Infrared Sensors & Its Applications

Kamalrajsinh K. Sodha
080380107047

Computer Department, Gujarat Technological University R.K. College of Engg. & Tech. , Rajkot , India
4kamalraj7@gmail.com

Abstract--- Objects generally emit infrared radiation across

a spectrum of wavelengths, but only a specific region of the spectrum is of interest because sensors are usually designed only to collect radiation within a specific bandwidth. As a result, the infrared band is often subdivided into smaller sections.The name means below red, the Latin infra meaning "below". Red is the color of the longest wavelengths of visible light. Infrared light has a longer wavelength (and so a lower frequency) than that of red light visible to humans, hence the literal meaning of below red.
Keywords--- Division scheme, meteorology, climatology, tracking, astronomy

These rays were discovered in 1800 by William Herschel, a British musician and astronomer, when he observed that a thermometer placed just outside the visible spectrum of sunlight shows a greater increase in temperature than one placed in the red region.The Infrared region of the spectrum lies beyond the red end of the visible range, with wavelengths between 0.01 to 7.5x10-5 cm.Instruments for detecting infrared radiation include heat-sensitive devices such as thermocouple detectors, bolometers, photovoltaic cells, and photoconductors. Infrared radiation is absorbed and emitted by the movement (rotations and vibrations) of chemically bonded atoms or groups of atoms of many materials. Some of the materials that absorb infrared radiation are window glass, water and also our atmosphere. Although invisible to the eye, longer infrared radiation can be detected as warmth by the skin. It forms nearly 50% of the Sun's radiant energy, with major portion of the rest being in the visible region. One of the major uses of infrared rays is Infrared photography. Infrared rays are also reflected off objects, just as visible light. Special films or sensors which have the property to 'see in the dark' are used to observe these rays, which enhance different areas according to their heat emission. For e.g., in an infrared photograph, blue sky and water appear nearly black, whereas unexposed skin shows up brightly.Infrared photography is used to detect pathological tissue growths (thermography) and defects in electronic systems and circuits (due to their increased emission of heat). They can also be used to detect heat leaks in houses and forest fires. Shorter infrared rays are used in remote controls. Physiotherapists use infrared radiation to warm damaged muscles and so speed up healing. Infrared light can also be sent down optical fibres for cable television and phone links.Atmospheric haze and certain pollutants that scatter visible light are nearly transparent to parts of the infrared spectrum (scattering efficiency increases with the fourth power of the frequency). Infrared photography of distant objects from the air takes advantage of this phenomenon, to observe cosmic objects through large clouds of interstellar dust. However, since water vapour, O3 and CO2 in the atmosphere absorb large parts of the infrared spectrum, most infrared astronomical observations are carried out at high altitudes, with the help of balloons, rockets and space-crafts.

I.

INTRODUCTION

Infrared (IR) light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength between 0.7 and 300 micrometres, which equates to a frequency range between approximately 1 and 430 THz. IR wavelengths are longer than that of visible light, but shorter than that of terahertz radiation microwaves. Bright sunlight provides an irradiance of just over 1 kilowatt per square meter at sea level. Of this energy, 527 watts is infrared radiation, 445 watts is visible light, and 32 watts is ultraviolet radiation. An infrared sensor is an electronic device that emits and/or detects infrared radiation in order to sense some aspect of its surroundings. Infrared sensors can measure the heat of an object, as well as detect motion. Many of these types of sensors only measure infrared radiation, rather than emitting it, and thus are known as passive infrared (PIR) sensors. II. HISTORY

The discovery of infrared radiation is ascribed to William Herschel, the astronomer, in the early 19th century. Herschel published his results in 1800 before the Royal Society of London. Herschel used a prism to refract light from the sun and detected the infrared, beyond the red part of the spectrum, through an increase in the temperature recorded on a thermometer. He was surprised at the result and called them "Calorific Rays". The term 'Infrared' did not appear until late in the 19th century.

