When you need to measure a beam coming out of a fiber, there are some parameters that might have a somewhat different meaning than they do when referring to "regular" beam measurements. Missing some of these points could lead to incorrect measurement, and possible equipment damage. This video clarifies some issues you'll need to keep in mind so you can set up -- and perform -- this measurement correctly.

Collimating lens

This way the "first bounce" will be directed to the opposite side of the sphere, ensuring that the detector will in fact see only light from the "second bounce" and onward, i.e. light that has been uniformly distributed around the inner sphere surface (normally, light from the "first bounce" of a collimated beam is not yet uniformly distributed and we don’t want the detector to see it – that is the main idea behind the different C and D configurations. This trick gets around that).

When you need to measure a beam coming out of a fiber, there are some parameters that might have a somewhat different meaning than they do when referring to "regular" beam measurements. Missing some of these points could lead to incorrect measurement, and possible equipment damage. This video clarifies some issues you'll need to keep in mind so you can set up -- and perform -- this measurement correctly.

The IS6-C modular integrating sphere body has a 5.3 in. inside diameter for use with collimated beams. It has no detectors so the detection configuration for the IS6-C is done by the user. It can also be used as a uniform light source.

* The GXR interchangeable unit camera system has camera units with a fixed focal length lens and camera units with a zoom lens.

Collimated beamtesting

Choose products to compare anywhere you see 'Add to Compare' or 'Compare' options displayed. Compare All Close

A detector placed in the sphere thus gets the same intensity as anywhere else and the power the detector detects is thus proportional to the total incident power independent of the beam divergence. (The detector is so arranged that it only sees scattered light and not the incident beam). An ideal integrating sphere has a surface with reflective properties are Lambertian. This means that light incident on the surface is scattered uniformly in all directions in the 2pi steradians solid angle above the surface. The surface used by Ophir closely approximates a Lambertian surface.

The damage thresholds for your Integrating Sphere sensors are only given for the sphere surface – what about for the detector?

This way the "first bounce" will be directed to the opposite side of the sphere, ensuring that the detector will in fact see only light from the "second bounce" and onward, i.e. light that has been uniformly distributed around the inner sphere surface (normally, light from the "first bounce" of a collimated beam is not yet uniformly distributed and we don’t want the detector to see it – that is the main idea behind the different C and D configurations. This trick gets around that).

3A-IS Series The 3A-IS series has two 50mm integrating spheres in series with a photodiode detector. The two series spheres scramble up the light very well thus giving output very independent of incident beam divergence angle. The two spheres in series also insure that the light hitting the detector is greatly reduced in intensity thus allowing use up to 3 Watts even though photodiodes saturate at about 1mW. There are two models, the 3A-IS with a silicon photodiode for 400 – 1100nm and the 3A-ISIRG with an InGaAs detector for 800 – 1700nm

An unused port should be closed, to prevent unwanted light from entering the sphere. Closing it with a diffuse white port plug, however, adds the surface area of that plug to the (diffuse white) effective area of the sphere that is doing the “integrating”. For a calibrated integrating sphere sensor, this change in the behavior of the sphere changes its calibration, and results in incorrect readings. In such applications, a black “Port Cover” should be used.

Here is a trick that would make this possible: The beam should be aimed so that it is incident close to the detector port (but not hitting the baffle) – as shown in this drawing:

The angle indicating the width of the field included in the photo is called the "angle of view." A wide-angle lens has a wide angle of view and a telephoto lens has a narrow angle of view.

Collimation definition in radiography

All Ophir power meters, including photodiode power meters, have an air gap between the fiber tip and the sensor. Therefore they measure the power emitted by the fiber into the air and do not take into account any reflection losses there are in the fiber. Therefore, if in actual use, the fiber will be coupled with no loss to another element, then the losses should be added to the reading. These losses are usually about 4%. Thus if the reading on the Ophir meter is say 100 mW, then in lossless use, the real power will be 104 mW.

A conversion lens is attached to a lens to enable it to take photos with a wider angle or stronger telephoto magnification.

The Ophir integrating sphere sensors, models 3A-IS and 3A-IS-IRG have a white diffuse reflecting coating on the inside of the integrating sphere. The sensitivity of the sensor is quite sensitive to the reflectivity of the coating. If the coating absorption goes up 1%, it can cause a 5% change in reading. Therefore, care must be taken not to soil or damage the white coating of the sensors. Also it may be a good idea to send the sensors for recalibration yearly.

A detector placed in the sphere thus gets the same intensity as anywhere else and the power the detector detects is thus proportional to the total incident power independent of the beam divergence. (The detector is so arranged that it only sees scattered light and not the incident beam). An ideal integrating sphere has a surface with reflective properties are Lambertian. This means that light incident on the surface is scattered uniformly in all directions in the 2pi steradians solid angle above the surface. The surface used by Ophir closely approximates a Lambertian surface.

Unless otherwise indicated, Ophir sensors and meters should be recalibrated within 18 months after initial purchase, and then once a year after that.

