Spectral Irradiance Calibration Research Articles

Advancements in solar spectral irradiance measurements by the TSIS-1 spectral irradiance monitor and its role for long-term data continuity

The first implementation of NASA’s Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor (TSIS-1) launched on December 15th, 2017, and was integrated into the International Space Station (ISS) to measure both the total solar irradiance (TSI) and the solar spectral irradiance (SSI). The direct measurement of the SSI is made by the LASP Spectral Irradiance Monitor (SIM) and provides data essential to interpreting how the Earth system responds to solar spectral variability. Extensive advances in TSIS-1 SIM instrument design and new SI-traceable spectral irradiance calibration techniques have resulted in improved absolute accuracy with uncertainties of less than 0.5% over the continuous 200–2400 nm spectral range. Furthermore, improvements in the long-term spectral stability corrections provide lower trend uncertainties in SSI variability measurements. Here we present the early results of the TSIS-1 SIM measurements covering the first 5 years of operations. This time period includes the descending phase of solar cycle 24, the last solar minimum, and the ascending phase of solar cycle 25. The TSIS-1 SIM SSI results are compared to previous measurements both in the absolute scale of the solar spectrum and the time dependence of the SSI variability. The TSIS-1 SIM SSI spectrum shows lower IR irradiance (up to 6% at 2400 nm) and small visible increases (~0.5%) from some previous reference solar spectra. Finally, initial comparisons are made to current NRLSSI2 and SATIRE-S SSI model results and offer opportunities to validate model details both for short-term (solar rotation) spectral variability and, for the first time, the longer-term (near half solar cycle) spectral variability across the solar spectrum from the UV to the IR.

Pyroelectric detector-based method for low uncertainty spectral irradiance and radiance responsivity calibrations in the infrared using tunable lasers.

The standard uncertainty of detector-based radiance and irradiance responsivity calibrations in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) traditionally has been limited to around 1% or higher by the poor spatial uniformity of detectors used to transfer the scale from radiant power. Pyroelectric detectors offer a solution that avoids the spatial uniformity uncertainty but also introduces additional complications due to alternating current (AC) measurement techniques. Herein, a new, to the best of our knowledge, method for low uncertainty irradiance responsivity calibrations in the SWIR is presented. An absolute spectral irradiance responsivity scale was placed on two pyroelectric detectors (PED) at wavelengths λ from 500 to 3400 nm. The total combined uncertainty (k=1) was ≈0.28% (>1000nm), 0.44% (900 nm), and 0.36% (≈950nm and <900nm) for PED #1 and 0.34% (>1000nm), 0.48% (900 nm), and 0.42% (≈950nm and <900nm) for PED #2. This was done by utilizing a demodulation technique to digitally analyze the time-dependent AC waveforms, which obviates the use of lock-in amplifiers and avoids associated additional uncertainty components.

A calibration-free two-dimensional spectral soot emission platform for temperature and soot measurements

A simple and cost-effective temperature and soot volume fraction measurement technique that does not rely on spectral or absolute irradiance calibration is developed. The technique is based on a three-sensor CMOS camera, where the broadband sensitivity of RGB sensors were narrowed down to representative wavelengths using a tri-bandpass filter. A telecentric imaging lens was used to improve the accuracy of the tomographic deconvolution of the axisymmetrical ethylene laminar diffusion flames stabilized on a co-flow burner. Temperature and soot concentration measurements have been compared with results previously reported from the same burner. Good agreement for temperature measurements and excellent agreement for soot concentration measurements have been shown. Additionally, to demonstrate the dynamic range of the system, two-dimensional temperature and soot volume fraction fields were measured for four cases of dilution corresponding to various soot loadings. As the dilution rate was increased, the peak soot volume fraction was drastically reduced and temperatures were increased in accordance with the reduced dissipative heat losses from broadband soot radiation.

The linearization of the relationship between scene luminance and digital camera output levels

The linearization of the relationship between scene luminance and digital camera output levels

Opto-mechanical design and calibration of a hyperspectral irradiance monitor.