The infrared absorption and emission characteristics of materials yield important information about the size, shape, and chemical bonding of molecules, atoms and ions present in them. Infrared spectroscopy is a powerful tool for determining the internal structure of molecules and for identifying the amounts of known species in a given sample. Infrared rays emitted by a given substance indicate the difference of some of the internal energy states, which depend on atomic weight and other atomic properties. Hence, besides for identification, infrared rays can also be used to determine the amount of a known material in a given substance. Infrared spectroscopy is also used to examine archaeological specimens and for detecting forgeries of art and other objects, which, under visible light, resemble the original.Infrared radiation plays an important role in heat transfer and is integral to the greenhouse effect. Powerful infrared radiations can be artificially prepared, by using gases like Carbon dioxide and Carbon mono-oxide, and can be used in light radar systems and to modify chemical reactions.Virtually every object at the Earth's surface emits electromagnetic radiation primarily in the infrared region of the spectrum. Man-made sources of infrared radiation include, besides hot objects, infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and lasers, which are used in some fibre-optic communication systems and light radar systems respectively.Other applications of infrared light include its use in remote controls, automatic self-focusing cameras, security alarm systems, and night-vision optical instruments. III. ORIGINS OF THE TERM

A commonly used sub-division scheme is: Near-infrared (NIR, IR-A DIN): 0.75-1.4 m in wavelength, defined by the water absorption, and commonly used in fiber optic telecommunication because of low attenuation losses in the SiO2 glass (silica) medium. Image intensifiers are sensitive to this area of the spectrum. Examples include night vision devices such as night vision goggles. Short-wavelength infrared (SWIR, IR-B DIN): 1.43 m, water absorption increases significantly at 1,450 nm. The 1,530 to 1,560 nm range is the dominant spectral region for long-distance telecommunications. Mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR, IR-C DIN) also called intermediate infrared (IIR): 3-8 m. In guided missile technology the 3-5 m portion of this band is the atmospheric window in which the homing heads of passive IR 'heat seeking' missiles are designed to work, homing on to the IR signature of the target aircraft, typically the jet engine exhaust plume. Long-wavelength infrared (LWIR, IR-C DIN): 8 15 m. This is the "thermal imaging" region, in which sensors can obtain a completely passive picture of the outside world based on thermal emissions only and requiring no external light or thermal source such as the sun, moon or infrared illuminator. Forward-looking infrared (FLIR) systems use this area of the spectrum. Sometimes also called the "far infrared."

The name means below red, the Latin infra meaning "below". Red is the color of the longest wavelengths of visible light. Infrared light has a longer wavelength (and so a lower frequency) than that of red light visible to humans, hence the literal meaning of below red. IV. DIVISION SCHEME

Far infrared (FIR): 15 - 1,000 m (see also far infrared laser). NIR and SWIR is sometimes called "reflected infrared" while MWIR and LWIR is sometimes referred to as "thermal infrared." Due to the nature of the blackbody radiation curves, typical 'hot' objects, such as exhaust pipes, often appear brighter in the MW compared to the same object viewed in the LW. B. ISO 20473 scheme: Designation Abbreviation Wavelength Near Infrared NIR 0.78 - 3 m Mid Infrared MIR 3 - 50 m Far Infrared FIR 50 - 1000 m

Objects generally emit infrared radiation across a spectrum of wavelengths, but only a specific region of the spectrum is of interest because sensors are usually designed only to collect radiation within a specific bandwidth. As a result, the infrared band is often subdivided into smaller sections. A. CIE division scheme: The International Commission on Illumination (CIE) recommended the division of infrared radiation into the following three bands: IR-A: 700 nm1400 nm (0.7 m 1.4 m) IR-B: 1400 nm3000 nm (1.4 m 3 m) IR-C: 3000 nm1 mm (3 m 1000 m)

C. Astronomy division scheme: Astronomers typically divide the infrared spectrum as follows: Designation Abbreviation Wavelength

Near Infrared Mid Infrared Far Infrared

NIR MIR FIR

(0.7-1) to 5 m 5 to (25-40) m (25-40) to (200-350) m.

These divisions are not precise and can vary depending on the publication. The three regions are used for observation of different temperature ranges, and hence different environments in space. D. Sensor response division scheme:

The boundary between visible and infrared light is not precisely defined. The human eye is markedly less sensitive to light above 700 nm wavelength, so longer wavelengths make insignificant contributions to scenes illuminated by common light sources. But particularly intense light (e.g., from lasers, or from bright daylight with the visible light removed by colored gels) can be detected up to approximately 780 nm, and will be perceived as red light, although sources of up to 880 nm can be seen as a dull red glow in intense sources. The onset of infrared is defined (according to different standards) at various values typically between 700 nm and 800 nm. F. Telecommunication bands in the infrared: In optical communications, the part of the infrared spectrum that is used is divided into seven bands based on availability of light sources transmitting/absorbing materials (fibers) and detectors: Band O band E band S band C band L band U band Descriptor Original Extended Short wavelength Conventional Long wavelength Ultralong wavelength Wavelength range 12601360 nm 13601460 nm 14601530 nm 15301565 nm 15651625 nm 16251675 nm

Fig.1 Plot of atmospheric transmittance in part of the infrared region.

