What is Infrared (IR)? (2024)

Last Updated : 30 Apr, 2024

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Infrared (IR) is a type of electromagnetic radiation that has longer wavelengths than visible light, making it invisible to the human eye. It falls just beyond the red portion of the visible spectrum, hence its name meaning “below red.” Infrared radiation can carry heat and is commonly emitted by objects like the sun, light bulbs, and even living beings.

This radiation is used in various applications, including remote controls, night-vision devices, and thermal imaging cameras, as well as in telecommunications and some scientific research

Characteristics of Infrared Radiation

Infrared radiation (IR) has several characteristics that make it important in many scientific and practical applications:

1. Wavelength Range: Infrared covers the wavelength range from about 700 nanometers (nm) to 1 millimeter (mm). This range falls just beyond the red part of the visible light spectrum and is typically divided into near, mid, and far infrared.

2. Heat Emission: Infrared radiation is often associated with heat, as it is emitted by objects based on their temperature. The warmer an object is, the more infrared radiation it emits, which is why thermal imaging cameras can detect humans and animals in the dark.

3. Transmission through Atmosphere: Infrared radiation can travel through fog, dust, and smoke more effectively than visible light, which is why it is used in certain imaging technologies.

4. Absorption and Emission by Materials: Many materials absorb and emit infrared radiation, which can be used to study the properties of these materials or to detect them in a given environment.

5. Wave and Particle Nature: Like all electromagnetic radiation, infrared exhibits both wave-like and particle-like properties. It can be described as waves of energy or as streams of particles called photons.

6. Invisibility: Since its wavelengths are longer than those of visible light, infrared is invisible to the human eye. However, some IR wavelengths can be perceived as heat by skin.

7. Applications: Infrared has a wide range of applications including in remote controls, security systems, astronomy, weather forecasting, heating, wireless communication, and medical imaging, among others.

Infrared Radiation Wavelength and Frequency

We already know that the wavelength of infrared radiation is between 700 nm to 1 mm, which is between the red limit of the visible spectrum. But the following is the classification of bands based on the spectral range 1µm and 50µm:

  • 1µm to 3µm, which is known as Band I or Short Wave Infrared
  • 3µm to 5µm, which is known as the Band II or Middle Wave Infrared
  • 8µm to 14µm, which is known as the Band III or Long Wave Infrared
Near-infrared
  • The wavelength ranges from 0.75 to 1.4 micrometres.
  • This is used in material science, fibre optic communication, and in the medical field.
Short wavelength infrared
  • The wavelength ranges from 1.4 to 3 micrometres.
  • This is used in telecommunications and for military purposes.
Medium infrared
  • The wavelength ranges from 3 to 8 micrometres.
  • This is used in the chemical industry and in astronomy.
Long-wavelength infrared
  • The wavelength ranges from 8 to 15 micrometres.
  • Astronomical telescopes and optical fibre communications are possible with the help of long-wavelength infrared
Far infrared
  • The wavelength ranges from 15 to 1000 micrometres.
  • It is used mainly in the treatment of cancer therapy.

Properties of Infrared Waves

1. Wavelength Range

Infrared waves have wavelengths longer than those of visible light. They span from approximately700 nanometers (nm)(near the red edge of visible light) up to1 millimeter. While we can’t see them directly, certain IR wavelengths can be detected under specific conditions.

2. Thermal Radiation

Most of the thermal radiation emitted by objects near room temperature falls within the infrared range. This property is essential for applications likethermal imagingandnight vision.

3. Wave-Particle Duality

Like all electromagnetic radiation, IR exhibits both wave-like and particle-like behavior. IR photons carry energy and interact with matter, leading to phenomena such as absorption and emission.

4. Categories of Infrared

IR is divided into five categories based on wavelength:

Near-Infrared (NIR): Ranges from 700 nm to about 1400 nm. Used in optical communication and remote sensing.

Short-Wavelength Infrared (SWIR): Extends from 1400 nm to 3000 nm. Useful for material analysis.

Mid-Wavelength Infrared (MWIR): Spans 3000 nm to 8000 nm. Applied in thermal imaging and gas detection.

Long-Wavelength Infrared (LWIR): Covers 8000 nm to 15000 nm. Commonly used in surveillance and medical imaging.

Far-Infrared (FIR): Encompasses 15,000 nm to 1 mm. Relevant for astronomy and molecular vibrations.


