Dense fog can obscure everything, making it difficult to see even a few feet ahead. This might seem like an opportune moment for theft—unless you have SWIR camera surveillance in place. Unlike visible light, which struggles to penetrate water vapor, SWIR (Short Wave Infrared) light excels in such conditions, providing high-resolution images where human vision fails. Let’s delve into the mechanics and advantages of SWIR camera surveillance.
Understanding SWIR Camera Surveillance
SWIR, short for short wave infrared, operates in the wavelength range of 0.9 to 1.7 microns. Similar to visible light, SWIR photons are absorbed and reflected by objects, enabling high dynamic range and excellent contrast in imaging. However, SWIR light is invisible to the naked eye, and standard silicon sensors used for visible light imaging can’t detect it. Instead, SWIR cameras use specialized sensors made from materials like InGaAs (Indium Gallium Arsenide) or MCT (Mercury Cadmium Telluride).
SWIR illumination can light up an industrial area at night while maintaining the appearance of darkness. Outdoors, natural SWIR, known as ‘night glow,’ is present in nearly all weather conditions, both day and night.