A viewing device that can show images in the infrared light spectrum is known as an infrared (IR) microscope. IR is a frequency of light that is below the red frequencies that the human eye can see, and it is associated with heat emitted by natural and artificial objects. This technology can be used to see images that aren’t visible to the naked eye, such as changes in human cell samples and heat generated by electronic circuits. x000D_
When viewing infrared images, optical lenses that focus light to the viewing eyepiece may have limitations. Infrared filters can be used in normal optical microscopes to block wavelengths of light other than IR, but these instruments can cause image blurring, which is known as aberration. Digital IR microscopes have been replacing optical lenses since the late twentieth century, and use electronic sensors to detect infrared light and display the image on a computer screen. Infrared technology’s viewing capability, or resolution, has improved thanks to increasingly sensitive digital image processors. x000D_
Solid-state electronics make use of extremely small circuits made of silicon and metals that can conduct electricity. Due to the low voltages and small circuit sizes used in electronic circuits, testing them can be difficult. An IR microscope can examine solid-state circuits for temperature changes caused by components that may be malfunctioning and producing higher temperatures than normally operating components.
Infrared systems are used to screen human tissue samples for cancer cells and other abnormal conditions. Cancer cells produce more heat than nearby normal cell tissues, a feature that can be used to screen for cancer. The system can be programmed to search for and identify unusual temperature regions by placing samples under the IR microscope. x000D_
Some plastics and other materials do not allow visible light to pass through, making damage and product quality testing difficult. Infrared light can often reveal flaws or damage, making it a valuable secondary quality check. An IR light source can be used to illuminate the sample, and an IR microscope can examine the reflected light to look for unusual cracks or other flaws. x000D_
Fiber optic cables are made up of very thin glass fibers that are bundled together and used to transmit data and video over long distances. Light passes through the cables, and the transmission signals generate very little heat, making normal failure inspections difficult. An infrared microscope can detect fine cracks or other defects in fiber optic cables, allowing technicians to inspect new cables before installation or existing cables that have been damaged in the field.