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What is Infrared (IR)? (2024)

FAQs

What is the meaning of IR infrared? ›

Infrared radiation (IR), sometimes referred to simply as infrared, is a region of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum where wavelengths range from about 700 nanometers (nm) to 1 millimeter (mm). Infrared waves are longer than visible light waves but shorter than radio waves.

What is IR and how does it work? ›

How does infrared spectroscopy work? In its simplest terms, IR spectroscopy works by passing a beam of infrared light through a sample. When the beam interacts with different chemical species in the sample, it will provide enough energy to cause the bonds in those molecules to vibrate in a variety of different ways.

What is the function of infrared? ›

Infrared waves have longer wavelengths than visible light and can pass through dense regions of gas and dust in space with less scattering and absorption. Thus, infrared energy can also reveal objects in the universe that cannot be seen in visible light using optical telescopes.

What is infrared IR transmission? ›

Infrared networks transmit data through invisible light waves in the infrared spectrum, similar to a television remote control. Infrared (IR) networks operate in a similar way to wireless networks, but instead of using radio waves, they use light waves in the infrared spectrum to transmit and receive data.

What is IR and what is it used for? ›

Infrared Spectroscopy (IR) is useful for the identification of organic compounds. Through the use of a specialized microscope, IR can be performed on samples as small as 10 μm and is an important microanalytical technique. Molecular bonds vibrate at characteristic frequencies.

What is IR and its meaning? ›

International Relations (IR) refers to the study of interactions between nations, states, and other actors on the global stage. It encompasses a broad range of topics, including diplomacy, foreign policy, conflict resolution, globalization, and international law.

What does an IR tell you? ›

IR is most useful in providing information about the presence or absence of specific functional groups. IR can provide a molecular fingerprint that can be used when comparing samples. If two pure samples display the same IR spectrum it can be argued that they are the same compound.

What does an IR device do? ›

An infrared blaster (IR blaster) is a device that relays commands from a remote control to one or more devices that require infra-red remote control. For instance, it may also allow radio-frequency-based (RF) remotes (including those using Bluetooth) to control infra-red-based components.

What does the IR function do? ›

The investor relations (IR) department is a division of a business, usually a public company, whose job it is to provide investors with an accurate account of company affairs. This helps private and institutional investors make informed decisions on whether to invest in the company.

What does infrared do to the body? ›

Infrared light is delivered to the site of injury or inflammation at certain wavelengths, promoting cell repair. The key characteristic of infrared light is its ability to penetrate even the deep layers of the skin, providing better pain relief. Also, infrared light is safe, natural, non-invasive, and painless.

Who should not use infrared therapy? ›

If you have an insensitivity to heat, have a fever, have a condition that inhibits your ability to sweat or have a pacemaker or defibrillator – we don't recommend using an infrared sauna.

Why do we need infrared? ›

Infrared light is one of the most useful forms of electromagnetic radiation. Where there is insufficient visible light, infrared enables night vision and low light devices for cameras. Infrared signals are used in certain types of data communication including television remote controls.

How is infrared used in everyday life? ›

More and more infrared-systems are also used for heating purposes in form of panels or foils, fixed to the walls or to the ceiling. Other applications are infrared cameras, night vision devices, infrared remote controls and infrared ports for computers. Application in daily life and technology: Laser.

What does IR light detect? ›

An infrared camera detects the thermal energy or heat emitted by the scene being observed and converts it into an electronic signal. This signal is then processed to produce an image.

How can infrared radiation be detected if cannot be seen? ›

Answer: It can be detected by electronic sensors, such as those used in night-vision goggles and infrared cameras.

What does infrared IR sensor do? ›

An IR sensor can measure the heat of an object as well as detects the motion. Usually, in the infrared spectrum, all the objects radiate some form of thermal radiation. These types of radiations are invisible to our eyes, but infrared sensor can detect these radiations.

What is the IR signal on a TV remote? ›

The signal between a remote control handset and the device it controls consists of pulses of infrared light, which is invisible to the human eye but can be seen through a digital camera, video camera or phone camera.

What does IR stand for in IR spectrum? ›

Infrared Spectroscopy (IR) – Triggering molecular vibrations through irradiation with infrared light. Provides mostly information about the presence or absence of certain functional groups. 3. Mass spectrometry – Bombardment of the sample with electrons and detection of resulting molecular fragments.

What does literally infrared mean? ›

The term Infrared means “beyond red”. Thermography is defined as “temperature picture”. So, by definition, infrared thermography means a “beyond red temperature picture.” Viewing the infrared image captured on a Fluke TiS20+ Thermal Imaging Camera.

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