15
Glossary
Figure 15.1
Glossary of common infrared terms & expressions
Explanation
Term or expression
The amount of radiation absorbed by an object relative to
the received radiation. A number between 0 and 1.
absorption (absorption factor)
Objects and gases that emit radiation towards the object
being measured.
ambient
The gases between the object being measured and the
camera, normally air.
atmosphere
A function making a camera perform an internal image cor-
rection.
autoadjust
The IR image is shown with an uneven spread of colors, dis-
playing cold objects as well as hot ones at the same time.
autopalette
Totally non-reflective object. All its radiation is due to its own
temperature.
blackbody
An IR radiating equipment with blackbody properties used
to calibrate IR cameras.
blackbody radiator
A transmission value computed from the temperature, the
relative humidity of air and the distance to the object.
calculated atmospheric transmis-
sion
A bottle shaped radiator with an absorbing inside, viewed
through the bottleneck.
cavity radiator
The temperature for which the color of a blackbody matches
a specific color.
color temperature
The process that makes heat spread into a material.
conduction
A function that adjusts the image. The function works all the
time, continuously adjusting brightness and contrast accord-
ing to the image content.
continuous adjust
The process that makes hot air or liquid rise.
convection
A value which is the result of a subtraction between two
temperature values.
difference temperature
An isotherm with two color bands, instead of one.
dual isotherm
The amount of radiation coming from an object, compared
to that of a blackbody. A number between 0 and 1.
emissivity (emissivity factor)
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Publ. No. 1 557 536 Rev. a35 – ENGLISH (EN) – January 20, 2004
