FAQ
1. What is Infrared Radiation (IR) ?
Infrared radiation (IR) is electromagnetic radiation (EMR) with longer wavelengths than those of visible light, and is therefore generally invisible to the human eye (although IR at wavelengths up to 1050 nm from specially pulsed lasers can be seen by humans under certain conditions. It is sometimes called infrared light. IR wavelengths extend from the nominal red edge of the visible spectrum at 700 nanometers (frequency 430 THz), to 1 millimeter (300 GHz)[5] Most of the thermal radiation emitted by objects near room temperature is infrared. Like all EMR, IR carries radiant energy, and behaves both like a wave and like its quantum particle, the photon.
CIE division scheme
The International Commission on Illumination (CIE) recommended the division of infrared radiation into the following three bands:
| Abbreviation | Wavelength | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| IR-A | 700 nm – 1400 nm (0.7 µm – 1.4 µm) | 215 THz – 430 THz |
| IR-B | 1400 nm – 3000 nm (1.4 µm – 3 µm) | 100 THz – 215 THz |
| IR-C | 3000 nm – 1 mm (3 µm – 1000 µm) | 300 GHz – 100 THz |
ISO 20473 scheme
ISO 20473 specifies the following scheme:
| Designation | Abbreviation | Wavelength |
|---|---|---|
| Near-Infrared | NIR | 0.78–3 µm |
| Mid-Infrared | MIR | 3–50 µm |
| Far-Infrared | FIR | 50–1000 µm |
2. What is Infrared Heat Lamp?
Infrared heat lamps are commonly incandescent light bulbs which are able to produce infrared radiation. This kind of lamps use a tungsten filament heated to high temperature to produce visible light and, necessarily, even more infrared radiation. Round bulbs, often tinted red to reduce visible light, provide infrared radiant heat suitable for warming of people or animals, but the power density available is low. The development of quartz halogen linear lamps allowed much higher power density up to 200 watts/inch of lamp (8 w/mm), useful for industrial heating, drying and processing applications.By adjusting the voltage applied to incandescent lamps, the spectrum of the radiated energy can be made to reduce visible light and emphasize infrared energy production. Different wavelengths of infrared radiation are differently absorbed by different materials.
Infrared heat lamps transmit infrared radiation to the body that is being heated. When bodies with a large surface area need to be heated, infrared heat lamps are often used in banks. Infrared heat lamps have many industrial applications including curing coatings and preparing plastic for forming, commercial applications such as cooking and browning food, and personal applications such as providing heat (especially in bathrooms and for animal husbandry,such as poultry,livestock pets).
3. What is infrared sauna and what are the benefits?
Infrared saunas are a type of sauna that uses heat and light to help relax and detoxify the body. Also called far-infrared saunas or near-infrared saunas, these omit infrared light waves that create heat in the body.
The interesting thing about infrared saunas is that they differ from “regular saunas” because their light directly penetrates your skin but does not warm the air around you. The temperature in your body goes up quickly, yet the light has no effect on your surrounding environment — which is why you can use infrared saunas within your own home.
The supposed benefits of using an infrared sauna include:
* Sleep improvement
* Relaxation
* Detoxification
* Weight loss
* Relief from sore muscles
* Relief from joint pain such as arthritis
* Clear and tighter skin
* Improved circulation
* Help for people with chronic fatigue syndrome
