infrared detector


infrared detector

[¦in·frə¦red di′tek·tər] (electronics) A device responding to infrared radiation, used in detecting fires, or overheating in machinery, planes, vehicles, and people, and in controlling temperature-sensitive industrial processes.

infrared detector

A detector of a narrow band of infrared rays, such as those emitted from a power plant of an aircraft or aerodynamic heating of aircraft skin, thus enabling a missile to home on its target. With modern IR (infrared) sensors, it is possible to identify the aircraft type.