3A-IS Series The 3A-IS series has two 50mm integrating spheres in series with a photodiode detector. The two series spheres scramble up the light very well thus giving output very independent of incident beam divergence angle. The two spheres in series also insure that the light hitting the detector is greatly reduced in intensity thus allowing use up to 3 Watts even though photodiodes saturate at about 1mW. There are two models, the 3A-IS with a silicon photodiode for 400 – 1100nm and the 3A-ISIRG with an InGaAs detector for 800 – 1700nm

Customers that purchase the above items also consider the following items. Ophir-Spiricon meters and sensors include a standard manufacturers warranty for one year. Add a one year Extended Warranty to your meter or sensor, which includes one recalibration.

The distance from the center of the lens to the image focal point (=image sensor surface) is known as the focal length. It is expressed in millimeter (mm) units. A lens with a short focal length is a wide-angle lens and one with a long focal length is a telephoto lens.

Attaching a 0.75x wide conversion lens to a 28 mm lens gives an angle of view equivalent to a 21 mm ultra wide-angle lens.

Integrating Sphere Theory Integrating spheres are used when we have divergent light sources. As shown in the illustration, an integrating sphere has its inner surface coated with a surface that highly reflects (typically 99%) in a scattering, nonspecular way. Thus when a divergent beam hits the walls of the integrating sphere, the light is reflected and scattered many times until the light hitting any place on the walls of the sphere has the same intensity.

With a zoom lens, when you turn on macro mode and move as close as possible while still keeping the subject in focus, the minimum distance to the subject and the size of the subject in the frame will differ depending on whether the lens is at a wide-angle or telephoto zoom position. With a wide-angle setting you may be too close and with a telephoto setting you may be too far away so adjust the focal length to find the one that makes it easiest to take the shots you want.

All Ophir power meters, including photodiode power meters, have an air gap between the fiber tip and the sensor. Therefore they measure the power emitted by the fiber into the air and do not take into account any reflection losses there are in the fiber. Therefore, if in actual use, the fiber will be coupled with no loss to another element, then the losses should be added to the reading. These losses are usually about 4%. Thus if the reading on the Ophir meter is say 100 mW, then in lossless use, the real power will be 104 mW.

The damage threshold is given in the datasheet for the sphere inner surface rather than for the detector itself, because the sphere surface will reach its damage threshold long before the detector will. A beam entering the sphere will first hit the inner surface on the opposite side of the sphere, and if at that point the power density is too high it will damage the inner surface of the sphere. From that first "meeting" of the beam with the white diffuse reflective inner sphere surface, it will be diffusely reflected multiple times. Since there is no direct line of sight between the entrance port and the detector, any light reaching the detector has already been uniformly distributed around the inner surface of the sphere, but light in that "first impact" on the sphere wall has not yet been uniformly distributed. Therefore, the "damage threshold" for the device is the maximum power density of the beam as it first hits the inner wall.

Measuring the emitted power of an LED can be tricky. It is different in some important ways from measuring the power of a laser beam. This video shows you how to use the Ophir 3A-IS Integrating Sphere Sensor, along with the Auxiliary LED accessory, to easily make accurate measurements in LED applications.

Collimatedmeaning in Physics

An unused port should be closed, to prevent unwanted light from entering the sphere. Closing it with a diffuse white port plug, however, adds the surface area of that plug to the (diffuse white) effective area of the sphere that is doing the “integrating”. For a calibrated integrating sphere sensor, this change in the behavior of the sphere changes its calibration, and results in incorrect readings. In such applications, a black “Port Cover” should be used.

For applications that need a large Integrating Sphere, Ophir offers the IS6 series. These are 6” Integrating Spheres, available with and without built-in calibrated sensors, in a range of configurations. Get to know the IS6 family in this video.

Yes, opt-in.  By checking this box, you agree to receive our newsletters, announcements, surveys and marketing offers in accordance with our privacy policy

The Ophir integrating sphere sensors, models 3A-IS and 3A-IS-IRG have a white diffuse reflecting coating on the inside of the integrating sphere. The sensitivity of the sensor is quite sensitive to the reflectivity of the coating. If the coating absorption goes up 1%, it can cause a 5% change in reading. Therefore, care must be taken not to soil or damage the white coating of the sensors. Also it may be a good idea to send the sensors for recalibration yearly.

Measuring the emitted power of an LED can be tricky. It is different in some important ways from measuring the power of a laser beam. This video shows you how to use the Ophir 3A-IS Integrating Sphere Sensor, along with the Auxiliary LED accessory, to easily make accurate measurements in LED applications.

Among the Integrating Sphere accessories offered, there are “Port Plugs” (white), and “Port Covers” (black). What’s the difference?

The damage thresholds for your Integrating Sphere sensors are only given for the sphere surface – what about for the detector?

How to make acollimated beam

When a power/energy meter is in "Calibrate" mode, various "Factors" are displayed to the user. This video explains the meaning of each of these factors.

The IS6-C modular integrating sphere body has a 5.3 in. inside diameter for use with collimated beams. It has no detectors so the detection configuration for the IS6-C is done by the user. It can also be used as a uniform light source.