E. A third scheme divides up the band based on the response of various detectors: Near infrared: from 0.7 to 1.0 micrometers (from the approximate end of the response of the human eye to that of silicon). Short-wave infrared: 1.0 to 3 micrometers (from the cut off of silicon to that of the MWIR atmospheric window. InGaAs covers to about 1.8 micrometers; the less sensitive lead salts cover this region. Mid-wave infrared: 3 to 5 micrometers (defined by the atmospheric window and covered by Indium antimonide [InSb] and HgCdTe and partially by lead selenide [PbSe]). Long-wave infrared: 8 to 12, or 7 to 14 micrometers: the atmospheric window (Covered by HgCdTe and microbolometers). Very-long wave infrared (VLWIR): 12 to about 30 micrometers, covered by doped silicon. These divisions are justified by the different human response to this radiation: near infrared is the region closest in wavelength to the radiation detectable by the human eye, mid and far infrared are progressively further from the visible spectrum. Other definitions follow different physical mechanisms (emission peaks, vs. bands, water absorption) and the newest follow technical reasons (The common silicon detectors are sensitive to about 1,050 nm, while InGaAs'.sensitivity starts around 950 nm and ends between 1,700 and 2,600 nm, depending on the specific configuration). Unfortunately, international standards for these specifications are not currently available.

The C-band is the dominant band for long-distance telecommunication networks. The S and L bands are based on less well established technology, and are not as widely deployed. G. Heat: 1) Maune article:Thermal radiation: Infrared radiation is popularly known as "heat" or sometimes known as "heat radiation", since many people attribute all radiant heating to infrared light and/or all infrared radiation to heating. This is a widespread misconception, since light and electromagnetic waves of any frequency will heat surfaces that absorb them. Infrared light from the Sun only accounts for 49%[11] of the heating of the Earth, with the rest being caused by visible light that is absorbed then re-radiated at longer wavelengths. Visible light or ultraviolet-emitting lasers can char paper and incandescently hot objects emit visible radiation. It is true that objects at room temperature will emit radiation mostly concentrated in the 8 to 25 micrometer band, but this is not distinct from the emission of visible light by incandescent objects and ultraviolet by even hotter objects (see black body and Wien's displacement law). Heat is energy in transient form that flows due to temperature difference. Unlike heat transmitted by thermal conduction or thermal convection, radiation can propagate through a vacuum. The concept of emissivity is important in understanding the infrared emissions of objects. This is a property of a surface

which describes ideal of a black same physical temperature in emissivities.

how its thermal emissions deviate from the body. To further explain, two objects at the temperature will not 'appear' the same an infrared image if they have differing

the gray shaded thermal images can be converted to color for easier identification of desired information. VI. CLIMATOLOGY In the field of climatology, atmospheric infrared radiation is monitored to detect trends in the energy exchange between the earth and the atmosphere. These trends provide information on long term changes in the Earth's climate. It is one of the primary parameters studied in research into global warming together with solar radiation.A pyrgeometer is utilized in this field of research to perform continuous outdoor measurements. This is a broadband infrared radiometer with sensitivity for infrared radiation between approximately 4.5 m and 50 m. VII. ASTRONOMY

V.

