Principle of Thermal Imaging

Principle of Thermal Imaging
(NEC San-ei Instruments, Ltd.)
A
ll materials, which are above 0 degrees Kelvin (-273 degrees C), emit infrared energy. The infrared
energy emitted from the measured object is converted into an electrical signal by the imaging
sensor (microbolometer) in the camera and displayed on a monitor as a color or monochrome
thermal image. The basic principle is explained as follows:
Infrared Radiation
T
he infrared ray is a form of electromagnetic radiation the same as radio waves, microwaves,
ultraviolet rays, visible light, X-rays, and gamma rays. All these forms, which collectively make up the
electromagnetic spectrum, are similar in that they emit energy in the form of electromagnetic waves
traveling at the speed of light. The major difference between each ‘band’ in the spectrum is in their
wavelength, which correlates to the amount of energy the waves carry. For example, while gamma rays
have wavelengths millions of times smaller than those of visible light, radio waves have wavelengths that
are billions of times longer than those of visible light.
The wavelength of the infrared radiation ‘band’ is 0.78 to 1000μm (micrometers). This is longer than the
wavelength of visible light yet shorter that radio waves. The wavelengths of infrared radiation are
classified from the near infrared to the far infrared.
Emissivity
I
nfrared radiation is energy radiated by the motion of atoms and molecules on the surface of object,
where the temperature of the object is more than absolute zero. The intensity of the emittance is a
function of the temperature of the material. In other words, the higher the temperature, the greater the
intensity of infrared energy that is emitted. As well as emitting infrared energy, materials also reflect
infrared, absorb infrared and, in some cases, transmit infrared. When the temperature of the material
equals that of its surroundings, the amount of thermal radiation absorbed by the object equals the amount
emitted by the object.
The figure above shows the three modes by which the radiant energy striking an object may be dissipated.
These modes of dissipation are:
a = absorption
t = transmission
r = reflection
The fractions of the total radiant energy, which are associated with each of the above modes of dissipation,
are referred to as the absorptivity (a) transmissivity (t) and the reflectivity (r) of the body. According to the
theory of conservation of energy, the extent to which materials reflect, absorb and transmit IR energy is
known as the emissivity of the material.
Blackbody Radiation
T
he emissivity of a body is defined formally by the equation below as the ratio of the radiant energy
emitted by the body to the radiation, which would be emitted by a blackbody at the same
temperature.
If all energy falling on an object were absorbed (no transmission or reflection), the absorptivity would equal
to 1. At a steady temperature, all the energy absorbed could e-radiated (emitted) so that the emissivity of
such a body would equal 1. Therefore blackbody,
absorptivity = emissivity = 1
Practical real life objects do not behave exactly as this ideal, but as described with transmissivity and
reflectivity,
absorptivity + transmissivity + reflectivity = 1
Energy radiated from the blackbody is described as follows [“Planck’s Law”.]

In order to obtain total radiant emittance of the blackbody, integrate the equation (1) through all
wavelengths (0 to infinity). The result is as follows and is called “Stefan-Bolzmann equation.”
The temperature of blackbody can be obtained directly from the radiant energy of the blackbody by this
equation. In order to find out the wavelength on the maximum spectral radiant emittance, differentiate
Planck’s law and take the value to 0
This equation is called “Wien’s displacement law”.

Where in (1) to (3),
In radiation of a normal object, as the emissivity is (<1) times of the blackbody, multiply above equation
by the emissivity. The following figures show the spectral radiant emittance of a blackbody.
The graphs show that wavelength and spectral radiant emittance vary with the temperature. They also
show that as the temperature rises, the peak of spectral radiant emittance is shifting to shorter
wavelengths. This phenomenon is observable in the visible light region as an object at a low temperature
appears red, and as the temperature increases, it changes to yellowish and then whitish color—thus
shifting to shorter & shorter wavelengths as the temperature increases.
(a) is shown by logarithmic scale and (b) is shown by linear scale.
Practical Measurement
T here are a number of methods for correcting emissivity in order to obtain the true temperature. The
correction procedure with each method will be explained next.
Method of comparison or direct measurement with emissivity equal

to approximately 1.0
a) Stabilize the temperature of the measured object or similar material.

b) Open a very small hole (hereafter called blackbody part) in the object which the thermal imager must
measure as to satisfy blackbody conditions.
c) Then set the emissivity correcting function of thermal imager so that the temperature of the blackbody
part and the measured surface will be the same. The obtained emissivity will be the emissivity of the
measured surface.
d) Thereafter when measuring the same type object, it is unnecessary to change the emissivity setting.
Method of direct measurement of emissivity
If a hole cannot be made as in method 1, then apply black high emissivity paint and carry out the same
procedures to obtain the emissivity. Since the black paint will not provide a perfect blackbody, first set the
emissivity of the black paint and then measure the temperature.
Indirect measurement
Measure a sample similar to the measured object, and place it in a condition able to be heated by a heater,
etc. Then measure the object and the sample alternately with the camera and when the indicated values
are identical, measure the sample with a contact-type thermometer. Adjust the emissivity of the thermal
imager to cause the temperature readout to match that of the contact measurement. The resulting
emissivitiy is that of the sample.
Measuring by Wedge effect
With this method, the emissivity of the measured surface itself is enhanced through use of the wedge or
semi-wedge effect. But one must be careful about the number of reflections and/or the measuring angle. A
small change in angle will reduce the emissivity enhancement.

Principle of Thermal Imaging

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Principle of Thermal Imaging

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Principle of Thermal Imaging

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Principle of Thermal Imaging

(NEC San-ei Instruments, Ltd.)

absorptivity + transmissivity + reflectivity = 1

Energy radiated from the blackbody is described as follows [“Planck’s Law”.]

This equation is called “Wien’s displacement law”.

Method of comparison or direct measurement with emissivity equal

a) Stabilize the temperature of the measured object or similar material.

Method of direct measurement of emissivity

Measuring by Wedge effect

You might also like