This chapter deals with the historical evolution of infrared technology from the first
prototype developed in 1958 to the multitude of models, which are available today. Particular attention
is devoted to the detectors’ working principles, their characteristics and performance as well their main
fields of application. A section is devoted to radiometric systems involving: image generation and
uniformity correction.
Keywords: Infrared device, historical evolution of infrared devices, performance of infrared cameras, IR image
generation, cooling systems of IR detectors, IR detector materials, uncooled detectors, radiometric systems
