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An integrating sphere is a device used to test and measure light sources. It has a highly reflective coating that evenly spreads light over its inner surface, allowing for measurement of properties that cannot be observed otherwise. Integrating spheres are used by laboratories, researchers, quality control engineers, and consumer goods testing organizations, and can be small or large. They have an opening for a light source and a place to mount optical detectors or other instruments, and deflectors to prevent direct light radiation. The inner coating reflects and scatters light, making it useful for testing light sources and sample materials.
An integrating sphere is a device used to test and measure certain properties of a light source. The light is spread evenly over the entire inner surface of the sphere by a highly reflective coating with an equally high degree of diffusion. This diffusion allows for the measurement of properties that could not otherwise be observed or measured. It can also be used as a means of providing uniform illumination of a test specimen for other purposes, such as research and photography.
Among others, laboratories, researchers, quality control engineers, and consumer goods testing organizations use many different models of integrating spheres. They can be very small models, capable of being held in one hand, or as large as 6.5 feet (2 meters) or more in diameter. Regardless of size and design details, a typical integrating sphere has a few basic characteristics. An opening for a light source and a place to mount optical detectors or other instruments are standard. Some models may be able to accept multiple light sources that can be used singly or in tandem, as well as having multiple instrumentation mounts.
Deflectors are another common feature of an integrating sphere. A baffle is a small physical barrier that prevents direct light radiation from passing from the source directly to the detector or other instruments.
Integrating spheres have an inner coating composed of one of several materials that reflect and scatter light. By introducing a light source into such a hollow sphere, the light is scattered and reflected many times until its intensity is substantially equal at any point within the sphere. An integrating sphere’s coating depends on the wavelengths of light it is designed to reflect, such as visible, ultraviolet, or infrared light.
The scattering and reflection properties that result in uniform light intensity make an integrating sphere a useful tool for testing light sources, such as lasers or other lights, and determining a wealth of information about their total power, intensity, and efficiency. An integrating sphere is also useful for testing sample materials. Using a light source with known parameters, it is possible to accurately measure the reflectivity, absorption and scattering properties of a sample.
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