THERMAL IMAGING

What is thermal imaging?

Thermal Imaging is the means by which

humans enable themselves to see in the
infrared portion of the spectrum of light.
Type of infra-red imaging science.
Also known as Thermography or Infra-red
Thermography.

Basics of Light

Energy is
inversely
proportional to
wavelength.
Violet has the
most energy and
red has the
least.

Infra-red region
Divided into three regions:I.

Near-Infrared Region:

II.

Closest to visible light.

Wavelengths ranging from 0.7 to 1.3 microns.

Mid-Infrared Region:

Wavelengths ranging from 1.3 to 3 microns.

for example: remote control

III. Far-Infrared Region:

Largest component of the infra-red spectrum

Wavelengths ranging from 3 to over 30 microns.
Also called as thermal infra-red region.

Physics of emissivity
Incident
light

Absorbed

Transmitted

Reflected

Incident Energy = Emitted Energy + Transmitted Energy +

Reflected Energy
100%= Emitted % + Reflected % +Transmitted %

Active & Passive Thermography

AT
Open Flame
Air stream
Current
Man-made light
Sunlight

PT
Induction heating
Pressure
Microwaves
Man-made light

Construction & Working

Construction and Working

1.)

EMR

Conversion to
Electricity

Electric
current

2.)

Electric
current

Amplification

Amplified
current

3.)

Amplified
current

Conversion to
EMR

EMR

Photo-Cathodes

A negatively charged electrode used for

light detection.
Coated with a photo-sensitive material
When struck by light, the absorbed energy
results in electron emission (Photo-electric
Effect)
Ex : Compounds of Ga, As, Cs, Sb, Na.

Photo-electric effect

The photoelectric effect is the emission, or

ejection, of electrons from the surface of,
generally, a metal in response to incident
light.

Photo Multiplier tubes

Extremely sensitive detectors of light that multiply

the current produced by incident light.

Temperature Calibration

Advantages

It shows a visual picture so temperatures over a large

area can be compared.
It is capable of catching moving targets in real time
It can be used to measure or observe in areas.
inaccessible or hazardous for other methods .
It can be used to find defects in shafts, pipes, and other
metal or plastic parts .
It can be used to see better in dark areas .

Limitations

Due to the low volume of thermal cameras, quality

cameras often have a high price range .
Images can be difficult to interpret accurately when
based upon certain objects, specifically objects with
erratic temperatures, although this problem is reduced in
active thermal imaging.
Accurate temperature measurements are hindered by
differing emissivities and reflections from other surface.
Most cameras have 2% accuracy or worse and are not
as accurate as contact methods.
Only able to directly detect surface temperatures.

Maintenance &
Monitoring

Maritime & Navigation

Medical Imaging

Applications
Volcanology &
Geological surveys

Research

Law enforcement

Night vision

Future applications

The latest trend in imaging systems is the combining of

imaging cameras to the power of the personal computer
(PC).
The electronics are contained on a card which can plug
directly into the computer and take advantage of the high
resolution display, processing capability and mass
storage. The camera connects directly to a port on the
computer.
The cost overhead associated with separate displays,
separate memory and enclosures is thus avoided.

References
1.

Infra-red Spectroscopy: Fundamentals and ApplicationsBarbara Stuart, John Wiley and Sons Ltd., Wiley Publications

2.

Hand book of Analytical Instruments- R.S. Khandpur, Tata

McGraw Hill Publishing Company Ltd.

3.

Biomedical Instrumentation- R.S. Khandpur, Tata McGraw Hill

Publishing Company
Ltd.

4.

Practical application of IR techniques Ricardo Vanzetti.

5.

Thermal Imaging techniques P.E Glaser

Thank you