Research on optimal markers for infrared imaging and differences in their characteristics in the presence of heat sources has not yet been performed. This study investigates optimal material combinations for developing an accurate and detachable infrared marker for multiple conditions in the medium wave infrared (MWIR) region. Based on four requirements, 11 material combinations are systematically evaluated. Consequently, the optimal marker differs in relation to the presence of specular reflection components. Metal-insulator markers are suitable under non-heating and hot-air heating conditions without reflection components, although a printed marker made of copier paper is captured more clearly than metal-insulator markers during heating, using an optical radiation heating source with reflection components. Our findings can be applied in structural health monitoring and multi-modal projection involving heat sources.
Keywords: heat sources; infrared imaging; infrared markers; specular reflection.