METEOROLOGY

Fig. 2 IR Satellite picture

IR Satellite picture taken 1315 Z on 15th October 2006. A frontal system can be seen in the Gulf of Mexico with embedded Cumulonimbus cloud. Shallower Cumulus and Stratocumulus can be seen off the Eastern Seaboard. Weather satellites equipped with scanning radiometers produce thermal or infrared images which can then enable a trained analyst to determine cloud heights and types, to calculate land and surface water temperatures, and to locate ocean surface features. The scanning is typically in the range 10.3-12.5 m (IR4 and IR5 channels). High, cold ice clouds such as Cirrus or Cumulonimbus show up bright white, lower warmer clouds such as Stratus or Stratocumulus show up as grey with intermediate clouds shaded accordingly. Hot land surfaces will show up as dark grey or black. One disadvantage of infrared imagery is that low cloud such as stratus or fog can be a similar temperature to the surrounding land or sea surface and does not show up. However, using the difference in brightness of the IR4 channel (10.3-11.5 m) and the near-infrared channel (1.581.64 m), low cloud can be distinguished, producing a fog satellite picture. The main advantage of infrared is that images can be produced at night, allowing a continuous sequence of weather to be studied. These infrared pictures can depict ocean eddies or vortices and map currents such as the Gulf Stream which are valuable to the shipping industry. Fishermen and farmers are interested in knowing land and water temperatures to protect their crops against frost or increase their catch from the sea. Even El Nio phenomena can be spotted. Using color-digitized techniques,

The Spitzer Space Telescope is a dedicated infrared space observatory currently in orbit around the Sun. NASA image. Main articles: infrared astronomy and far infrared astronomy.Astronomers observe objects in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum using optical components, including mirrors, lenses and solid state digital detectors. For this reason it is classified as part of optical astronomy. To form an image, the components of an infrared telescope need to be carefully shielded from heat sources, and the detectors are chilled using liquid helium. The sensitivity of Earth-based infrared telescopes is significantly limited by water vapor in the atmosphere, which absorbs a portion of the infrared radiation arriving from space outside of selected atmospheric windows. This limitation can be partially alleviated by placing the telescope observatory at a high altitude, or by carrying the telescope aloft with a balloon or an aircraft. Space telescopes do not suffer from this handicap, and so outer space is considered the ideal location for infrared astronomy. The infrared portion of the spectrum has several useful benefits for astronomers. Cold, dark molecular clouds of gas and dust in our galaxy will glow with radiated heat as they are irradiated by imbedded stars. Infrared can also be used to detect protostars before they begin to emit visible light. Stars emit a smaller portion of their energy in the infrared spectrum, so nearby cool objects such as planets can be more readily detected. (In the visible light spectrum, the glare from the star will drown out the reflected light from a planet.) Infrared light is also useful for observing the cores of active galaxies which are often cloaked in gas and dust. Distant galaxies with a high redshift will have the peak portion of their spectrum shifted toward longer wavelengths, so they are more readily observed in the infrared.

interference can wash out the image. There is also a technique called 'T-ray' imaging, which is imaging using far infrared or terahertz radiation. Lack of bright sources makes terahertz photography technically more challenging than most other infrared imaging techniques. Recently T-ray imaging has been of considerable interest due to a number of new developments such as terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. IX. TRACKING Infrared tracking, also known as infrared homing, refers to a passive missile guidance system which uses the emission from a target of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared part of the spectrum to track it. Missiles which use infrared seeking are often referred to as "heat-seekers", since infrared (IR) is just below the visible spectrum of light in frequency and is radiated strongly by hot bodies. Many objects such as people, vehicle engines, and aircraft generate and retain heat, and as such, are especially visible in the infrared wavelengths of light compared to objects in the background X. HEATING

Fig 3. Spitzer Space Telescope

VIII.

OTHER IMAGING

Infrared radiation can be used as a deliberate heating source. For example it is used in infrared saunas to heat the occupants, and also to remove ice from the wings of aircraft (de-icing). FIR is also gaining popularity as a safe method of natural health care & physiotherapy. Infrared can be used in cooking and heating food as it predominantly heats the opaque, absorbent objects, rather than the air around them. Infrared heating is also becoming more popular in industrial manufacturing processes, e.g. curing of coatings, forming of plastics, annealing, plastic welding, print drying. In these applications, infrared heaters replace convection ovens and contact heating. Efficiency is achieved by matching the wavelength of the infrared heater to the absorption characteristics of the material.

XI.

COMMUNICATIONS

Fig.4 Infrared light from the LED of an Xbox 360 remote control as seen by a digital camera.

