Hobbies
Thermal Cameras by Amit Salkar
[Jun 20, 2008]
Thermal cameras are devices that form images using infrared radiation which is like a common camera that forms an image using visible light. These cameras are also known as FLIR (Forward Looking InfraRed) or an infrared camera. These cameras operate in wavelengths of about 14,000 nm (14 µm) instead of the 450-750 nanometer range of the visible light camera.
Thermal cameras are being increasingly used in applications such as border security, high value site protection, industrial security, perimeter security, force protection, coastal surveillance, deployable security, asset surveillance, port security, airport security and urban surveillance. A thermal camera converts the thermal energy emitted from a body into a visible image. This image is then represented as a thermograph that is a picture of heat.
Thermal cameras are much more expensive than the visible-spectrum cameras. It is the process of capturing the heat from an object, which is undetectable to the human eye, and converting it into an image that can be observed. This process does not require any light and can function perfectly even if the surrounding lighting conditions is bright or dim. These cameras provide added vision within the infrared spectrum which in turn broadens the vision of objects viewed. In other words, thermal cameras help in seeing the difference in thermal temperature of objects viewed. These cameras also help in detecting and interpreting emissions and also provide users with images, even in conditions of low-visibility or complete darkness.