IR Region thermal sources (Black Body) are:
a)Nernst Glower
fused mixture of ZrO2, Y2O3,
and ThO2 normally operated at 1900
oC
better for shorter IR λs (near IR)
b)Globar silicon
carbide normally operated
at 1200 to 1400 oC better at longer IR λs (doesnt approach Black Body)
c)Incandescent Wire e.g., nichrome wire cheapest way