Creating glasses that simultaneously allow you to see both the normal visible light spectrum and the infrared light spectrum without modifying the visible light spectrum is challenging due to the fundamental differences between these two types of light. Visible light and infrared light have distinct wavelengths and interact differently with materials.
Active 3D glasses work by alternating the display of images for each eye, rapidly switching between left and right images in sync with the content being displayed on a 3D screen. This technique relies on the specific properties of visible light, the display technology, and the glasses' synchronization with the screen. It is not directly applicable to infrared light.
The main issues with simultaneously viewing visible and infrared light are:
Wavelength Difference: Visible light has wavelengths ranging from approximately 400 to 700 nanometers, while infrared light has longer wavelengths, typically starting from around 700 nanometers and extending to several micrometers. Ordinary 3D glasses are designed to work with visible light wavelengths and would not be effective for infrared light.
Infrared Light Detection: Human eyes are not capable of detecting infrared light, as the retina is not sensitive to these longer wavelengths. For the glasses to allow you to see infrared light, they would need to incorporate special detectors or sensors that can capture and convert infrared wavelengths into visible wavelengths.
Display Technology: The devices or screens showing the infrared light content would require the capability to convert infrared images into visible light images in real-time to match the user's vision. Currently, we don't have widespread consumer-grade displays that can seamlessly and simultaneously show both visible and infrared content without modification.
Safety Concerns: Infrared light can have harmful effects on the eyes and skin at high intensities. Therefore, any glasses designed for simultaneous visible and infrared viewing must take into account safety measures to protect the user from potential harm.
While it is theoretically possible to create specialized glasses that can allow you to see both the visible and infrared spectra using advanced technology, such glasses are not commonly available or practical for general consumer use. Infrared imaging and visualization typically require specialized equipment and dedicated devices, such as thermal imaging cameras or night-vision goggles, rather than glasses for everyday use.