Articles

Body Temperature Screening – Which Method to Go For?

Body temperature screening should give accurate results, be easy to operate, be economical. Here’s a look at the available methods.

Radiometer vs Spectrometer vs Spectroradiometer: A Comparison

Know the differences between a radiometer, spectrometer, and spectroradiometer in this easy explainer by CI Systems. Find out which measurement tool to use. Click here.

MTF Measurement: How to Measure Lens MTF Effectively

Learn about lens MTF measurement using scanning, video, interferometry, frequency methods. Explore CI Systems’ OptiShop as a cost-effective optical MTF test tool.

Using Lab Simulations for Advanced Missile Approach Warning Systems

How missile warning system testing is helping in the research, development, and maintenance of missile approach warning systems in aviation.

Choosing a Gas Spectral Imager

Prior of selecting a passive stand-off spectral imager for hazardous gas applications one has to ascertain that there is a good match between the measuring system’s performance and the parameters of the specific application which the system will be used for.

A Spectral Camera Makes All the Difference

An IR camera capable of providing images in a number of spectral bands can better identify a target gas.

Infrared Testing in Twenty-First Century: Applications & Solutions

5 April, 2020

Infrared testing is still an important non-destructive testing technique in the world. Here’s a look at its various applications & solutions in the 21st century.

Goniophotometer vs Integrating Sphere: 8 Key Differences

3 December, 2019

Goniophotometer vs integrating sphere: a quick look at the chief differences between the instruments used for light power (flux) measurement for different types of light sources.

Spectroradiometers: Latest Trends & Modern Technology in the Field

19 March, 2019

Spectroradiometers play an important role in the field of remote sensing, helping applications measure spectral signatures of elements from any given distance. While they have been around for at least two decades now, their usage has only increased tremendously over the past few years.

Thermal Imaging Testing In Modern Engineering

18 September, 2018

Describing how thermal imaging testing works to a layman would make them stand in awe and perspire.

Making Sense of Collimators in the Testing of Imaging Systems

21 January, 2018

Testing the performance of imaging systems such as forward looking infrared radiometers (FLIR) is a vital task in the field of avionics, whether we’re talking about military or any other aircraft. The best way to examine the function of an imaging system is to use a systematized approach that can nevertheless be customized when necessary. When collimators are integrated with sources of blackbody radiation, and a target wheel is added to the focal plane, you end up with a reliable and repeatable method of testing. However, before you can use any given system, you must understand something of how it works.

The Principles of Using Targets for Infrared Measurement in Avionics

28 November, 2017

Thermal imaging cameras comprise a vitally important technological category within military avionics, but they can only be used properly if they are calibrated and tested before being deployed. One of the simplest ways to carry out infrared measurement within the confines of electro-optical test systems is to use specially developed targets. Take a look at the various kinds of targets that are typically used for a range of testing methods.

The Basics of Testing Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) in Electro-Optical Systems

19 October, 2017

The theory behind modulation transfer function and how it relates to electro-optical systems is already well described in all the relevant textbooks. Being that it is broadly speaking the measure of the ability of an optic system to transfer different levels of detail from real-life object to on-screen image, it is vital that this quality is thoroughly examined before any electro-optical system is permitted to be used in the field. Be sure to learn as much as you can about this kind of testing and you’ll understand its importance in military avionics.

A Concise Guide to Camera Testing Using Radiation Sources

16 August, 2017

Camera testing in the field of avionics requires the use of a range of different pieces of equipment, some of which rely upon the principles of black body radiation and thus involve integrating spheres. All three of the camera types considered below can be tested using such principles, but CCD-based day cameras may instead require a visible backlight. Take a look at the various electro-optical systems which can be tested and calibrated using specially designed test stations which examine the infrared and visible light sensors within.

Calibrating Electro Optical Test Equipment with Blackbodies

26 June, 2017

Electro optical test equipment can be used for a variety of different purposes within the field of aviation, having both commercial and military uses. When you want a thermal camera that detects and measure infrared radiation accurately enough to use for practical purposes, it’s vital that this kind of equipment is configured and calibrated properly. Consider the how black bodies are used to make sure that thermal imaging devices work as intended.

A Brief Overview of Integrating Sphere Coatings

14 May, 2017

The accuracy of an integrating sphere largely depends on the type of diffuse coating and the lining material that is used. Although different coatings are recommended for different optical power measurement applications, which are based on the wavelength of the light, it is important that the coating materials have properties that allow perfect and non-selective diffusing. This prevents the change in the color of light that may be caused due to repeated reflection inside the sphere.

