An integrating sphere works as a light collector. The light collected can be used as a diffuse illumination or measurement source. The basic principle is that light enters the sphere through the sample port, goes through multiple reflections on the highly reflective, Lambertian surface of the sphere and is scattered uniformly around the interior. Behind a baffled port inside the sphere, which is independent of the angular properties of the sample port, a fibre optic cable collects a homogenised light signal and transmits it to the spectrometer. The baffle is very significant as it prevents first reflections from entering the detection fibre directly. The AvaSphere series integrating spheres are available with active diameters of 30, 50 and 80mm and an SMA port at 90 degrees for collecting the irradiance and reflection signals. The reflection spheres feature an additional SMA connector port at 8 degrees for direct illumination. This port couples external light into the sphere through a fibre optic cable connected to a collimating lens. The sample port diameters are 6mm for the AvaSphere-30, 10mm for the AvaSphere-50 and 15mm for the AvaSphere-80. All sample ports are knife-edge, ensuring a near 180 degree field of view of the sample port. The irradiance version of the integrating sphere can be used for measurements of light sources, such as lasers, LEDs and incandescent sources. The AvaSphere reflection version is used for the measurement of total integrated reflectance of a surface, as well as for colour measurements and fluorescence spectroscopy on solids/powders. The principle of measurement is based on direct illumination and indirect reflection. The inside of the integrating spheres is made of a highly reflective diffuse PTFE material. This provides over 96% reflectance over a wide wavelength range of 250-2500nm. For full technical details, please click here.