In infrared photography, infrared filters are used to capture the near-infrared spectrum. Digital cameras often use infrared blockers. Cheaper digital cameras and camera phones have less effective filters and can "see" intense near-infrared, appearing as a bright purple-white color. This is especially pronounced when taking pictures of subjects near IR-bright areas (such as near a lamp), where the resulting infrared

IR data transmission is also employed in short-range communication among computer peripherals and personal digital assistants. These devices usually conform to standards published by IrDA, the Infrared Data Association. Remote controls and IrDA devices use infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to emit infrared radiation which is focused by a plastic lens into a narrow beam. The beam is modulated, i.e. switched on and off, to encode the data. The receiver uses a silicon photodiode to convert the infrared radiation to an electric current. It responds only to the rapidly pulsing signal created by the transmitter, and filters out slowly changing infrared radiation from ambient light. Infrared communications are useful for indoor use in areas of high population density. IR does not penetrate walls and so does not interfere with other devices in adjoining rooms. Infrared is the most common way for remote controls to command appliances. Free space optical communication using infrared lasers can be a relatively inexpensive way to install a communications link in an urban area operating at up to 4 gigabit/s, compared to the cost of burying fiber optic cable.Infrared lasers are used to provide the light for optical fiber communications systems. Infrared light with a wavelength around 1,330 nm (least dispersion) or 1,550 nm (best transmission) are the best choices for standard silica fibers.IR data transmission of encoded audio versions of printed signs is being researched as an aid for visually impaired people through the RIAS (Remote Infrared Audible Signage) project. XII. SPECTROSCOPY

For many years we were satisfied with the calculated value of carbon dioxide supplied by the average flue gas analyser. One of the very simple reasons for this was that there was no low cost method of measuring CO2. The direct measurement of CO2 was attempted by some manufacturers of electrochemical sensors, but without significant success. Carbon dioxide proved to be very difficult to measure in this way. The Kyoto Protocol and an increased public interest in carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas generally fuelled research into affordable methods of assessing the concentration of CO2. Of course, there have always been mass spectrometers and other laboratory equipment perfectly capable of carrying out these measurements, but that is not really something you can carry with you into the field! The price is just slightly outside the range of most companies interested in flue gas analysis.

Infrared vibrational spectroscopy (see also near infrared spectroscopy) is a technique which can be used to identify molecules by analysis of their constituent bonds. Each chemical bond in a molecule vibrates at a frequency which is characteristic of that bond. A group of atoms in a molecule (e.g. CH2) may have multiple modes of oscillation caused by the stretching and bending motions of the group as a whole. If an oscillation leads to a change in dipole in the molecule, then it will absorb a photon which has the same frequency. The vibrational frequencies of most molecules correspond to the frequencies of infrared light. Typically, the technique is used to study organic compounds using light radiation from 4000 400 cm1, the mid-infrared. A spectrum of all the frequencies of absorption in a sample is recorded. This can be used to gain information about the sample composition in terms of chemical groups present and also its purity (for example a wet sample will show a broad O-H absorption around 3200 cm1). XIII. INFRARED SENSORS

Fig.5 D01 kurz offen 600

The advent of small, low cost infrared sensors such as those produced by madur electronics has changed all that and the IR sensor used for carbon dioxide fits easily inside the existing flue gas analyser housing with no mechanical changes. The advantages of directly measuring CO2 are perhaps not instantly apparent: This is essential in cases where the fuel cannot be adequately defined or no information is available. Oil refineries burning process gas are one good example, as are waste incinerators. Biogas plants need the measurement of carbon dioxide for two reasons: To assess the quality of the biogas before combustion, and to measure the products after combustion. Since the biogas contains some CO2 anyway, there is no way of calculating the quantity produced after combustion. The carbon dioxide present in the biogas is not a product of combustion, and should not be included in the combustion gas equation.

Most of us are by now familiar with the applications where an infrared sensor is used. This is just a short article to sum it up for the record.

A. Carbon dioxide CO2:

Fig.6 D01 kurz offen 600

B. Methane CH4:
It is not readily obvious that methane will be present in flue gases from burner systems. It is a highly combustible gas and there is no reason to expect CH4 to survive at high temperatures in the presence of oxygen. The fact is, it does, if only in small quantities. There was earlier no efficient way of measuring the concentration of methane in these gases. The only technology commonly available was the Pellistor sensor, which is a highly inaccurate and not particularly reliable method of measuring CH4. The Pellistor sensor operates by catalytically burning all carbon compounds found in the gas and comparing the temperature between the non-catalyst side and the catalyst side of a pair of elements. The catalyst side will have a higher temperature and hence higher resistance than the non-catalyst side. This means that the two elements must be correctly balanced as a Wheatstone bridge measuring circuit before use, since the differences are very small. Whilst the sensor will only catalytically burn carbon compounds such as methane and carbon monoxide, the initiation of combustion will automatically affect all other combustible compounds such as H2S which might be present.

