Editing Infrared (section)

=== Night vision ===

{{Main|Night vision}}
[[File:Active-Infrared-Night-Vision.jpg|thumb|Active-infrared night vision: the camera illuminates the scene at infrared wavelengths invisible to the [[human eye]]. Despite a dark back-lit scene, active-infrared night vision delivers identifying details, as seen on the display monitor.]] Infrared is used in night vision equipment when there is insufficient visible light to see.<ref name="how night vision works">{{Cite web |title=How Night Vision Works |url=http://www.atncorp.com/HowNightVisionWorks |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824223644/http://www.atncorp.com/hownightvisionworks |archive-date=2015-08-24 |access-date=2007-08-12 |publisher=American Technologies Network Corporation}}</ref> [[Night vision devices]] operate through a process involving the conversion of ambient light photons into electrons that are then amplified by a chemical and electrical process and then converted back into visible light.<ref name="how night vision works" /> Infrared light sources can be used to augment the available ambient light for conversion by night vision devices, increasing in-the-dark visibility without actually using a visible light source.<ref name="how night vision works" /><ref name="Vatansever-2012">{{Cite journal |last=Vatansever |first=Fatma |last2=Hamblin |first2=Michael R. |date=2012-01-01 |title=Far infrared radiation (FIR): Its biological effects and medical applications |journal=Photonics & Lasers in Medicine |volume=1 |issue=4 |pages=255–266 |doi=10.1515/plm-2012-0034 |issn=2193-0643 |pmc=3699878 |pmid=23833705}}</ref>

The use of infrared light and night vision devices should not be confused with [[thermal imaging]], which creates images based on differences in surface temperature by detecting infrared radiation ([[heat]]) that emanates from objects and their surrounding environment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bryant |first=Lynn |date=2007-06-11 |title=How does thermal imaging work? A closer look at what is behind this remarkable technology |url=http://www.video-surveillance-guide.com/how-does-thermal-imaging-work.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070728055934/http://www.video-surveillance-guide.com/how-does-thermal-imaging-work.htm |archive-date=2007-07-28 |access-date=2007-08-12}}</ref><ref name="Michael Rowan" />