This section provides an overview for spectral irradiance meters as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 7 spectral irradiance meter manufacturers and their company rankings.
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Spectral irradiance meters are machines that measure the irradiance of light emitted from a light source.
When a person does something, the brightness of the surrounding area varies depending on the situation. It is not simply a matter of the brightness of the surroundings.
The human eye is not appropriate for measuring this "brightness." The human eye is not suitable for objective evaluation because it adapts to the brightness of the surroundings and there are individual differences.
Therefore, it is important to quantify the ambient brightness objectively using a spectral irradiance meter.
In addition to irradiance meters, there are also "illuminance meters," but spectral irradiance meters can detect electromagnetic waves of wavelengths that cannot be perceived by the human eye, whereas illuminance meters are designed to detect electromagnetic waves of wavelengths that can be perceived by the human eye.
Spectral irradiance meters are used to measure the brightness of various facilities, such as offices, factories, and museums.
Spectral irradiance meters are also used to measure brightness in general office settings, but they are essential in laboratories, factories, and other locations where environmental brightness must be strictly controlled.
In some cases, the brightness (illuminance) of the environment in laboratories and factories is regulated by law for this purpose. Spectral Irradiance Meters must be used to measure the illuminance in order to meet these regulations.
The unit of "irradiance" measured by a spectral irradiance meter is W/m2 (watts per square meter).
Illuminance is a measure of the "brightness" of an environment. However, in the case of "irradiance," electromagnetic waves with wavelengths that cannot be perceived by the human eye (such as ultraviolet and infrared rays) are also included in the measurement.
This is because, depending on the environment, it may be necessary to measure electromagnetic waves (called light in the case of visible light), taking into account ultraviolet and infrared rays as well.
For example, some chemical substances are decomposed by ultraviolet rays. In order to measure ultraviolet rays, Spectral Irradiance Meters are not sufficient.
To measure irradiance, an element that detects electromagnetic waves is required. Photoresistors and photodiodes are used as elements.
A photoresistor is an element whose electrical resistance changes when it detects electromagnetic waves, and a photodiode is an element that converts electromagnetic waves into electric current.
By changing elements such as photodiodes, it is also possible to measure illuminance. Both irradiance, which includes electromagnetic waves that cannot be perceived by the human eye, and illuminance, which includes only light that can be perceived, are important quantities, and should be used for different purposes.
The difference between a spectral irradiance meter and a spectral irradiance system is the ability to measure spectral characteristics.
Spectral irradiance meters calculate the output at each wavelength in the measured wavelength range with a specific resolution (e.g., 1 nm pitch).
In short, the difference is whether the irradiance is calculated as a sum or whether the output is detailed over the entire wavelength range.
Of course, spectral irradiance meters can also play the role of irradiance meters, so if spectral sensitivity characteristics are needed, a spectral irradiance meter should be sought. If you simply need only irradiance and you purchase a spectral irradiance meter, you will be over-specifying. Of course, the big can also be small.
Some spectral irradiance meters can evaluate the color rendering property of the object being measured. Color rendering index is a measure of how colors appear when viewed in comparison to sunlight.
In recent years, LEDs with high color rendering properties are required in some museums.
Spectral irradiance meters are often expensive. Therefore, many companies offer rental services.
For example, Konica Minolta, famous for its spectral irradiance meters, offers a rental service for its CL-500A spectral irradiance meter.
Although it is not always possible to know the quotation, delivery date, and other details until you make an inquiry, the maximum rental period is about two months, which is enough time to evaluate the product. It is very effective to use the rental service first to get a feel for what can be measured by the illuminance meter and whether it is suitable to be introduced into the evaluation system.
Other manufacturers also offer rental services, and in some cases, free rentals may be available if you contact the distributor.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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