vapour as well as CH4. Although it is generally believed that an infrared sensor is completely dedicated to one component, all the alkanes have a wavelength similar to methane and the sensor is so constructed that it will react to their presence as well. Naturally, since it is calibrated for methane, the reaction to the longer chain alkanes will not be as accurate, but the correspondence is still better than that produced by a Pellistor sensor. Methane is now recognised as one of the major contributors to the greenhouse effect, so a measurement of CH4 is now essential.
Fig.8 Photon sensor

C. Sulphur dioxide SO2:

It is possible to measure sulphur dioxide with electrochemical sensors relatively accurately, but there are certain disadvantages. SO2 measurement can also be carried out using infrared or ultraviolet sensors, both types of sulphur dioxide sensor being roughly equal in popularity. One of the major problems with SO2 is its extremely corrosive nature and the affinity for sulphur dioxide for water. The presence of any condensate will quickly remove all traces of SO2 from a measuring system. In addition, there is an absorption line for water very near the line for SO2. This means that the presence of any water vapour will affect the low readings of sulphur dioxide to be expected. The infrared sensor for sulphur dioxide has the advantage of lower cost, but at the expense of greater size. Nevertheless, infrared sensors are one of the preferred methods of measuring SO2 in the field. D. Nitric oxide NO: Roughly the same applies for nitric oxide as for sulphur dioxide. It is quite possible to measure it reasonably accurately with electrochemical sensors, but infrared measurement can also be carried out, or may be required. There is, regrettably, exactly the same problem with interference from water vapour as well. Nitric oxide is usually

Fig.7 D01 5 800

The result of this is an unstable cross-sensitivity: In the presence of methane or carbon monoxide there is an crosssensitivity to other combustibles, without these gases there is no answer from the sensor. This type of cross-sensitivity is impossible to predict and can not be removed by calculation. The Pellistor sensor is highly susceptible to poisoning by sulphur dioxide, SO2. The presence of this gas will cause the sensor to fail in a very short time. Special tubing must also be used since the commonly used silicone tubing will also cause the sensor to lose sensitivity and fail prematurely. Furthermore, the Pellistor sensor consists of two very thin wires exposed to the gas being measured. Vibration will cause fluctuations in the readings and failure is common after slight knocks. The Pellistor sensor is designed for fixed installation for safety measurement, which it does very well. A Pellistor is not a sensor for portable equipment. Methane can only really be effectively measured using a dedicated infrared sensor. Care must be taken to dry the gas efficiently, since the sensor will react slightly to the presence of water

measured at low concentrations in flue gas, and for this reason it is important to remove practically all the water from the sample stream. The Peltier dryer cannot cope with this level of drying, so the best option for portable equipment is a permeation dryer. Stationary equipment will generally use a refrigeration dryer, but the permeation dryer is here also an option. As can be seen, these sensors are considerably longer than the sensors for methane or carbon dioxide. This is essential to give the necessary resolution to measure down to single parts per million. E. General infrared measurement: The infrared sensors manufactured by madur work on the NDIR (Non Dispersive InfraRed) principle. Light of a certain wavelength is absorbed by a particular gas, the amount of absorption proportional to the number of molecules of the gas present in the path of the light. By measurement of this infrared absorption the concentration of the gas can be determined with great accuracy. XIV. THERMOGRAPHY

Active-infrared night vision : the camera illuminates the scene at infrared wavelengths invisible to the human eye. Despite a dark back-lit scene, active-infrared night vision delivers identifying details, as seen on the display monitor.

Fig.10 Active infrared night vision

Fig.9 A thermographic image of a dog

Infrared radiation can be used to remotely determine the temperature of objects (if the emissivity is known). This is termed thermography, or in the case of very hot objects in the NIR or visible it is termed pyrometry. Thermography (thermal imaging) is mainly used in military and industrial applications but the technology is reaching the public market in the form of infrared cameras on cars due to the massively reduced production costs. Thermographic cameras detect radiation in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum (roughly 90014,000 nanometers or 0.914 m) 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).

