Infrared heater

An infrared heater is a body with a higher temperature which transfers energy to a body with a lower temperature through electromagnetic radiation. Depending on the temperature of the emitting body, the wavelength of the infrared radiation ranges from 780 nm to 1 mm. The relationship between temperature and wavelength is expressed by the Wien's displacement law. No contact or medium between the two bodies is needed for the energy transfer. A rough classification of infrared heaters is connected to wavelength bands of major emission of the energy: short wave or near infrared for the range from 780 nm to 1400 nm, these emitters are also named bright because still some visible light with glare is emitted; medium infrared for the range between 1400 nm and 3000 nm; far infrared or dark emitters for everything above 3000 nm.


brought to you from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrared_heater