What is the integration sphere?

The integration sphere is a device used to test and measure certain features of a light source. The light is evenly scattered over the entire surface of the ball using a highly reflective coating with an equally high degree of diffusion. This diffusion allows you to measure properties that cannot otherwise be observed or measured. It can also be used as a means of providing uniform lighting of the test sample for other purposes such as research and photography. These can be very small models that are able to be held in one hand, or up to 6.5 feet (2 meters) or more diameter. Regardless of size and design data, the integration sphere has certain basic features. The aperture for a light source and a place for connecting optical detectors or other tools is standard. Some models can be able to receive multiple light sources that can be used individually or in tandem and have multiple instrumentation handles. A partition is a small physical barrier that prevents the transition of direct light fromresources directly to the detector or other tools.

The integration of the balls has an inner layer composed of one of several materials that reflect and distract light. By introducing a light source into such a hollow ball, the light disperses and discourages several times until its intensity is essentially the same at any point in the ball. The coating of the integrating ball depends on the wavelengths of the light, which is designed to reflect, such as visible, ultraviolet or infrared light.

Diffusion and reflection properties, resulting in uniform light intensity makes the integration sphere a useful tool for testing light sources such as lasers or other lights, and determining a large amount of information about their overall strength, intensity and efficiency. The integration of the sphere is also useful for testing sampling materials. By using a light source with known parameters, it is possible to accurately measure reflectivity, absorption and diffusion properties of the sample.