Integrating Sphere Theory Integrating spheres are used when we have divergent light sources. As shown in the illustration, an integrating sphere has its inner surface coated with a surface that highly reflects (typically 99%) in a scattering, nonspecular way. Thus when a divergent beam hits the walls of the integrating sphere, the light is reflected and scattered many times until the light hitting any place on the walls of the sphere has the same intensity.

Among the Integrating Sphere accessories offered, there are “Port Plugs” (white), and “Port Covers” (black). What’s the difference?

This is a lens used for close-up photography. A macro lens can shoot from a distance closer to the subject than a regular lens. The GXR interchangeable unit camera system has a camera unit with a 50 mm macro lens. Link to more information on GXR camera unit

Unless otherwise indicated, Ophir sensors and meters should be recalibrated within 18 months after initial purchase, and then once a year after that.

Here is a trick that would make this possible: The beam should be aimed so that it is incident close to the detector port (but not hitting the baffle) – as shown in this drawing:

Collimatedflashlight

Can I use my IS6-D Integrating Sphere (which is normally used for measuring Divergent beams) to measure a Collimated beam? I know that normally one would use an IS6-C for Collimated beams, but can I manage with my -D sphere on a 1-time basis?

In general, as the divergence angle of the beam entering the integrating sphere increases - and as its diameter increases – the assumptions on which we base the sphere’s performance (infinite reflections inside the sphere walls, perfectly uniform distribution of light inside the sphere, etc.) become less correct. We therefore specify the maximum beam divergence (such as ± 60⁰), and we also state the maximum possible change in reading caused by change in beam size. In fact, we also state in the data sheet that the maximum additional uncertainty due to beam size is only ±1% for beam divergence < 30⁰, and ±3% for beam divergence > 30⁰. To give this more meaning: Basically, if you measure the power using a beam that is a few mm in diameter, that has a relatively small divergence angle, and is centered on the sphere’s input port aperture, you can safely ignore this additional uncertainty.

Can I use my IS6-D Integrating Sphere (which is normally used for measuring Divergent beams) to measure a Collimated beam? I know that normally one would use an IS6-C for Collimated beams, but can I manage with my -D sphere on a 1-time basis?

Even if the focal lengths of the lenses of two digital cameras are the same, the angle of view can vary depending on the size of the image sensor used in each. To make it easier to understand angle of view, focal length is often expressed as "__ mm equivalent," which means it has been converted to the 35 mm film camera format that has been historically the most common. Here on this site also, we state focal lengths that are converted into 35 mm film camera format.

In order to provide better service and products, please provide the following brief information. Any future resource requests will be automatically available.

Collimated beamof light

200-1100 nm 300nw-1W 400-1100 nm 20µW-30W 700-1800 nm 20µW-30W Collimated beam < ±15° Beam diameter < 25mm IS6-C-UV IS6-C-VIS IS6-C-IR Collimated beam < ±30° Beam diameter > 25mm IS6-C-UV-2.5’’ Divergent beam > ±15° Max divergence < ±40° Beam diameter < 25mm IS6-D-UV IS6-D-VIS IS6-D-IR Divergent beam > ±15° Max divergence < ±56° Beam diameter < 10mm Divergent beam > ±15° Max divergence < ±60° Beam diameter < 5mm Highly divergent beam <±85° Beam diameter < 8mm IS6-D-IR-170

Attaching a 1.88x teleconversion lens to a 72 mm lens gives an angle of view equivalent to a 135 mm medium telephoto lens.

For applications that need a large Integrating Sphere, Ophir offers the IS6 series. These are 6” Integrating Spheres, available with and without built-in calibrated sensors, in a range of configurations. Get to know the IS6 family in this video.

The damage threshold is given in the datasheet for the sphere inner surface rather than for the detector itself, because the sphere surface will reach its damage threshold long before the detector will. A beam entering the sphere will first hit the inner surface on the opposite side of the sphere, and if at that point the power density is too high it will damage the inner surface of the sphere. From that first "meeting" of the beam with the white diffuse reflective inner sphere surface, it will be diffusely reflected multiple times. Since there is no direct line of sight between the entrance port and the detector, any light reaching the detector has already been uniformly distributed around the inner surface of the sphere, but light in that "first impact" on the sphere wall has not yet been uniformly distributed. Therefore, the "damage threshold" for the device is the maximum power density of the beam as it first hits the inner wall.

Collimated beammeaning

When a power/energy meter is in "Calibrate" mode, various "Factors" are displayed to the user. This video explains the meaning of each of these factors.

In general, as the divergence angle of the beam entering the integrating sphere increases - and as its diameter increases – the assumptions on which we base the sphere’s performance (infinite reflections inside the sphere walls, perfectly uniform distribution of light inside the sphere, etc.) become less correct. We therefore specify the maximum beam divergence (such as ± 60⁰), and we also state the maximum possible change in reading caused by change in beam size. In fact, we also state in the data sheet that the maximum additional uncertainty due to beam size is only ±1% for beam divergence < 30⁰, and ±3% for beam divergence > 30⁰. To give this more meaning: Basically, if you measure the power using a beam that is a few mm in diameter, that has a relatively small divergence angle, and is centered on the sphere’s input port aperture, you can safely ignore this additional uncertainty.