Thermal infrared imaging

What is thermal imaging?

Thermography, or thermal imaging, is a type of infrared imaging. Thermographic cameras detect radiation in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum and produce images of that radiation. Since infrared radiation is emitted by all objects based on their temperatures, according to the black body radiation law, thermography makes it possible to "see" one's environment with or without visible illumination. The amount of radiation emitted by an object increases with temperature, therefore thermography allows one to see variations in temperature (hence the name). When viewed by thermographic camera, warm objects stand out well against cooler backgrounds; humans and other warm-blooded animals become easily visible against the environment, day or night. As a result, thermography's extensive use can historically be ascribed to the military and security services.

What is thermal imaging used for?

Thermal imaging photography finds many other uses. For example, firefighters use it to see through smoke, find persons, and localize the base of a fire. With thermal imaging, power lines maintenance technicians locate overheating joints and parts, a telltale sign of their failure, to eliminate potential hazards. Where thermal insulation becomes faulty, building construction technicians can see heat leaks to improve the efficiencies of cooling or heating air-conditioning. Thermal imaging cameras are also installed in some luxury cars to aid the driver. Some physiological activities, particularly responses, in human beings and other warm-blooded animals can also be monitored with thermographic imaging.

Discover which camera could suit your needs

XS-1.7-320	Bobcat-1.7-320
Flexibility for easy research	Uncooled smart InGaAs Camera
Cheetah-640CL	Xeva-2.5-320
World's fastest InGaAs CameraLink camera	Flexible SWIR imaging camera up till 2.5 µm
ONCA-MWIR-MCT-640	ONCA-MWIR-MCT-320
Stable measurements with thermal imaging	Stable measurements with thermal imaging
ONCA-MWIR-InSb-640	ONCA-MWIR-InSb-320
Stable measurements with thermal imaging	Stable measurements with thermal imaging
Gobi-384	Gobi-640
Uncooled smart thermal camera	High resolution uncooled thermal camera
Gobi-640-GigE	Onca-LWIR-QWIP-384
High resolution uncooled thermal camera	Stable long wave thermal imaging
Onca-(V)LWIR-MCT-384	XTM-640
Multispectral thermal camera	High resolution uncooled thermal infrared module