What Are the Two Most Commonly Available Types of Thermographic Cameras in Australia?

If you were to go shopping for a drone thermal camera, you would undoubtedly come across a number of makes and models. Unless you’re an expert in the domain, the immense range of options on offer could leave you feeling overwhelmed. However, it is worth highlighting that there are primarily two kinds of thermographic cameras. These comprise:

Cameras with Cooled Infrared Detectors: Manufacturers of these cameras typically store the cooled detectors in vacuum-sealed or Dewar containers. These containers serve to cool the detectors cryogenically. The cooling is necessary so that the semiconductor materials used in the camera can function properly. Depending on the detector technology used in the camera, the typical operating temperatures could range from 4 K to just below room temperature levels. In many cases, contemporary cooled detectors function in the 60 K to 100 K range. These sensors detect and convert light in the same way as digital cameras do. However, without any cooling, these sensors could end up getting blinded by their own radiation. Cooling these cameras is time consuming. It is energy intensive as well. This is why people need to cool down these cameras for several minutes before using them again. For these reasons, infrared cameras with cooled infrared detectors are expensive to produce or run. Yet, they often provide superior levels of image quality in contrast to cameras with uncooled detectors.
Cameras with Uncooled Infrared Detectors: These cameras feature sensors that operate at ambient temperatures. Alternatively, they will feature sensors stabilised at temperatures close to ambient with the help of small temperature control elements. When heated by infrared radiation, the sensors used in uncooled detectors operate based on changes in voltage, resistance or current. Thereafter, the system in these cameras measures and compares the changes with the values at the operating temperature of the sensor. These detectors typically use pyroelectric and ferroelectric materials. In some cases, they might even be utilising microbolometer technology. The fact that these cameras do not require bulky or expensive cryogenic coolers makes them more compact and affordable. But, their resolution and image quality will not be as high as that offered by cameras with cooled infrared detectors.