Radiometry

The science of measuring electromagnetic radiation


The practice of Radiometry involves the measurement of electromagnetic radiation in terms of power, or the spatial concentration of radiant power. Five fundamental types of radiometric measurement may be enumerated, corresponding to five different types of measurement geometry:

MEASURAND
UNITS
DESCRIPTION
Flux
W
Radiant power (flux) produced by a source
Illuminance
W/m2
Flux incident upon a surface, per unit area
Exitance
W/m2
Flux leaving a surface, per unit area
Intensity
W/sr
Flux leaving a point source, per unit solid angle - measured in steradians (sr)
Luminance
W/m2sr
Flux per unit solid angle leaving an extended source in a given direction, per unit projected area

Spectroradiometry involves the analysis of the distribution of these quantities as a function of wavelength, and requires the use of complex multichannel or scanning instruments. In contrast, Simple Radiometry uses relatively simple, single-channel sensors to measure spectrally-integrated quantities. Simple radiometry is best suited to the measurement of a source whose radiation is confined to a relatively narrow spectral band. Such sources include lasers, laser diodes, LEDs, and diode-driven fiber-optic devices.

UDTi offers a range of equipment for reliable radiometric measurement, including:


OPTOMETERS SENSORS ACCESSORIES