Integrating spheres are unique tools used in many laser & photonics applications. Gigahertz-Optik offers a wide range of integrating spheres for both detection purposes and for uniform light sources.

1/ One of the most common applications for integrating spheres is the measurement of luminous flux or radiant power. By means of its total integration capability, the sphere is able to capture all of the radiation from sources that emit in all directions such as lamps, LED‘s, light-guides and other sources. The adverse effects of polarization, mode and position are avoided by indirect exposure of any detector mounted into a sphere port that is properly baffled. Baffles permit only uniformly reflected signal to reach the detector. The integrating sphere is frequently used in laser power measurement applications and in fiber optic telecommunication power measurements. When measuring high power lasers and laser diodes, the sphere is a very good and spectrally neutral signal attenuator.

2/ Quantities such as reflectance and transmittance are used to describe the optical properties of materials. The quantities can apply to either complex radiation or to monochromatic radiation.
The measurement of optical properties of materials using integrating spheres is described in DIN 5036-3, ISO 13648 and CIE 130.

3/ The highly diffuse reflective characteristics of integrating spheres enable them to be used in combination with light sources, power supplies and stabilization devices to produce a uniform diffuse luminance or radiance at a user port. A well-constructed system can exhibit a non-uniformity of ± 0.7% over 90% of the port diameter.
The output geometry is that of an isotropic Lambertian emitter.
Varying the sphere diameter and also the port diameter allows larger luminous or radiant areas to be produced. More sophisticated uniform light sources might offer variable signal output.
These systems are used to calibrate luminance meters, imaging systems, spot exposure meters and other photometric equipment.

To meet the many varied application demands, Gigahertz-Optik offers different integrating sphere ste-ups with several diameters, coatings and measurement geometries.
Besides the modular UM series for light measurement and uniform light source set-ups, the UP series with precisely aligned port geometries for reflectance and transmittance measurements is also offered.