IR and UV
Infrared radiation (IR) is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength between 0.7 and 300 micrometres. Its wavelength is longer (and the frequency lower) than that of visible light.
Ultraviolet (UV) light has a wavelength shorter than that of visible light, but longer than x-rays, in the range 10 nm to 400 nm, and energies from 3 eV to 124 eV.
Cryocooled sensors
Cryocooling IR/UV-sensors greatly increases their sensitivity. For IR-sensors their own temperatures are much lower than that of the objects from which they are meant to detect radiation.
Without cooling, IR-sensors would be 'blinded' or flooded by their own radiation. Cooled infrared cameras provide superior image quality compared to uncooled ones.