History and applications of remote sensing

13 April, 2017

Remote sensing is essentially the process of using technology to gather information at a distance. This is accomplished through cameras and sensors such as infrared or radiographic devices. These can be either stationary ground devices or attached to mobile or wide-area vehicles such as ships. aircraft, satellites, or spacecraft.

Today's Practical Applications of Integrating Spheres

16 March, 2017

Being able to control the phase, amplitude, and the polarization state of optical beams electrically has been a boon to engineers in many industries, especially in communications. Using electro-optic amplitude and phase modulators, it is possible to control the amplitude, phase, and polarization of optical beams by simply applying an electrical stimulus. In communications systems, these sorts of modulators are capable of impressing information directly upon an optical frequency carrier. Unlike lasers where the laser itself is modulated, external modulators dont cause a degrading effect on lasers line width and stability.

Black body Radiation Sources and Selection

20 February, 2017

Black body radiation is the emission of electromagnetic energy by an object which is in a thermodynamic equilibrium. The blackbody emits an amount of energy depends on its temperature, with ideal blackbody absorbing and re-emitting all the incident radiations it receives at any wavelength.

Fundamental Applications of Integrating Spheres

Integrating spheres are multifaceted optical instruments designed to measure high-precision reflectance and scattered transmittance of virtually any surface. Scientists designed these units to achieve a homogenous distribution of optical radiation at the sphere’s inner surface. A diffuse white covering typically covers the interior of the spheres to ensure a uniform scattering effect. Specialists use them with a light source and a detector to measure optical power. Differences in the make-up of the inside coating of the spheres result in different radiances produced by the spheres.

Coating Materials and Ports Of Integrating Sphere

The integrating sphere is a hollow, spherical device, usually coated with a white reflective material on its inner surface. The device, also known as Ulbricht sphere, is used for optical applications such as measuring light flux outputs of light sources.

What are the applications of the Integrating Sphere

An integrating sphere is an apparatus which is primarily designed to collect electromagnetic radiation from a source or sample and to measure its total optical power. The sphere consists of a spherical cavity with a highly reflective, but diffuse, interior surface and small apertures for the entry and exit of radiation.

Testing and Measurement Applications of Integrating Sphere

Spheres have a broad array of applications in photometry. In most applications, these versatile optical elements are used together with other electro optical devices such as photometers and radiometers. In a research laboratory, an integrating sphere can be used in the measurement of transmittance or reflectance of materials. Spheres are also commonly used in calibration of electronic imaging devices and light measurement.

Using Blackbody Radiation in Thermal Imaging and Calibrating

An object may be considered as a perfect black body if it absorbs all the incoming light without any being reflected. An excellent example is a cavity that has a tiny hole in it. The total amount light incident that falls on that small hole goes straight into the cavity and basically never gets reflected out because for it to do so, it would need to undergo too many reflections off the cavity walls. If the walls are made absorptive, for example through painting it black, that cavity would make a perfect example of a black body.

The Versatile Capabilities of Integrating Spheres

The integrating spheres are commonly used in conducting photometric and radiometric measurements. Photometers and radiometers measure the optical energy that is coming from numerous sources such as lasers, fluorescent materials, electrical discharge sources and even the sun. The radiometer merely measures the power of the source whereas the photometers measure the power of the source the way the human eye perceives it.

Finding the Right Integrating Spheres for Your Application

It is not too hard to get a grip of what integrating spheres are all about. They are simply optical devices featuring entrance and exit ports and have a reflective inner Lambertian coating which is highly reflective and functions in scattering and diffusing light. However, picking just the right one for your application is the tricky part made more so by the availability of a number of different specifications and configurations.

Blackbody Radiation, Working and Application

An object is deemed to be a perfect black body when it can absorb all amounts of the incoming light without reflecting any. At room temperature, it would appear perfectly black. At any specified temperature, the radiation a blackbody emits is the maximum possible amount at that given temperature. Diverse objects will radiate differently at different wavelengths and temperatures based on their unique emissivity.

An overview of IR calibration with blackbody radiation sources

The principle of radiation thermometry has been used in various industries for several decades. However, its recent application upsurge in factory maintenance, HVAC, energy, and aerospace industries has drawn unprecedented attention to the calibration equipment and infrared (IR) thermometers that support them.