Thermal detection principle
IR imaging based on uncooled sensors

Two types of infrared detectors coexist: quantum detectors and thermal detectors.

Quantum detectors are based on the measurement of a current generated by the creation of electron-hole pairs following the absorption of infrared radiation in a semiconductor material matched to the wavelength to be detected. Thermal detectors, on the other hand, are based on measuring the temperature rise of a material absorbing the infrared radiation to be detected.