Infrared radiation (IR) is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength between 0.7 and 300 micrometers. Its wavelength is longer (and the frequency lower) than that of visible light.
British astronomer Sir Frederick William Herschel discovered infrared radiation around the year 1800. He used a glass prism to create a spectrum (the “rainbow” created when light is divided into its colours) and measured the temperature of each colour. Remarkably he observed that the temperature of the region just beyond the red part of the spectrum was even higher that the red itself. This “invisible” light became known as infrared (meaning “below red”). Any warm object gives off infrared radiation and hotter objects give off more radiation than colder objects. This means that infrared radiation can be extremely useful.
To utilise this type of radiation, we need to be able to separate it from the rest of the electromagnetic spectrum. To do this, we need to use an infrared filter (IR filter). An infrared filter is a filter that is opaque to visible light but that transmits infrared light. This is done by manufacturing the filter to only transmit radiation at wavelengths greater than 750 nanometres.
Infrared filters are suitable for use in photometric systems which are triggered by near infrared signals but which must operate in environments with high levels of visible radiation. The infrared filter is used to eliminate the visible spectrum and so improve the effectiveness of the system by increasing the signal-to-noise ratio. Specific applications include remote controls, security systems, presence sensing devices, proximity sensors and scanners. Infrared filters are also used in infrared lamps (infrared torches) that produce invisible infrared lights which can be seen by night vision goggles or night shot cameras.
Infrared filters are used in industries such as Aerospace, Electronics, Medicine, Military, Photography and others. In fact, the uses for infrared filters are almost unlimited.
Mi-Net Technology Ltd is a UK based supplier of infrared filters. If you are looking for off the shelf or bespoke infrared filters then please visit our website at for more detailed and technical information. All of our infrared filters (IR filters) can be custom made to your specific requirements and can be created with a special cast-in non-glare finish to prevent unnecessary surface reflections. As our non-glare finishes are cast-in it also means that they cannot be peeled, scraped or scratched off unlike simple coverings and other similar infrared filter solutions. best commercial cleaning in seattle