A hyperspectral irradiance monitor (HIM) is designed to measure the direct solar spectral irradiance on the ground, which can be used for research on climate change and vicarious calibration. The spectrometer uses a Féry prism to disperse and converge light, and a linear image sensor (NMOS) measures the spectral irradiance ranging from 400 nm to 1100 nm. The instrument utilizes two flat mirrors to fold the optical path, and optical software is used to optimize the key parameters. The dispersion equation of the prism and two characteristic wavelengths of the laser are utilized for the spectral calibration, for which the uncertainty of the spectral calibration is less than 0.8 nm. A standard lamp is used for the spectral irradiance calibration, for which the uncertainty of the spectral irradiance calibration is less than 2.78% (k=2). The instrument runs stably in the field.

SI-traceable Spectral Irradiance Radiometric Characterization and Absolute Calibration of the TSIS-1 Spectral Irradiance Monitor (SIM)

The current implementation for continuous, long-term solar spectral irradiance (SSI) monitoring is the Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor (TSIS-1) Spectral Irradiance Monitor (SIM) that began operations from the International Space Station (ISS) in March 2018 and nominally provides an SSI spectrum every 12 h. Advances in both instrument design and spectral irradiance calibration techniques have resulted in the TSIS-1 SIM achieving higher absolute accuracy than its predecessor instrument in the wavelength range (200–2400 nm). A comprehensive detector-based Spectral Radiometer Facility (SRF) was developed in collaboration with the US National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) to ensure the ties to spectral SI standards in power and irradiance. Traceability is achieved via direct laser calibration of a focal plane electrical substitution radiometer (ESR) against a cryogenic radiometer in power and also irradiance responsivity via calibrated apertures. The SIM accuracy definition followed an absolute sensor approach based on a full radiometric measurement equation where component-level performance characterizations and calibrations were quantified with an associated uncertainty error budget and verified by independent measurements for each parameter. Unit-level characterizations were completed over the full operational envelope of external driving factors (e.g., pointing and temperature ranges) and were allowed for the independent parameterization of sub-assembly performance for expected operating conditions. Validation and final instrument end-to-end absolute calibration in the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP)-SRF achieved low combined standard uncertainty (uc &lt; 0.25%, k = 1) in spectral irradiance.

Invited Article: Advances in tunable laser-based radiometric calibration applications at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, USA.

Recent developments at the National Institute of Standards and Technology's facility for Spectral Irradiance and Radiance responsivity Calibrations using Uniform Sources (SIRCUS) are presented. The facility is predicated on the use of broadly tunable narrow-band lasers as light sources in two key radiometric calibration applications. In the first application, the tunable lasers are used to calibrate the spectral power responsivities of primary standard detectors against an absolute cryogenic radiometer (ACR). The second function is to calibrate the absolute radiance and irradiance responsivities of detectors with uniform light sources, typically generated by coupling the laser light into integrating spheres. The radiant flux from the uniform sources is determined by the ACR-calibrated primary standard detectors. Together these sources and detectors are used to transfer radiometric scales to a variety of optical instruments with low uncertainties. We describe methods for obtaining the stable, uniform light sources required for low uncertainty measurements along with advances in laser sources that facilitate tuning over broader wavelength ranges. Example applications include the development of a detector-based thermodynamic temperature scale, the calibration and characterization of spectrographs, and the use of a traveling version of SIRCUS (T-SIRCUS) to calibrate large aperture Earth observing instruments and astronomical telescopes.

Monochromatic measurements of the JPSS-1 VIIRS polarization sensitivity.

