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Infrared (IR; sometimes called infrared light) is electromagnetic radiation (EMR) with wavelengths longer than that of visible light but shorter than microwaves. The infrared spectral band begins with waves that are just longer than those of red light (the longest waves in the visible spectrum ), so IR is invisible to the human eye.
Different sources may use different boundaries to define the far infrared range. For instance, astronomers often define it as wavelengths between 25 μm and 350 μm. [3] Infrared photons possess significantly lower energy than photons in the visible light spectrum, with tens to hundreds of times less energy. [4]
Above infrared in frequency comes visible light. The Sun emits its peak power in the visible region, although integrating the entire emission power spectrum through all wavelengths shows that the Sun emits slightly more infrared than visible light. [15] By definition, visible light is the part of the EM spectrum the human eye is the most ...
Infrared lamps are also used for some night vision devices where visible light would be objectionable. Infrared lamp sources are used in certain scientific and industrial instrument for chemical analysis of liquids and gases; for example, the pollutant sulfur dioxide in air can be measured using its infrared absorption characteristics.
Researchers compressed infrared light to 10% of its wavelength using a thin strontium titanate film, paving the way for advanced infrared imaging.
Infrared or red radiation from a common household radiator or electric heater is an example of thermal radiation, as is the heat emitted by an operating incandescent light bulb. Thermal radiation is generated when energy from the movement of charged particles within atoms is converted to electromagnetic radiation.
Optical radiation is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths between 100 nm and 1 mm. [1] [2] This range includes visible light, infrared light, and part of the ultraviolet spectrum. [3] Optical radiation is non-ionizing, [4] and can be focused with lenses and manipulated by other optical elements.
Infrared radiation that one can feel emanating from a household heater, infra-red heat lamp, or kitchen oven are examples of thermal radiation, as is the IR and visible light emitted by a glowing incandescent light bulb (not hot enough to emit the blue high frequencies and therefore appearing yellowish; fluorescent lamps are not thermal and can ...