How does a thermopile convert infrared radiation into a signal?
Answer
It generates a small voltage when radiation strikes junctions of dissimilar metals.
The thermopile represents an advancement over the simple thermometer by directly converting thermal energy into an electrical potential. It functions as an array of multiple thermocouples connected electrically in series. When infrared radiation strikes the junctions formed by these dissimilar metals within the array, the absorption of heat energy induces a small voltage. This resulting voltage is directly proportional to the intensity of the infrared radiation that the device has absorbed, thus providing a quantifiable electrical signal.
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