Polarization sensitivity is a critical property that must be characterized for spaceborne remote sensing instruments designed to measure reflected solar radiation. Broadband testing of the first Joint Polar-orbiting Satellite System (JPSS-1) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) showed unexpectedly large polarization sensitivities for the bluest bands on VIIRS (centered between 400 and 600 nm). Subsequent ray trace modeling indicated that large diattenuation on the edges of the bandpass for these spectral bands was the driver behind these large sensitivities. Additional testing using the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Traveling Spectral Irradiance and Radiance Responsivity Calibrations Using Uniform Sources was added to the test program to verify and enhance the model. The testing was limited in scope to two spectral bands at two scan angles; nonetheless, this additional testing provided valuable insight into the polarization sensitivity. Analysis has shown that the derived diattenuation agreed with the broadband measurements to within an absolute difference of about 0.4% and that the ray trace model reproduced the general features of the measured data. Additionally, by deriving the spectral responsivity, the linear diattenuation is shown to be explicitly dependent on the changes in bandwidth with polarization state.

Development of two-band infrared radiometer for irradiance calibration of target simulators.

A detector-based spectral radiometer has been developed for the calibration of target simulator. Unlike the conventional spectral irradiance calibration method based on radiance and irradiance, the new radiometer is calibrated using image-space temperature based method. The image-space temperature based method improves the reproducibility in the calibration of radiometer and reduces the uncertainties existing in the conventional calibration methods. The calibrated radiometer is then used to establish the irradiance transfer standard for the target simulator. With the designed radiometer in this paper, a highly accurate irradiance calibration for target simulators of wavelength from 2.05 to 2.55 μm and from 3.7 to 4.8 μm can be performed with an expanded uncertainty (k = 2) of calibration of 2.18%. Last but not least, the infrared radiation of the target simulator was measured by the infrared radiometer, the effectiveness and capability of which are verified through measurement of temperature and irradiance and a comparison with the thermal imaging camera.

Spectral responsivity-based calibration of photometer and colorimeter standards

Several new generation transfer- and working-standard illuminance meters and tristimulus colorimeters have been developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) [1] to measure all kinds of light sources with low uncertainty. The spectral and broad-band (illuminance) responsivities of the photometer (Y) channels of two tristimulus meters were determined at both the Spectral Irradiance and Radiance Responsivity Calibrations using Uniform Sources (SIRCUS) facility and the Spectral Comparator Facility (SCF) [2]. The two illuminance responsivities agreed within 0.1% with an overall uncertainty of 0.2% (k = 2), which is a factor of two improvement over the present NIST photometric scale. The first detector-based tristimulus color scale [3] was realized. All channels of the reference tristimulus colorimeter were calibrated at the SIRCUS. The other tristimulus meters were calibrated at the SCF and also against the reference meter on the photometry bench in broad-band measurement mode. The agreement between detector- and source-based calibrations was within 3 K when a tungsten lamp-standard was measured at 2856 K and 3100 K [4]. The color–temperature uncertainty of tungsten lamp measurements was 4 K (k = 2) between 2300 K and 3200 K, which is a factor of two improvement over the presently used NIST source-based color temperature scale. One colorimeter was extended with an additional (fifth) channel to apply software implemented matrix corrections. With this correction, the spectral mismatch caused color difference errors were decreased by a factor of 20 for single-color LEDs.

Method for the calibration of the spectral irradiance of tungsten filament transfer standard sources traceable to synchrotron radiation

The spectral irradiance calibration of tungsten strip and spiral filament lamps applying synchrotron radiation revealed that the spectral irradiance in the wavelength range from 280 to 400nm can be well approximated by blackbody radiation according to Planck's law. Consequently, the spectral irradiance of the filament lamp can then be described by an effective irradiance temperature, which would be beneficial for practical measurements. Including the emissivity of tungsten into the approximation, the model can be expanded to visible and near-infrared wavelength regions. The effective irradiance temperature dependence of the lamp current was investigated and appeared to be close to linear.

