how do infrared cameras work? Why can they see infrared light but we cant? What’s different in the lens of a camera to the lens in our eye?
In: Technology
Infrared cameras have little pixel sensors to detect infrared light, as opposed to visible light in a normal camera. The lens works similarly, but traditional lens glass absorbs IR light and so a special glass must be used.
Our eyes have four different kinds of cells for detecting light. These cells use chemical reactions that detect specific frequency ranges of light. When a normal camera is made, we try to give it three sensors to mimic the three cells/frequency ranges in our eyes that detect color. Thermal IR is beyond the range of what eye chemicals can detect, and so we can’t see it.
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