Infrared is used in night vision equipment when there is insufficient visible light to see. Night vision devices operate through a process involving the conversion of ambient light photons into electrons which are then amplified by a chemical and electrical process and then converted back into visible light.[13] Infrared light sources can be used to augment the available ambient light for conversion by night vision devices, increasing in-the-dark visibility without actually using a visible light source. The use of infrared light and night vision devices should not be confused with thermal imaging which creates images based on differences in surface temperature by detecting infrared radiation (heat) that emanates from objects and their surrounding environment. XVI. INFRARED SENSOR

A. Infrared Sensor WX-LS100:

XV.

NIGHT VISION

Fig.11 Infrared sensor

1) Easy to Install: The dome infrared sensor covers 360 horizontal degrees.A single Infrared Sensor WX-LS100 covers a wide area with 360 horizontal degrees. An area of a standard size can be covered by a single sensor. Using a Infrared Sensor Coupler WX-LC10, up to four sensors can be used to support the entire area.

detects wavelength from 2 to 7m at room temperature, suitable for human body detection, proximity sensing, non-contact thermometry, and NDIR gas sensing. Please contact our sales department for more details.

Fig.13 IR10100

1)
Fig.12
The dome infrared sensor covers 360 horizontal degrees.

Features:

The operation range of a dome infrared sensor is approx. 8 m in radius. It may vary depending on environmental conditions in the room. The reception range is approx. 20 m (Lineof-sight distance along the optical axis).

Very small and thin plastic-molded package (2.7mm1.9mm0.4mm) Room temperature operation without cooling Sensitivity to mid-infrared range: 2 to 7m High speed response: up to 1MHz Low noise Low power consumption

2)

WX-LS100 Specifications:

Power 22 V DC (Power source: WX-LR100) Current 20 mA Consumption Infrared Ray 850 nm Wavelength Sensor Output 75 F Type Connector Receiving Channel Ch1: 2.3 MHz, Ch2: 2.8 MHz, Ch3: 3.2 (Sub Carrier MHz, Ch4: 3.8 MHz Frequencies) Max. 113.5 mm 34.5 mm (H), Dimensions excluding a projection for F type connector Weight Approx. 0.2 kg Black color / Infrared ray transmission Finish acrylic resin

2)

Applications: Non-contact thermometry: ear thermometers, microwave ovens, FA process control, air conditioners, etc. Human body detection: lighting, personal computer displays, mobile phones, game, etc. NDIR gas sensing: indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring, building air conditioning, etc. XVII. INFRARED SENSOR CARDS

B. Infrared Sensor IR10100:

The IR10100 is the smallest photovoltaic mid- infrared sensor, based on an evolutionary InSb p-i-n structure. It

Universal IR sensor card type ISC-4-ALL for IR-light visualisation from 700 nm up to 1700 nm. Four extremly sensitive IR converting fields with each 19 x 19 mm size. Card must be loaded with daylight or artificial light. Can be used at normal room light conditions due to highest ever noted efficiency and brightness.

XIX.
[1] [2] [3]

REFERENCES

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrared http://ikalogic.com/ir_prox_sensors.php http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-infrared-sensor.html

[4]

http://www.habmigern2003.info/PDF/InfraredSensors_A4.pdf [5] http://www.pdftop.com/view/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5oYWJtaWdlcm4 yMDAzLmluZm8vUERGL0luZnJhcmVkLVNlbnNvcnNfQTQuc GRm

Fig.14 Sensor card

XVIII.

INFRARED ADVANTAGES

Low power requirements: therefore ideal for laptops, telephones, personal digital assistants Low circuitry costs: $2-$5 for the entire coding/decoding circuitry Simple circuitry: no special or proprietary hardware is required, can be incorporated into the integrated circuit of a product Higher security: directionality of the beam helps ensure that data isn't leaked or spilled to nearby devices as it's transmitted Portable Few international regulatory constraints: IrDA (Infrared Data Association) functional devices will ideally be usable by international travelers, no matter where they may be High noise immunity: not as likely to have interference from signals from other devices

Conclusion Infrared Rays are widely used rays.Today they find their applications and importance in each and every field.There is no field to name where infra red lacks behind. It is a cheap and universally used and accepted portion of Electromagnetic spectrum.it is natural source of free energy. Infra red division schemes are applied to divide the use of infrared among army,astronauts,commercial use and so on.When there are requirements of sensing or measuring any quantity Infra red comes is very handy and easy to use.In short Infrared rays are very much useful in practical application of daily use such as Thermography,night vision,climatology,etc.