A new method for spectral irradiance and radiance responsivity calibrations using kilohertz pulsed tunable optical parametric oscillators

Continuous-wave (CW) tunable lasers have been used for detector calibrations, especially for spectral irradiance and radiance responsivity, for many years at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and other national metrology institutes. These CW tunable lasers, however, are expensive and difficult to automate. To address these issues, we developed a new method for spectral irradiance and radiance responsivity calibrations using relatively low cost, fully automated kilohertz pulsed tunable optical parametric oscillators (OPOs). The new method is based on measurements of the total energy of a pulsed OPO train using two synchronized current integrators (also called charge amplifiers) to measure the total integrated electric charges from a test detector and a standard detector, respectively. The absolute expanded uncertainty of this method is estimated to be 0.05% (with a coverage factor of k = 2) for spectral irradiance responsivity calibrations, and the dominant uncertainty contribution is from the reference trap detector.

大气/真空环境紫外臭氧垂直探测仪光谱辐照度定标研究

大气/真空环境紫外臭氧垂直探测仪光谱辐照度定标研究

Stray light characterization of an InGaAs anamorphic hyperspectral imager

Compact hyperspectral sensors potentially have a wide range of applications, including machine vision, quality control, and surveillance from small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). With the development of Indium Gallium Arsenide (InGaAs) focal plane arrays, much of the Short Wave Infra-Red (SWIR) spectral regime can be accessed with a small hyperspectral imaging system, thereby substantially expanding hyperspectral sensing capabilities. To fully realize this potential, system performance must be well-understood. Here, stray light characterization of a recently-developed push-broom hyperspectral sensor sensitive in the 1 microm -1.7 microm spectral regime is described. The sensor utilizes anamorphic fore-optics that partially decouple image formation along the spatial and spectral axes of the instrument. This design benefits from a reduction in complexity over standard high-performance spectrometer optical designs while maintaining excellent aberration control and spatial and spectral distortion characteristics. The stray light performance characteristics of the anamorphic imaging spectrometer were measured using the spectral irradiance and radiance responsivity calibrations using uniform sources (SIRCUS) facility at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). A description of the measurements and results are presented. Additionally, a stray-light matrix was assembled for the instrument to improve the instrument's spectral accuracy. Transmittance of a silicon wafer was measured to validate this approach.

Long-term monitoring of the ultraviolet irradiance scale at the facility for irradiance calibration using synchrotrons

In 2004, the National Institute of Standards and Technology established the ultraviolet spectral irradiance scale from 200 nm to 400 nm using the calculable irradiance of the Synchrotron Ultraviolet Radiation Facility (SURF). Since the establishment of the scale, spectral irradiance calibrations of many customer lamps have been performed in direct comparison with synchrotron radiation. However, to ensure long-term stability of the scale, three check-standard deuterium lamps were calibrated using SURF III at the same time as customer lamps were being calibrated. Here, we present the results of the long-term monitoring of the scale using these check-standard lamps to ensure customer lamps are calibrated within the expanded calibration uncertainty (k = 2) of 1.2%.

From primary standard to mobile measurements — Overview of the Spectral Irradiance Calibration Equipment at PTB

The Spectral Irradiance Calibration Equipment (SPICE) at PTB incorporates several radiometric installations. They can be flexibly combined for a large variety of measurement requirements. The instrumentation consists of high-temperature blackbodies as primary radiometric standards, high-quality spectroradiometer systems and a variety of auxiliary measurement equipment. Besides the realization and dissemination of spectral irradiance to various international customers, SPICE enables PTB to investigate new developments in the field of source-based spectroradiometry. Several successfully finished international intercomparisons and cooperations validate the quality and flexibility of SPICE.

Spectral irradiance calibrations at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC)

The basis of accurate photometric evaluations of light sources is provided by accurate spectral measurements under specified geometric conditions. This accuracy is ensured by traceable, internationally recognized absolute spectroradiometric scales. National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) develop primary-level spectroradiometric facilities and verify these absolute optical measurements through international comparisons with other NMIs. This paper describes the NRC facilities, standards and the results of recent international CCPR (Consultative Committee for Photometry and Radiometry) key comparisons of spectral irradiance measurements. It concludes with a brief update on our plans for using our new high-temperature blackbody as the basis for a new spectroradiometric scale.

