Tech Guide: Integrating Sphere Uniform Light Source Applications

Uniform source systems provide uniform radiance or irradiance. Their applications include focal-plane array or complete camera testing, pixel gain normalization, photographic sensitometry, and remote-observation system calibration. Sources are used in the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared regions of the spectrum. Most uniform sources use integrating spheres, while some use lasers, lamps, and other sources alone. Sphere systems are highly lambertian and show very uniform radiance distribution. This Tech Guide examines some of these applications, discusses how Labsphere calibrates uniform sources, and provides examples of custom uniform light systems we have designed. Submitted by Labsphere, Inc.