Spectrally Tunable Sources for Advanced Radiometric Applications

A common radiometric platform for the development of application-specific metrics to quantify the performance of sensors and systems is described. Using this platform, sensor and system performance may be quantified in terms of the accuracy of measurements of standardized sets of source distributions. The prototype platform consists of spectrally programmable light sources that can generate complex spectral distributions in the ultraviolet, visible and short-wave infrared regions for radiometric, photometric and colorimetric applications. In essence, the programmable spectral source is a radiometric platform for advanced instrument characterization and calibration that can also serve as a basis for algorithm testing and instrument comparison.     

Light-emitting-diode-based light source for calibration of an intensified charge-coupled device detection system intended for galvanoluminescence measurements

A spectrally tunable light source utilizing three light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for calibration of a highly sensitive intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) optical detection system intended for time-resolved galvanoluminescence (GL) measurements is described. The source has been conceived as a low-cost substitute for standard tungsten lamps usually used for relative and absolute calibration of optical detection systems. Three LEDs with different spectral characteristics in conjunction with a system of two integrating spheres as light mixers and light reducers are used. This construction provides control over the source spectrum by changing individual LED contributions. The use of integration spheres eliminated angular distribution of light intensities of LEDs as well as angular dependence of their spectral contributions. Moreover, by using the source we have avoided the problem of stray and diffuse light of higher wavelengths, as well as different light intensities for different wavelengths (up to three orders of magnitude in the range from 400 nm to 750 nm), which we have with standard tungsten lamps. A complete calibration procedure for the LED source and ICCD detection system is described. Finally, for the first time, we have performed time-resolved spectral GL measurements during aluminum anodization in porous film-forming electrolyte phosphoric acid in a transient regime. Two peaks at 425 nm and 595 nm are recognized, confirming the same mechanism of GL in both transient and steady-state regimes of anodization.     

Photometry and colorimetry of reference LEDs by using a compact goniophotometer

In the development, production control, quality assurance and during the selection of appropriate LEDs for very different applications, it is essential to know their photometric and colorimetric quantities very precisely. The calibration of the measuring devices required for this purpose is performed via LED transfer standards. These LED standards transfer photometric, spectroradiometric and colorimetric units and characteristics, from the National Metrology Institute (NMI) to the user. Finally, LED standards serve as references for the user. Usually a set of LED reference standards consists of at least four different LED colours (blue, green, red and white), sometimes even more. Further more it is very often necessary to have more than only one set of reference standards as a backup. This generally causes a large number of calibrations. To handle this work load, a special reference standard and a compact goniophotometer prove to be a considerable advantage. PTB developed a special LED transfer standard which operates under controlled conditions: a controlled LED chip temperature and a controlled chip current help to keep the photometric and colorimetric properties constant. On the other hand, a compact goniophotometer was designed to measure luminous flux, luminous intensity and colorimetric quantities of LED transfer standards in a relatively short time with low measurement uncertainties.     

Uncertainty evaluation for the spectroradiometric measurement of the averaged light-emitting diode intensity

An uncertainty evaluation is presented for the spectroradiometric measurement of the averaged LED intensity (ALI), which is a standardized photometric quantity of LEDs introduced by the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage. Using a spectral irradiance standard lamp as a calibration source for the spectroradiometer, 12 uncertainty components are sorted out and their propagation formulated with correlations between the components taken into account. The procedure of uncertainty evaluation is demonstrated for four LED samples of different colors; red, green, blue, and white. The relative uncertainties of the ALI of the test samples are determined to be in a range from 4.1% to 5.5% (k=2), but most of their dominant uncertainty components turn out to be systematic and correlated. In conclusion, correlations between the uncertainty components critically affect the overall uncertainty of the LED measurement using a spectroradiometer.     

