What is the difference between near infrared, mid infrared, and far infrared energy?
Near Infrared is that energy with a frequency just beyond the visible spectrum. It is similar to visible light in that it can be generated with lasers and diodes very easily. Night vision devices such as the PVS-7 can detect this energy very effectively. That is why you can illuminate a scene with near infrared energy, see clearly through your NVGs, and yet remain covert to others without NVGs. Mid and Far Infrared energy are different in their means of detection and generation. This energy is given off by people and objects and is a function of the temperature of the person or object relative to absolute zero (-273 degrees celcius). It is a form of “heat energy.” When you warm yourself next to an old fashioned cast iron wood stove, you are feeling this energy. Mid and far infrared energy is not detectable by NVGs. This energy is detected by thermal imagers, aka FLIRs. The PNVS onboard an apache helicopter is a good example of this.
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