Measurement of Luminous Intensity Using Integrated Sphere

Assessment of the total radiant power or luminous flux of light sources using integrating spheres is one of the most important tests in light measurement. Instrument Systems has developed a complete series of integrating spheres, available in a wide range of sizes and providing functionality for a broad spectrum of applications. A deciding factor in choosing the appropriate integrating sphere is the maximum dimension of the light source to be measured. Larger sources require the use of larger integrating spheres in order to eep measurement errors to a minimum. !he inside surface of an integrating sphere is coated with a diffusely reflecting material which guarantees complete integration and homogenization of the emitted radiation. !he integrated light is then measured at the detector port.

All integrating spheres have a side entrance port for determining luminous flux in the "# configuration $i.e. for determining emission into the forward hemisphere only%. &ith the larger integrating spheres, the test ob'ect can also be mounted in the center, thus permitting measurements in the (# configuration $i.e. for determining emission in all directions%.

An integrating sphere in essence is an enclosure to contain and diffuse input light so that it is evenly spread over the entire surface area of the sphere. !his diffusion is completed through two mechanisms) a lambertian reflectance surface $or coating% and a geometrical sphere shape. A Lambertian reflectance surface is a physical ideal * +,,reflectance and completely uniform angular spreading of the light energy on the first bounce. .r, to restate this theory, as illustrated in /igure +, the intensity from the incident radiation I, varies only as the viewing angle of the surface 0. &hen this ideal Lambertian surface is combined with a spherical enclosure as in /igure ", the geometry of the sphere ensures that every point within a sphere receives the same intensity or light as every other part of the sphere at the first bounce. 1oincidently, all angular properties of the intensity also drop out.

FIGURE 1)

2adiation 3xchange within a sphere enclosure with a Lambertian Surface Area d4+ to Surface Area d4".

Flux from dP1 to dp2 dP2!Surfa"e #rea Figure 2)

Lambertian Surface

/rom the above expressions, one would expect that the energy from the first bounce illuminating every other spot on the sphere would be simply 5A , or the input energy $% divided by the surface area of the sphere. Since an illuminated surface is also a reflective, radiance source, the expression of radiance at each spot on the sphere after the first illumination would be as follows)

E$% 1& Radian"e of a Refle"ti'e Surfa"e&

L ( ! (#

&here is the reflectivity of the sphere wall and is the total pro'ected solid angle from that surface. 6ow that each spot is reflective and radiating, there are multiple reflections within the sphere enclosure. 1onsequently, each spot can expect to be illuminated many more times than 'ust that first bounce. !he radiance of the sphere wall at any point within the sphere is given by the following relationship that is attributed to the multiple reflections within the sphere chamber)

E$% 2& Radian"e of the Sphere )all&

L ( ! (#(1* +1* f,

&e see that the reflectivity factor increases the sphere throughput in an asymptotic fashion and actually provides a unit7less gain factor to ma e the sphere radiance better than the original case of single surface illumination given in 3quation +. &e also see that there is an additional modifying $and attenuating% term in the equation of $+7f%. !his is the factional area from the surface area of the sphere $expressed as a percentage% that is ta en up by non7reflective surfaces $ports, detectors, etc% or 4ort /raction, f. !hese non7reflective features subtract from the ideal throughput of an integrating sphere as they represent losses in the enclosure8s multiple reflection effects. It is important to calculate these static feature effects into the throughput.

!herefore the light incident into an integrating sphere is, in theory, spread evenly and without angular distribution over the entire surface of the sphere.

Source of information) Sphere .ptics

Integrating Sphere 9esign and Applications Acrobat 9ocument posted on www.google.com

Submitted by) Sangeet Lal :arna$,;"5<I35=;%