Fundamental characteristics of a synthesized light source for optical coherence tomography

We describe the fundamental characteristics of a synthesized light source (SLS) consisting of two low-coherence light sources to enhance the spatial resolution for optical coherence tomography (OCT). The axial resolution of OCT is given by half the coherence length of the light source. We fabricated a SLS with a coherence length of 2.3 microm and a side-lobe intensity of 45% with an intensity ratio of LED1:LED2 = 1:0.5 by combining two light sources, LED1, with a central wavelength of 691 nm and a spectral bandwidth of 99 nm, and LED2, with a central wavelength of 882 nm and a spectral bandwidth of 76 nm. The coherence length of 2.3 microm was 56% of the shorter coherence length in the two LEDs, which indicates that the axial resolution is 1.2 microm. The lateral resolution was measured at less than 4.4 microm by use of the phase-shift method and with a test pattern as a sample. The measured rough surfaces of a coin are illustrated and discussed.     

Highly Efficient Spectrally Stable Red Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes

Perovskite light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) have recently attracted great research interest for their narrow emissions and solution processability. Remarkable progress has been achieved in green perovskite LEDs in recent years, but not blue or red ones. Here, highly efficient and spectrally stable red perovskite LEDs with quasi‐2D perovskite/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) composite thin films as the light‐emitting layer are reported. By controlling the molar ratios of organic salt (benzylammonium iodide) to inorganic salts (cesium iodide and lead iodide), luminescent quasi‐2D perovskite thin films are obtained with tunable emission colors from red to deep red. The perovskite/polymer composite approach enables quasi‐2D perovskite/PEO composite thin films to possess much higher photoluminescence quantum efficiencies and smoothness than their neat quasi‐2D perovskite counterparts. Electrically driven LEDs with emissions peaked at 638, 664, 680, and 690 nm have been fabricated to exhibit high brightness and external quantum efficiencies (EQEs). For instance, the perovskite LED with an emission peaked at 680 nm exhibits a brightness of 1392 cd m^?2 and an EQE of 6.23%. Moreover, exceptional electroluminescence spectral stability under continuous device operation has been achieved for these red perovskite LEDs.     

Fabrication of a tunable daylight simulator

Recently, solid state lighting has begun to play an important role in colorimetric instrumentation. LEDs are being evaluated as one of the possible standard light sources for such devices. In this study, an innovative tunable daylight simulator is developed, which mainly consists of only a few LEDs and a specially designed optical thin-film filter with a fixed transmission spectrum. This simulator is able to simulate daylight spectra with correlated color temperatures ranging from 4000 to 10,000?K with very good color rendition indices (CRI≧97). We have achieved the color difference 0.01, which is better than 0.015, a maximum tolerance as defined by the International Commission on Illumination of the color differences in 1976 u'v' color space between standard daylight and a simulator.     

Uncertainty Propagation for NIST Visible Spectral Standards

Uncertainties in the NIST spectral standards for detectors and sources in the visible wavelength range are propagated from the high accuracy cryogenic radiometer measurements, taking correlations into account at every stage. Partial correlations between spectral values at different wavelengths, important for subsequent radiometric calculations, are estimated. Uncertainty propagation through fitting and through transfer spectral measurements is described in detail. Detector uncertainties are propagated through the spectral comparator facility for external calibrations and for internal photometric quantities. Uncertainties in spectral irradiance are derived for the detector-based temperature determination, then propagated through working standards to calibrated artifacts. Spectral irradiance calibrations are generally provided at a limited number of wavelengths. Interpolation, rather than fitting, is recommended for the interpolation of NIST-provided spectral irradiance values.     

采样间隔对分布光度计测量LED总光通量的影响

利用计算机仿真LED单管球面空间各点照度值的方法,模拟了分布光度计标定4种典型LED单管总光通量值的过程,利用计算结果分析了分布光度计测量所采用的不同采样间隔对标定结果的系统误差。这4种LED单管的光强分布曲线分别为准朗伯、长茄形、双翼形和窄光束,涉及轴对称或非轴对称光强分布。计算结果显示,对于常见的LED单管光源,利用分布光度计采用2°等间隔法,在球带份数m值大于12的情况下,采样间隔选择所带来的系统偏差可控制在0.3%以内。     

