An empirically based model for predicting infrared luminosity functions, deep infrared galaxy counts, and the diffuse infrared background

We predict luminosity functions and number counts for extragalactic infrare d sources at various wavelengths using the framework of our empirically bas ed model. Comparisons of our galaxy count results with existing data indica te that either galaxy luminosity evolution is not much stronger than Q = 3. 1, where L proportional to (1 + z)(Q), or that this evolution does not cont inue beyond a redshift of 2. However, a derivation of the far-infrared back ground from COBE Diffuse Infrared Background Experiment data suggests a str onger evolution for the far-infrared emission, with Q>4 in the redshift ran ge between 0 and 1. We discuss several interpretations of these results and also discuss how future observations can reconcile this apparent conflict. We also make predictions of the redshift distributions of extragalactic in frared sources at selected flux levels, which can be tested by planned dete ctors. Finally, we predict the fluxes at which various future surveys will become confusion-limited.