Re: integrating sphere

[Tom Droege <tdroege@veriomail.com>]

Rob and all,

Here is an interesting statement from the reference below:

6. What level of uniformity does the typical integrating sphere uniform 
source produce?
The prime contributor to output port uniformity of a uniform source sphere 
is the ratio of the sphere diameter to the port diameter. Using a ratio of 
4:1 you can expect ±1% uniformity, with a ratio of 4:1 you will achieve ±5% 
uniformity.

I had to read it several times before I think I understand what they are 
saying.  In any case, the numbers mentioned by someone in the business of 
producing uniform light sources are 1% and 5%.  As I have said several 
times, light is a tough business.  Note that you buy matched sets of bulbs 
and switch back and forth between them to get your intensity standard.  At 
least they have stopped using candles.  I am much happier to be in the 
electronics biz where we can make 22 bit ADCs that actually work.

Tom Droege

At 05:55 PM 11/9/01 -0700, you wrote:

>These folks have what would work:
>http://www.labsphere.com/products/Products.asp - look under integrating
>spheres, uniform source spheres.  We could probably get buy with the 12" (4"
>exit port) sphere, for a low, low price of $3525.  If we had to, the 20" (8"
>port) sphere, runs only $7350.  Maybe they offer bulk discounts?
>
>Robert Creager
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