Facility for spectral irradiance and radiance responsivity calibrations using uniform sources

Detectors have historically been calibrated for spectral power responsivity at the National Institute of Standards and Technology by using a lamp-monochromator system to tune the wavelength of the excitation source. Silicon detectors can be calibrated in the visible spectral region with combined standard uncertainties at the 0.1% level. However, uncertainties increase dramatically when measuring an instrument's spectral irradiance or radiance responsivity. We describe what we believe to be a new laser-based facility for spectral irradiance and radiance responsivity calibrations using uniform sources (SIRCUS) that was developed to calibrate instruments directly in irradiance or radiance mode with uncertainties approaching or exceeding those available for spectral power responsivity calibrations. In SIRCUS, the emission from high-power, tunable lasers is introduced into an integrating sphere using optical fibers, producing uniform, quasi-Lambertian, high-radiant-flux sources. Reference standard irradiance detectors, calibrated directly against national primary standards for spectral power responsivity and aperture area measurement, are used to determine the irradiance at a reference plane. Knowing the measurement geometry, the source radiance can be readily determined as well. The radiometric properties of the SIRCUS source coupled with state-of-the-art transfer standard radiometers whose responses are directly traceable to primary national radiometric scales result in typical combined standard uncertainties in irradiance and radiance responsivity calibrations of less than 0.1%. The details of the facility and its effect on primary national radiometric scales are discussed.     

LED光谱辐射强度测量不确定度分析

与LED测量紧密相关的测量不确定度具有非常重要的意义。通过选择恰当的数量、装置等,可以举例分析不确定度计算的过程。试验中采用可溯源至NIM的光谱光度计和标准LED,通过实验和计算分析了LED光谱辐射强度的测量不确定度。     

Wavelength intervals selection of illumination for separating objects from backgrounds in color vision applications

For scenes with complicated environments, the object is hard to discriminate from a background of various colors in color vision applications. This paper presents a partial least squares (PLS) method for improving discrimination of colored surfaces by selecting appropriate spectral intervals for illumination from the visible spectrum. First, the reflectance functions of all the surfaces are calibrated by multiple standard references. Second, the spectral intervals with high variables important in projection (VIP) scores of PLS analysis are selected for LED illumination. Afterwards, by using the selected wavelength intervals of LEDs for experiment, surfaces of the captured image can be clearly distinguished. Compared with the images obtained under illumination of unselected wavelength intervals of LEDs, the discriminations of most surfaces are more effective. The experiment result demonstrates the usefulness of this method.     

Detection of flame radicals using light-emitting diodes

Lasers are common tools in the field of combustion diagnostics. In some respects, however, they have disadvantages. Therefore, there is a need for new light sources delivering radiation in the required wavelength regions with high stability and reliability at low cost. Light-emitting diodes (LED) in the near- and mid-infrared spectral region have proven their potential for spectroscopic applications in the past. In the present work we demonstrate the feasibility of using ultraviolet LEDs for flame diagnostics. For this purpose, OH and CH radicals are detected in premixed methane/air flames. The LED emission is found to be stable after thermal equilibrium is reached. This was the case after a warming-up period in the order of minutes. The spectral characteristics were stable during a 24-h test.     

两种光源光通量测量方法的比较

介绍两种光源光通量测量方法：加V（λ）修正的光度计法和分光法,比较各自的特点,并分析影响光通量测量结果的因素。加V（λ）修正的光度计法测量光通量简捷、快速,但无法同时测量光色参数。随着新型光电测试技术的日益成熟,光谱辐射计性能越发完善,除了测量光源光通量,还可计算光源的色品坐标、色温、显色指数、色容差等色度参数。在CIE127中分光法被推荐为测量光源光色参数的方法。     

Differential spectral responsivity measurement of photovoltaic detectors with a light-emitting-diode-based integrating sphere source

