Infrared Technology

-W HAT IS AN I NFRARED C AMERA ? -I NFRARED S PECTRUM -L ONG AND M ID W AVELENGTH I NFRARED -T HERMAL A DVANTAGE - I NFRARED I MAGING A PPLICATIONS

W HAT IS AN I NFRARED C AMERA ? A camera that sees part of the electromagnetic spectrum that is invisible to humans -- it sees heat, NOT light. Best at detecting humans and vehicles. Thermal Imaging: 8-12  m Visible light:.4  m -.7  m Infrared: 0.7  m - 20  m Cosmic Rays Gamma Rays X-rays Ultraviolet (UV) Infrared (IR) Microwaves Radar RadioBroadcast Band Ultraviolet (UV) Visible Light Infrared (IR) Short Wavelengths Long Wavelengths 1 Nanometer1 Micron1 Millimeter1 Meter1 Kilometer

I NFRARED S PECTRUM LWIR Thermal Camera 8 – 12 um The earths atmosphere only transmits some wavelengths of light, other wavelengths are absorbed. Visible Camera Night Mode operates out to 1000nm (1 um) Visible Cameras Visible Light Spectrum 400 – 750 nm (0.4 to 0.75 um)

Any object at a temperature > absolute zero will emit radiation but the wavelength of the emitted radiation depends on the temperature.

L ONG AND M ID W AVELENGTH I NFRARED MWIR (Mid-Wave Infrared) cameras use the 3-5  m band Known as MWIR (Mid-Wave Infra-Red). Used to measure high temperatures (>250 o C). Much more sensitive, long range. Require coolers (maintenance). Are expensive. LWIR (Long-Wave Infrared) cameras use the 8-12  m band No cooler, almost no maintenance Used to measure temperatures from -10 o C to 250 o C Much less expensive Optimized for detecting people and vehicles.

K EY DIFFERENCE : T HERMAL VS. V ISIBLE Visible Cameras Require Illumination Thermal Cameras Require NO Illumination Reflected Light Radiated Heat

Infrared Imaging Works in Tough Environmental Conditions Advantages over standard cameras include: – See in complete darkness – See through obscurants (smoke, dust, haze, etc.) – See through particulates (fog, rain, snow)

Thermal Advantage: Avoid Glare Thermal imagers see heat, not light This means they are not effected by bright lights like : standard cameras. They work equally well day and night Important: This is not just a night- time technology!

E XAMPLE : H EAT F LOW IN S ERVERS

Example: Liquid Levels in Tanks

Example: Airport Operations Visible Camera View Thermal Camera View

Thank you