Infrapunavalon

Infrapunavalon is the Finnish-language term literally meaning "of the infrared light" and is used to refer to infrared radiation, a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths longer than visible light and shorter than microwaves. Infrared wavelengths are commonly divided into near (roughly 0.7–1.4 µm), short-wave, mid-wave and long-wave bands, extending up to about 1 mm; precise boundaries vary by convention.

Infrared radiation is emitted by objects as thermal radiation according to their temperature and interacts with matter through absorption, reflection and emission. Because it is not visible to the human eye, infrared is widely employed for sensing and imaging applications: thermal cameras detect emitted infrared for temperature mapping and night vision, remote controls and optical communication use near-infrared LEDs and lasers, and spectroscopy in the infrared reveals molecular vibrational information useful in chemistry and environmental monitoring.

Detection technologies include thermopiles, bolometers and semiconductor photodetectors tuned to specific IR bands. Atmospheric transmission in the infrared is affected by water vapor, carbon dioxide and other gases, creating windows that are exploited in astronomy and remote sensing.

While low-energy compared with visible and ultraviolet light, intense infrared sources can cause thermal injury and require appropriate safety measures in laboratory and industrial contexts. The study and application of infrared radiation have broad technological and scientific importance, from industrial inspection and medical diagnostics to astronomy and telecommunications.