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Infrared Radiation

Infrared radiation is electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light but shorter than radio waves or microwaves. Red is the color of visible light with the longest wavelength; infra-red is literally below red. It is divided into near, far, and mid infrared, and its wavelengths are between 750 nm and 1 mm.

Near-infrared is 0.75–1.4 :m in wavelength and is often used in fiberoptic communication because it has very low loss of coherency in these fibers. Far-infrared is sometimes used in lasers. All types of infrared are used in many other applications such as remote control devices and radar.

Infrared radiation is often popularly known as heat radiation; this is incorrect, as all electromagnetic waves heat surfaces. Infrared light provides about fifty percent of the heat on earth, with the rest provided by visible light. However, objects at room temperature emit waves in the infrared spectrum, which makes it very valuable for things like night-vision goggles. There are also several telecommunications bands in infrared ranges, used primarily in fiberoptics.

Web Resources On Infrared Radiation

Infrared Radiation - Warmth From The Cold of Space
Infrared Radiation

Book Resources On Infrared Radiation

Tuning in to Nature: Solar Energy, Infrared Radiation, & the Insect Communication System by Philip S. Callahan
Infrared radiation by Henry L. Hackforth

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