Definition: infrared wavelengths

Following are the infrared wavelength range divisions according to the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) and common subdivisions. See infrared.

   Major       Wavelength
   Division   (micrometers)

   IR-A        .7 - 1.4

   IR-B       1.4 - 3

   IR-C         3 - 1,000


                          Wavelength
   Common Subdivisions   (micrometers)

   NIR (Near IR)           .75 - 1.4
     Fiber optic telecom

   SWIR (Short WL IR)      1.4 - 3
     Fiber optic telecom

   MWIR (Mid WL IR)          3 - 8
     Heat seeking missles

   LWIR (Long LW IR)         8 - 15
     Thermal imaging
     Forward-looking IR systems (FLIR)

   FIR  (Far IR)            15 - 1,000
     Lasers, spectroscopy

   WL = wavelength