Does a thermal camera measure the true temperature of an object?

A thermal infrared camera measures a quantity called radiometric temperature by interpreting the infrared radiation emitted from the surface of objects within the scene. Each object is modeled as a blackbody with a unitary, spectrally flat emissivity profile that emits radiation only according to its temperature. Real objects do not have a unitary emissivity value and in fact, most materials have spectrally varying emissivity profiles. Additionally, the thermal radiation from objects within the scene entering the camera is modified by the transmission properties of the intervening atmosphere. In order to convert the radiometric temperature measured by an infrared camera to the true thermodynamic temperature of an object, it is necessary to compensate for both the true material emissivity and atmospheric transmission properties.

For this purpose, Telops provides a user-friendly compensation toolbox as part of its standard software suite.

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How can a user control the mechanical shutter to assure the image?

Within LWIR cameras, it is a factory default, the shutter is initialized when the temperature at the detector changes by 0.5°C. An additional timing elapse function is also implemented and can also be activated. When a camera has just been started it will get to his working temperature. During this time the detector will warm-up and will be shuttered several times to assure the quality of the image.

What is a shutter in a camera?

A shutter is a part within a camera that controls the light exposure that reaches the sensor. There are two main shutters, namely mechanical shutter and electronic shutter. The mechanical shutter is physical curtain of the camera that open and close to expose the sensor. While the electronic shutter works by turning the sensor's sensitivity on and off for specific durations.

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Can LWIR cameras measure precise temperatures?

Yes, Xenics LWIR cameras are calibrated to provide accurate temperature measurements for specific applications, making them valuable for tasks like industrial monitoring and medical diagnostics. On the other hand, real-objects have varying emissivity profiles, and atmospheric conditions can affect the information. To get precise temperatures, one shall take into account for the true material emissivity and atmospheric transmission properties.

What is the difference between cooled and uncooled thermal cameras?

Cooled thermal cameras use a cooling system to enhance sensitivity and image quality, making them suitable for more demanding applications. On the other hand, the uncooled thermal cameras offering more compact and energy-efficient features that suitable for different dynamic applications.

What is a long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) or thermal camera?

A LWIR or thermal camera is a digital camera exclusively designed to captures the infrared radiation in the range between 8 to 14 µm, allowing it to create images based on temperature differences.