Infrared thermography

Infrared thermography maps surface temperatures by detecting infrared radiation emitted by objects. Its temperature estimates depend on surface emissivity, reflected radiation, and atmospheric effects.

Black-body radiation: Electromagnetic radiation emitted by an ideal absorber, with a spectrum determined by its temperature. It provides the physical reference for relating emitted infrared radiation to temperature.
Building thermography: The use of infrared imaging to assess heat flow, insulation, and moisture-related anomalies in buildings. Thermograms can expose insulation gaps and air leakage across building envelopes.
Infrared radiation: Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light and shorter than microwaves. Thermography detects this part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Infrared thermometry: Noncontact temperature measurement using infrared radiation, typically at a single point or small region. Thermography produces spatial images, while infrared thermometry commonly reports a spot measurement.
Planck's law: A law describing the spectral distribution of radiation emitted by a black body at a given temperature. Thermal cameras use this relationship to interpret measured infrared wavelengths.
Electrical thermography: The inspection of electrical equipment with infrared imaging to identify abnormal heating. Overheated connections and components can appear as localized thermal anomalies.
Radiometry: The science of measuring electromagnetic radiation, including its power and spectral distribution. Thermal imaging relies on radiometric measurements rather than direct contact with a surface.
Contact thermometer: A temperature-measuring instrument that senses temperature through physical contact with an object or medium. Contact sensors measure locally through contact rather than mapping emitted radiation across a scene.
Emissivity: A surface's effectiveness at emitting thermal radiation relative to a black body at the same temperature. Incorrect emissivity settings produce inaccurate temperatures even when the camera measures radiation precisely.
Medical thermography: The use of infrared imaging to measure skin-surface temperature patterns for medical or research purposes. It applies noncontact thermal mapping to the human body, with limits on diagnostic interpretation.

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