This section provides an overview for integrating spheres as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 10 integrating sphere manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked integrating sphere companies as of November, 2024: 1.Labsphere, Inc., 2.LISUN INSTRUMENTS LIMITED, 3.RP Photonics AG.
Table of Contents
An integrating sphere is a spherical device that reflects light evenly. The interior is coated with a light-scattering material with high reflectivity, such as titanium dioxide, and incident light is multiply reflected in various directions. The repeated reflection of light within the integrating sphere enables spatially integrated and uniform light to be extracted. They are widely used for quality evaluation of lasers and light sources and as experimental equipment in research institutes.
Integrating spheres can be used to extract light or to emit uniform light. For example, light homogenized by integrating spheres is suitable for detecting the intensity of a light source. Also, when measuring reflectance or transmittance, it is possible to detect reflection and transmission by diffusion besides directly irradiated light. Furthermore, it can also be used as a light source emitting light that is homogenized by integrating spheres. By repeating reflection inside the sphere, it is possible to create a light source with constant intensity.
The structure of an integrating sphere is very simple. However, the direction in which light is incident and the part of the sphere where it is detected differ depending on the intended use. Here, we will introduce the principle of measuring reflectance and transmittance, which are characteristic features.
The integrating spheres are an important device when measuring the reflectance and transmittance of a sample. By using an integrating sphere, it is possible to detect the reflection and transmission of light caused by diffusion in addition to light directly hitting the sample. The structure of the integrating spheres is such that light is incident from one side and the sample is placed on the other side. It is important to place the detector at the bottom so that light from the light source does not directly enter the sample. However, since this method is relative to a reference sample, the reference must be set accurately.
In addition to this, there are other ways to detect light and use it as a light source. Since light often differs in intensity depending on its direction, integrating spheres, which can achieve uniformity by using reflection and diffusion, are useful in a variety of places. This device is widely used mainly at universities and other research institutions.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Ocean Insight is the Applied Spectral Knowledge company, founded in 1989, is a manufacutring company using spectral technology, application expertise, and manufacturing scalability to help customers take on important challenges for a safer, cleaner, healthier future, headquartered in Florida, USA. The company consists of three industry brands: Ocean Optics, which pioneered miniature spectrometers and delivers spectral solutions to researchers, OEMs and industrial customers; Ocean Applied, which designs and builds industrial-grade photonics systems for material inspection, chemical identification and quality assurance; and International Light, which supplies lighting assemblies, light measurement solutions and calibration services.
Labsphere, established in 1979, is headquartered in North Sutton, New Hampshire, United States, and the company specializes in developing and producing advanced light measuring technologies tailored for the LED/SSL lighting sector. The company produces light measuring equipment designed for many industries like aerospace, automotive, electronic imaging, laser diode, LED, lighting, medical imaging, and optics. The company provides clients with a range of advanced technological solutions, including pulsed laser power measurement systems, ultraviolet light-emitting diode characterization systems, high-temperature spectroradiometers, tunable portable luminance test and calibration reference sources, and ultraviolet transmittance analyzers.
StellarNet, Inc. is an American miniature spectrometer system products manufacturer and supplier that was established in Tampa, Florida, in 1991. The company’s product lineup includes portable and compact fiber optic spectrometers for near-infrared (NIR), visible (VIS), and UV measurements. It also offers various specialized light sources such as deuterium, tungsten halogen, and mercury argon. The company’s products are commonly used in academic and research institutions, as well as in the medical industry.
Newport is a division of MKS Instruments, Inc. that was incorporated in 1961 and headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts. The company is a manufacturing company that serves the specialty industrial, advanced electronics, and semiconductor industries. The company markets its products through Spectra-Physics, MKS Instruments, Richardson Grating, and other brands. Their product categories include motion, optomechanics, optics, and vacuum instruments. Product categories include lasers, MKS vacuum & gas solutions, laser diode controls, and tables & isolation systems.
