A core technology in spectrophotometric colorimetry is the integrating sphere. Designs incorporating the principles of the integrating sphere make spectrophotometric colorimetry more accurate and reliable, and more suitable for market color measurement needs. The integrating sphere, like an optical diffuser, presents numerous challenges, such as which integrating sphere angle is most suitable for spectrophotometric colorimetry and which coatings offer the most stable and long-lasting performance.
Integrating spheres act as optical diffusers to reduce measurement errors and obtain more accurate measurement results. Generally speaking, the proper use of optical diffusers can reduce errors caused by uneven distribution of incident light on the detector or beam deviation during measurement, thereby improving the accuracy of spectrophotometer measurements.
International common d/8, SCI/SCE , SCI+SCE Synchronous measurement
TS8520 spectrophotometer adopts D/8(diffused illumination, 8-degree viewing angle) which is widely applicable in the world, and SCI/SCE (specular component included/specular component excluded) Synthesis technology, supporting SCI+SCE simultaneous rapid measurement.
The working principle of an integrating sphere is that light passing through a sampling aperture is collected by the sphere, then reflected and refracted multiple times within the sphere until it is evenly scattered throughout the sphere. Using an integrating sphere to measure luminous flux can make the results of a spectrophotometer more accurate and reliable. Integrating spheres can significantly reduce and eliminate measurement errors caused by variations in light shape, divergence angle, and detection position.
Most integrating spheres used in spectrophotometers currently have a coated inner reflective layer, which can yellow and peel over time. Once this occurs, the spectrophotometer cannot provide accurate measurement data, and the entire integrating sphere must be replaced. As a key component of a spectrophotometer, the integrating sphere is expensive to repair and replace, significantly increasing the cost of the instrument. Therefore, it is imperative that a spectrophotometer use a high-quality integrating sphere. High-quality integrating spheres are constructed entirely of stable, durable, highly reflective materials that are resistant to aging, discoloration, and peeling. This ensures a long service life and low maintenance costs.
Automatically adjusting the integration time according to the color depth of the object ensures fast measurement. The average measurement time is 1/2-1/5 of that of similar instruments, which is extremely fast. At the same time, it solves the instability problem that some domestic spectrophotometers have when measuring dark parts.
When discussing integrating spheres, the term “dynamic integrating sphere time” is crucial. Dynamic integrating sphere time refers to the ability of the microcomputer in a spectrophotometer to automatically determine the color depth and color category based on the reflected light of the object being measured, adjusting the sampling time accordingly. This critical parameter enables accurate color calculation of even dark objects with low reflected light. This rapid, millisecond-level determination and processing technology is completely automated by the computer, making manual operation imperceptible. This unique technology is unique to spectrophotometers. To promote industry progress and development, spectrophotometers have publicly disclosed this innovation without repetitive patent applications. This is primarily due to the numerous patents already filed, and also to the desire for a breakthrough in the industry to address the instability associated with measuring dark areas. While the technology is publicly available, implementation remains challenging. Only by mastering the core techniques can its full potential be fully realized.
The application of integrating spheres improves the stability and accuracy of spectrophotometers, while also improving the measurement range and shortening the measurement time. This is a milestone in the history of color management.