Meet the Integrating Sphere!

The integrating sphere is an important tool for measuring the reflectance properties of solid samples. The radiation that enters the sphere and reaches the solid sample at the measurement port undergoes multiple diffuse reflections on the highly reflective walls of the sphere leading to a homogeneous light signal that goes into the collection port.

How does it work?

The reflectance and, therefore, color properties of the solid sample relative to a known standard, is calculated by measuring the light reflection of both and taking their ratio. Sarspec’s integrating sphere is available with an active diameter of 50 mm and two 6 mm collecting lenses with SMA connectors, one at 8 degrees from normal (from the measurement port) for direct irradiation and the other at 90 degrees for collecting the diffuse reflection signal.

Why is the Integrating Sphere valuable?

The measurement port has a 10 mm diameter. These connectors are coupled to an external light source and detector through the SMA optical fibers. Our integrating sphere features an additional position for a third 6 mm collecting lens with an SMA connector for collecting the specular reflection signal. The walls of our integration sphere are made from a highly reflective diffuse PTFE, which provides more than 98% reflectance over a wide wavelength range, from 250 to 2500 nm. Do keep in mind that the precision of the integrating sphere can be significantly improved by combining it with Sarspec’s new slide system.

The slide system is a remarkable tool designed to provide a fast and simple way of changing between different samples without the need to touch or move the integrating sphere (this system is important to ensure a fixed distance during reflectance measurements). To increase the flexibility of the slide system, Sarspec has developed a wide range of slide supports that can also be used in connection with the slide system of our Standard and Multi-Angle Probe Holder.

The slide supports can be used for powders, fabrics, films/solids, and solutions. Sarspec has also slide supports with built-in references (for diffuse and specular measurements) and for microscope slides (25 mm x 75 mm).