Equivalent path lengths in an integrating cavity: comment

Abstract

The equivalent absorption path length in an integrating cavity is examined. In an otherwise excellent paper, Tranchart et al. [Appl. Opt. 35, 7070 (1996)] made an important error in obtaining the expressions for the equivalent path length in an integrating cavity. This error has been propagated through several other publications in the literature. Since the equivalent path length is the sine qua non for obtaining an accurate absorption coefficient when using an integrating cavity, it is our intent here to give the correct formulas to prevent further errors when extracting absorption coefficients.