Optical radiation measurements and instrumentation

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Optical Radiation Measurement
• Radiation Safety

Background:

• Biological research increasingly utilizes optical radiation sources.
• Accurate measurement of broad-band noncoherent optical radiation is challenging for many researchers.
• Specialized knowledge of quantities, units, and instruments is often required.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the principles, quantities, units, and instrumentation for optical radiation measurement in biological research.
• To describe a conventional technique for evaluating optical radiation hazards.
• To present a new prototype ultraviolet radiation hazard monitor.

Main Methods:

• Review of optical radiation measurement processes, quantities, units, systems, instruments, and uncertainties.
• Description of a spectroradiometer for spectral quantity measurement.
• Presentation of a novel ultraviolet radiation hazard monitor utilizing a spectrograph and spectral weighting mask.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive review of optical radiation measurement practices and challenges is provided.
• A spectroradiometer suitable for measuring spectral quantities is detailed.
• The new ultraviolet radiation hazard monitor provides direct effective irradiance readings for wavelengths < 315 nm.

Conclusions:

• Improved understanding and accessibility of optical radiation measurement are needed for biological research.
• The developed spectroradiometer and ultraviolet radiation hazard monitor offer advancements in measurement capabilities.
• The new monitor simplifies the assessment of potential ultraviolet radiation hazards.