和自然界的红外线辐射源（如太阳、火）不同，这里要讨论的是通过技术手段产生红外线的红外线辐射源。以下的讨论范围不包括用于如红外线发射器、天文或者军事定位系统等的技术型辐射源。

An infrared heater or heat lamp is a body with a higher temperature which transfers energy to a body with a lower temperature through electromagnetic radiation. Depending on the temperature of the emitting body, the wavelength of the peak of the infrared radiation ranges from 6993780000000000000♠780 nm to 1 mm. No contact or medium between the two bodies is needed for the energy transfer. Infrared heaters can be operated in vacuum or atmosphere.