Thermal Infrared Spectra of Natural and Manmade Materials: Implications for Remote Sensing.

Abstract : This report is a compilation of laboratory thermal infrared reflectance spectra recorded over various spectral ranges between 4000 and 400 cm (-1) (2.5-25.0 micrometers) for natural and manmade materials of potential interest to both military and civilian sectors. Knowledge of the position and shape of significant spectral features as detected by remote spectrometers or spectral radiometers is necessary to discriminate between targets on the basis of either spectral emittance or reflectance. Many of the samples in this study display spectral features in either, or both of the 3- to 5- micrometer or the 8- to 14- micrometer regions of the spectrum in which terrestrial remote sensing is possible. Such information can be used to devise image enhancement strategies for data in hand or to design new instruments or experiments utilizing thermal multispectral data.