How Do Cameras Detect Infrared?
Modern cameras in general use uncooled bolometers.A mid range unit will have a bolometer with a matrix of 320 x 240 pixels for a total of 76,800 dots or pixels. Each pixel, which is sensitive to IR, develops a voltage, depending on how much IR reaches it via special lenses. This voltage is then processed via software and color palettes are overlaid. The color represented for each pixel is dependent on the voltage the dot produces. The end result is a picture built up of thousands of pixels. The voltage of each pixel is also calibrated to represent a temperature. An IR camera usually has a selection of color palettes. In principle, digital and video cameras work the same way.
