Infrared heater

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An infrared heater or heat lamp is a heating appliance containing a high-temperature emitter that transfers energy to a cooler object through electromagnetic radiation. Depending on the temperature of the emitter, the wavelength of the peak of the infrared radiation ranges from 750 nm to 1 mm. No contact or medium between the emitter and cool object is needed for the energy transfer. Infrared heaters can be operated in vacuum or atmosphere.

One classification of infrared heaters is by the wavelength bands of infrared emission.

• Short wave or near infrared for the range from 750 nm to 1.4 μm; these emitters are also named "bright" because still some visible light is emitted;
• Medium infrared for the range between 1.4 μm and 3 μm;
• Far infrared or dark emitters for everything above 3 μm.