What is an integrating sphere used for

An integrating sphere is a spherical object with a reflective coating applied to its inside surface. Numerous tasks, such as measuring light, measuring reflectance, and homogeneous lighting, can be done with reasonable precision using it. This article will discuss in detail LISUN’s integrating sphere, its specifications, what it is used for, and lastly how to calibrate integrated spheres.

Integrating Sphere (Product No: IS-*M)

LISUN’s integrating sphere (IS-*M) is an optical device that collects a light beam and makes it possible to assess the beam’s power in different circumstances. A highly diffused white coating is present on the inside surface of an integrating sphere due to its physical properties. Through a hole, the beam enters the sphere. Because of how heavily scattered the inner surface is, light reflects several times in each direction. As a result, light is evenly dispersed across the sphere’s whole inner surface. This is why, it is also widely known as a light integrating sphere.

The device is generally used to test luminaires or light sources for luminosity, chromaticity coordinates, CCT, dominant wavelength, peak wavelength, etc. The traditional integrating sphere is the IS-*M, which LISUN has already stopped manufacturing in favor of the IS-*MA, which uses a molding technology.

Product Specifications

LISUN’s integrating sphere’s painting and the coating material is in accordance to CIE Pub. No.84, (1989). The sphere walls are painted with BaSO4 coating in two different spectral ranges: 0.96 (450-800 nm) and 0.92 (380-450 nm). It is capable of fine diffusing with several reflections: Reflectance of 0.8 and accuracy of (1.5%)

Additionally, all functioning lamp testing jigs for E40/E27, T5/T8/T12 tubes, and the testing holder base for LED and other luminaires are built within the integrating sphere. Built-ins are the power cord, power terminal, and auxiliary lamp position. Due to the built-in power cable and socket in the device, it is convenient to turn on the test lamp.

The spherical also contains two built-in photo detector ports, one optical fiber port, and a temperature sensor hole. LISUN created a molding technique to make integrating spheres that are rounder and produce more accurate test results. Last but not least, the device’s integrated cross laser can assist in positioning the reference light and the lamp being tested in the optical sphere’s center.

What are integrating spheres used for?

Power from sources with widely divergent beams, such as LEDs, Vic CIL and other laser diodes, and fiber optics, can be measured using integrating spheres. Utilizing the fact that the integrating sphere only has a small portion of the beam, which effectively attenuates the beam, parallel laser beams can also be detected. They are also used to gauge the transmittance or reflectance of materials that are diffuse or scatter light.

Additionally, instead of utilizing the sphere as a collecting device to catch and measure a beam, we can instead utilize it in the opposite direction. The radiating spheres can also be used to gauge the total amount of light the lamp emits. Most optical measurements make use of an integrating sphere. Without any error, we can gauge a light’s overall power. In addition, it is simple to understand how samples reflect and absorb light.

How to calibrate integrated spheres?

In order to calibrate an integrated sphere, installing the standard lamp in the middle of the integrated sphere, turning on the lamp with the calibrating current, shutting the Ulbricht Sphere, and starting the calibration process using the LISUN LMS-9000 Software are the most precise and simple steps to follow.

However, for a detailed step by step run down of the procedure, there are some operational steps that need to be followed. These steps include:

1. Connect the probe and optical fiber to the corresponding position of the integrating sphere and fix it.
2. Activate the integrating sphere system configuration’s DC power supply.
3. Start the computer, launch the desktop test program, choose “System Settings” from the menu, and connect the spectrometer, electric parameter meter, and DC power source to online communication to test the communication.
4. Close the integrating sphere after inserting the corresponding standard light (note: wear white gloves and avoid touching the standard lamp directly, especially the glass section).
5. Set the software’s power mode to DC power supply.

After completing these steps, for spectral integrating sphere calibration, the following steps need to be followed:

1. Connect the connecting wire’s red and black output terminal on the DC power supply to one end, and the integrating sphere’s terminal to the other.
2. To modify the current output so that it is compatible with the current value on the standard lamp calibration report, install the standard lamp and turn on the DC power switch. The standard light should be warmed for 15 minutes.
3. The instrument will automatically complete the scan when you launch the test software, click the spectral calibration button, enter the calibration dialogue box, and verify that the color temperature matches the value in the standard lamp calibration report. If it does,

click Start and then OK in the pop-up adjustment slit dialogue box, the instrument will be completed automatically scan by itself, just click after the file format is saved.

FAQs

How can an integrated sphere be cleaned?

An integrated sphere can be cleaned by gently scraping away small stains from the surface using a knife. After scraping, spray the area with specialized paint to cover up any noticeable color.

Can an integrating sphere be used to test the luminosity of automobiles?

The integrating sphere is used to examine the luminosity, chromaticity coordinates, CCT, dominant wavelength, and peak wavelength of the vehicle when it is employed as a light source. This instrument is made to gauge the brightness of individual LEDs and LED lighting fixtures.

Lisun Instruments Limited was found by LISUN GROUP in 2003. LISUN quality system has been strictly certified by ISO9001:2015. As a CIE Membership, LISUN products are designed based on CIE, IEC and other international or national standards. All products passed CE certificate and authenticated by the third party lab.

Our main products are Goniophotometer, Integrating Sphere, Spectroradiometer, Surge Generator, ESD Simulator Guns, EMI Receiver, EMC Test Equipment, Electrical Safety Tester, Environmental Chamber, Temperature Chamber, Climate Chamber, Thermal Chamber, Salt Spray Test, Dust Test Chamber, Waterproof Test, RoHS Test (EDXRF), Glow Wire Test and Needle Flame Test.

Please feel free to contact us if you need any support.
Tech Dep: Service@Lisungroup.com, Cell/WhatsApp:+8615317907381
Sales Dep: Sales@Lisungroup.com, Cell/WhatsApp:+8618117273997

Tags：LPCE-2 (LMS-9000)