Thermopile vs. Bolometer

Thermopilenoun

An electronic device that converts thermal energy into electrical energy. Usually constructed using a series-combination of thermocouples.

Thermopilenoun

An instrument of extreme sensibility, used to determine slight differences and degrees of heat. It is composed of alternate bars of antimony and bismuth, or any two metals having different capacities for the conduction of heat, connected with an astatic galvanometer, which is very sensibly affected by the electric current induced in the system of bars when exposed even to the feeblest degrees of heat.

Thermopilenoun

a kind of thermometer for measuring heat radiation; consists of several thermocouple junctions in series

Thermopilenoun

a set of thermocouples arranged for measuring small quantities of radiant heat.

Thermopile

A thermopile is an electronic device that converts thermal energy into electrical energy. It is composed of several thermocouples connected usually in series or, less commonly, in parallel.

Bolometernoun

(physics) A sensitive device for detecting and measuring the energy of electromagnetic radiation.

Bolometernoun

An instrument for measuring minute quantities of radiant heat, especially in different parts of the spectrum; - called also actinic balance, thermic balance.

Bolometernoun

an instrument that measures heat radiation; extremely sensitive

Bolometer

A bolometer is a device for measuring the power of incident electromagnetic radiation via the heating of a material with a temperature-dependent electrical resistance. It was invented in 1878 by the American astronomer Samuel Pierpont Langley.