Radiometer standard for absolute responsivity calibrations from 950 nm to 1650 nm with 0.05% (k = 2) uncertainty

A near-IR radiometer standard with similar performance to silicon trap detectors has been developed to calibrate detectors and radiometers for absolute spectral power, irradiance and radiance responsivities between 950 nm and 1650 nm. The new radiometer standard is utilized at the Spectral Irradiance and Radiance Responsivity Calibrations using Uniform Sources (SIRCUS) which is the reference calibration facility of NIST for absolute responsivity. The radiometer standard is a sphere detector with a unique geometrical arrangement and it can convert the radiant power responsivity scale of the primary-standard cryogenic radiometer into a reference irradiance responsivity scale. The 0.05% (k = 2) scale conversion uncertainty is dominated by the two largest uncertainty components of the radiometer: the spatial non-uniformity of responsivity of less than 0.05% in power mode and the 0.03% angular responsivity deviation from the cosine function in a 5° angular range in irradiance mode. These small uncertainty components are the results of a tilted input aperture (relative to the sphere axis) and four symmetrically positioned InGaAs detectors around the incident beam spot in the sphere. With the new radiometer standard, it is expected that a thermodynamic temperature uncertainty of 10 mK (k = 2) can be achieved at 157 °C, the freeze temperature of the In fixed-point blackbody.

Low-Temperature Blackbodies for IR Calibrations in a Medium-Background Environment

Utilization of Earth remote-sensing data to solve scientific and engineering problems within such fields as meteorology and climatology requires precise radiometric calibration of space-borne instruments. High-accuracy calibration equipment in the thermal-IR wavelength range ought to be combined during calibration procedures with the simulation of environmental conditions for space orbit (high vacuum, medium background). For more than 35 years, VNIIOFI has developed and manufactured standard radiation sources in the form of precision blackbodies (BB) functioning within wide ranges of wavelengths and working temperatures. These BBs are the spectral radiance and irradiance calibration devices in the world’s leading space research institutions, such as SDL (USA), DLR (Germany), Keldysh Space Center (Russia), RNIIKP/RISDE (Russia), NEC Toshiba Space Systems (Japan), etc. The paper contains a detailed description of low-temperature precision BBs developed at VNIIOFI. The characteristics of variable-temperature (100 K to 400 K) research-grade extended-area (up to 350 mm) BB models BB100-V1 and BB-80/350 are described (they are intended for radiometric calibrations by comparison with a primary standard source), as well as those that can be used as sources for high-accuracy IR calibration of space-borne and other systems not requiring a vacuum environment. The temperature nonuniformity and stability of these BBs are (0.05 to 0.1) K (cavity-type BB100-V1), and 0.1 % for the (1.5 to 15) μm wavelength region under cryo-vacuum conditions of a medium-background environment.

Comparison of absolute spectral irradiance responsivity measurement techniques using wavelength-tunable lasers

Independent methods for measuring the absolute spectral irradiance responsivity of detectors have been compared between the calibration facilities at two national metrology institutes, the Helsinki University of Technology (TKK), Finland, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The emphasis is on the comparison of two different techniques for generating a uniform irradiance at a reference plane using wavelength-tunable lasers. At TKK's Laser Scanning Facility (LSF) the irradiance is generated by raster scanning a single collimated laser beam, while at the NIST facility for Spectral Irradiance and Radiance Responsivity Calibrations with Uniform Sources (SIRCUS), lasers are introduced into integrating spheres to generate a uniform irradiance at a reference plane. The laser-based irradiance responsivity results are compared to a traditional lamp-monochromator-based irradiance responsivity calibration obtained at the NIST Spectral Comparator Facility (SCF). A narrowband filter radiometer with a 24 nm bandwidth and an effective band-center wavelength of 801 nm was used as the artifact. The results of the comparison between the different facilities, reported for the first time in the near-infrared wavelength range, demonstrate agreement at the uncertainty level of less than 0.1%. This result has significant implications in radiation thermometry and in photometry as well as in radiometry.