Gigahertz Optik GmbH, founded in Turkenfeld, Bayern, in 1985 is a manufacturer of optic mechanics, and measurement equipment The company’s product portfolio includes and cylindrical lenses, Optical Filters, optical coatings and thin films, optical components and optoelectronic devices. They also do applications such as LED Manufacturing and Assembling, General and Special Lighting and Optical Material Properties Determination. They serve markets such as Life Sciences, Analytical, Spectroscopy, Defense, Aerospace, and Semiconductors. The company also offers customer services that include technical support, engineering and customized services.
Avantes was established in 1994, headquartered in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, as a manufacturer in developing fiber-optic spectroscopy instruments and systems. Avantes is a famous pioneer in the advancement and use of compact spectrometers. The company is engaged in the manufacturing of laboratory instruments and instrumentation systems. Avantes is a company that specializes in producing advanced fiber-optic spectroscopy systems. These systems are designed to provide precise measurements within the electromagnetic spectrum's ultra-violet, visible, and near-infrared ranges.
Shimadzu Corporation, founded in 1875 and based in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, is a Japanese manufacturer and supplier specializing in precision instruments, measuring instruments, and medical equipment. The company's products and solutions cater to various industries, including pharmaceuticals, environmental, and research institutions. For instance, Shimadzu produces analytical and measuring instruments like chromatographs and spectrometers, utilized for quality control as well as research and development in the environment, life science, and pharmaceutical fields. Furthermore, Shimadzu's medical products and systems aid in early disease detection and treatment, particularly for conditions like cancer. Additionally, Shimadzu supports manufacturing activities by providing vacuum equipment and industrial machinery.
JASCO Global, established in 1958, is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, as a manufacturer of analytical apparatus utilized in academic and production research endeavors. The company functions as a provider of a diverse array of spectrometers, spectrophotometers, and liquid chromatography, as well as supercritical fluid chromatography apparatus. Jasco's extensive team of research and development (R&D) applications scientists and technical support experts have successfully developed instrumentation that meets the stringent requirements for accuracy, performance, and dependability in modern laboratory settings.
Lisun Instruments Ltd. is based in Shanghai, China, and is a manufacturer of lighting and electrical test instruments that was founded as a subsidiary of LISUN GROUP in 2003. The company designs and produces instruments used to test light and electrical factors in various environments. These include salt spray test chambers, devices for testing electromagnetic compatibility or immunity, and spectroradiometers for measuring the colorimetric parameters of light sources. The company serves a wide range of clients including mobile network operators, lighting device designers, and home appliance manufacturers.
RP Photonics was established in 2004 in Zürich, Switzerland as a supplier of digital marketing, software, and technical consulting in photonics. They provide online platforms for education and information with RP Photonics Encyclopedia which has over 1000 articles as an open online resource about photonics, and the RP Photonics Buyer’s Guide lists the suppliers for related products. Their Consultancy helps with product designing, problem-solving, and training for Lasers and Amplifiers, Nonlinear optics, Fiber Optics, Ultrashort Pulses, and Energy whereas their Software designing has products such as RP Fiber Calculator, Resonator, Q-Switch, etc. that are applicable in laser and medical device manufacturing.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Labsphere, Inc. |
14.1%
|
2 | RP Photonics AG |
10.9%
|
3 | Avantes |
10.9%
|
4 | JASCO Global |
10.9%
|
5 | Gigahertz Optik GmbH |
10.9%
|
6 | LISUN INSTRUMENTS LIMITED |
10.9%
|
7 | StellarNet, Inc. |
9.4%
|
8 | Shimazu Corporation |
7.8%
|
9 | Newport Corporation |
7.8%
|
10 | Ocean Insight |
6.3%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the integrating sphere page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 4 | 50.0% |
Japan | 2 | 25.0% |
Germany | 1 | 12.5% |
Netherlands | 1 | 12.5% |