Individuals in the field of light measurement equipment are commonly confused. These confusions are about the differences between a spectroradiometer and a spectrophotometer. Understanding the differences is important for certain applications. This is so that money isn’t spent on equipment that won’t do the job. Any piece of equipment with the word ‘Spectro’ in its name will measure a parameter as a function of wavelength. This article will tell you how to differentiate between Spectroradiometer and Spectrophotometer.
Spectroradiometer
A spectroradiometer, like the one produced by LISUN, is a light measuring instrument. It helps find the wavelength and amplitude of light released by a light source. Spectrometers, like the ones produced by LISUN, differentiate wavelengths based on various criteria. This includes location of light strikes on the detector array. This allows for a single collection of the entire spectrum. Most spectrometers have an uncalibrated base measurement of counts. This is impacted by the sensitivity of the detector to each wavelength. The spectrometer can then offer measurements of spectral irradiance, spectral radiance or spectral flux after applying a calibration.
This information is then used to calculate irradiance, radiance, luminance, and color temperature amongst others. This is done using built-in or PC software. Some more advanced spectrometer software packages contain capabilities like transmission, reflectance and candela calculations based on distance.
Spectrometers come in a variety of sizes. They also cover a wide range of wavelengths. The spectrometer’s effective wavelength range is determined by two things. These are the scattering ability and the sensitivity range of the detectors.
Lab/research spectrometers frequently cover a wide spectral range from UV to NIR. These require a computer to operate. On the other hand, infrared spectrometers necessitate more electricity to run a cooling system. Many Spectrometers can be adjusted for a single range. These include UV or VIS. They are then paired with a second system to allow for more exact measurements, greater resolution, and the elimination of some of the more typical mistakes seen in broadband systems.
Portable devices are also available in a wide range of spectral bands, from UV to NIR. They are available in a variety of container shapes and sizes. Common features of hand-held systems with integrated screens are built-in optics and an onboard computer with pre-programmed software. Mini spectrometers can be used on the go or in the lab because they are powered and controlled by a PC and require a USB cable. A fiber optic light guide is widely used to attach input optics, which can be integrated or not. Micro Spectrometers are also available. They are smaller than a quarter and may be integrated into a system or used independently.
A spectroradiometer is a spectrometer that can measure light intensity. So, each wavelength of detected light will be given a unit. This unit could be radiometric, photometric, or quantum. The unit depends on the application.
Spectrophotometer
A spectrophotometer, like the ones produced by LISUN, is a device that detects electromagnetic energy. It is done at certain wavelengths of light with accuracy. It uses light and energy characteristics to identify colors. It also calculates how much of each color is present in a ray of light. A spectrophotometer is made up of two major parts. These are the spectrometer and a photometer.
A spectrometer sends a straight beam of light through a lens to a prism. This separates it into its different wavelengths. The photometer is then sent to a wavelength selector. This filters out all but the selected wavelengths. A photometer is a component of a device that detects the quantity of photons absorbed and transmits that information to a digital display.
Spectroradiometers are used to calculate the absorbance of a material. This is done over a range of wavelengths by measuring the surface reflectance. So a spectrophotometer has an internal light source. It shines on the object and measures the reflectance. The reference beam is generally measured and recorded in the device from a 99 percent diffuse reflecting surface.
A spectrophotometer measures how much a material reflects or absorbs light. We usually consider this as a qualitative measurement. An opaque product might be described as red or blue with a matte or glossy shine. Spectrophotometers take this assessment a step further. This is done by measuring those features as something that can be measured and used in precise applications. Examples include clinical diagnosis, quality control, product design, and biochemical research.
Conclusion
Spectro-radiometers and spectro-photometers differ from conventional radiometers and photometers in that they have a diffraction grating that splits the signal into distinct wavelengths.