We present an experimental realization of differential spectral responsivity measurement by using a light-emitting diode (LED)-based integrating sphere source. The spectral irradiance responsivity is measured by a Lambertian-like radiation field with a diameter of 40 mm at the peak wavelengths of the 35 selectable LEDs covering a range from 280 to 1550 nm. The systematic errors and uncertainties due to lock-in detection, spatial irradiance distribution, and reflection from the test detector are experimentally corrected or considered. In addition, we implemented a numerical procedure to correct the error due to the broad spectral bandwidth of the LEDs. The overall uncertainty of the DSR measurement is evaluated to be 2.2% (k = 2) for Si detectors. To demonstrate its application, we present the measurement results of two Si photovoltaic detectors at different bias irradiance levels up to 120 mW/cm(2).     

Thermal resistance of light emitting diode PCB with thermal vias

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are already familiar for use as lighting sources in various electronic devices and displays. LEDs have many advantages such as long life, low power consumption, and high reliability. In the future, as an alternative to fluorescent lighting, LEDs are certain to receive much attention. However, in components related to advanced LED packages or modules there has been an issue regarding the heat from the LED chip. The LED chip is still being developed for use in high-power devices which generate more heat. In this study, we investigate the variation of thermal resistance in LED modules embedded with thermal vias. Through the analysis of thermal resistance with various test vehicles, we obtained the concrete relationship between thermal resistance and the thermal via structure.     

Spectral matching technology for light-emitting diode-based jaundice photodynamic therapy device

The objective of this paper is to obtain the spectrum of light-emitting diode (LED)-based jaundice photodynamic therapy device (JPTD), the bilirubin absorption spectrum in vivo was regarded as target spectrum. According to the spectral constructing theory, a simple genetic algorithm as the spectral matching algorithm was first proposed in this study. The optimal combination ratios of LEDs were obtained, and the required LEDs number was then calculated. Meanwhile, the algorithm was compared with the existing spectral matching algorithms. The results show that this algorithm runs faster with higher efficiency, the switching time consumed is 2.06?s, and the fitting spectrum is very similar to the target spectrum with 98.15% matching degree. Thus, blue LED-based JPTD can replace traditional blue fluorescent tube, the spectral matching technology that has been put forward can be applied to the light source spectral matching for jaundice photodynamic therapy and other medical phototherapy.     

白光LED荧光粉的性能表征与测量

芯片与荧光粉的匹配优劣是影响白光LED性能的重要因素,针对这一问题,本文提出了LED荧光粉的性能表征与测量方法.采用了一种双分光式荧光粉测量系统,分析了荧光粉的光谱特性,得到了其三维光谱分布.并用发光效率,量子效率和能量效率来评价荧光粉特性.通过评价具有不同峰值波长的LED与荧光粉的匹配,得到了其最优匹配.结果表明此种系统和评价方法不仅可以得到荧光粉的特性,对于研究高效率白光LED有重要的意义.     

Optical characterization of ultrabright LEDs

Ultrabright light emitting diodes (LEDs) are a new light source for visual psychophysics and microscopy. The new LEDs are intended primarily for room and exterior illumination, and the manufacturers' specifications are adequate for that. However, we use them as light sources in situations where a more complete characterization may be useful. For one set of LEDs we have measured the radiometric intensity and its distribution in space and wavelength, and we have tested for interactions of these variables and their dependence on driver configuration. We describe techniques for making these measurements and give a link to a simple calculator for converting among radiometric and photometric measures, as well as an evaluation of the safety considerations these very bright sources demand.     

Automating FM Noise Measurements

With the proliferation of spectrally pure RF sources the developers of RF test systems have been faced with the problem of verifying this spectral purity, particularly the FM-noise sideband power levels associated with these sources. The PLL discriminator is one possible solution; however, its major drawback is that is requires a frequency source with spectral purity characteristics which are better than the source to be measured. The delay-line discriminator technique is an alternate solution to the problem. The latter technique has been successfully implemented and integrated into an automatic test system; its success is measured not only by its demonstrated performance characteristics but also by its simplicity which ensures its reliability and ease of maintenance.