RAD-900 radiometer offers precise measurement

The RAD-900 infrared radiometer, manufactured by Optikos of the US and distributed by Armstrong Optical, is designed to allow users to precisely measure radiometric temperature and spectral radiance.

The system operates in both the MWIR and LWIR bands and may be used to carry out 1D and 2D source radiance measurements when installed on the ASB-920 angular scan base.

Through its calibration, the RAD-900 provides traceability to national standards and to the International Temperature Scale.

Most thermal target generators are factory calibrated to provide precise physical temperature differences between their foreground and background.

However, the reflective or refractive collimators with which they are typically paired can attenuate the radiation from these target generators, making the thermal contrast of the target appear smaller than the physical difference.

The RAD-900 provides an accurate means of performing a radiometric calibration for a thermal target generation system by accurately measuring the radiometric temperature difference of the target as a function of the physical temperature difference.

With a NIST traceable radiometric calibration, the RAD-900 is claimed to have an absolute accuracy of less than 0.1C and serves as a cavity blackbody transfer standard for calibrating infrared sources.

The minimum resolvable temperature difference (MRTD) of 0.002C and the angular resolution (instantaneous field of view) of 1mRad/0.05C make the RAD-900 applicable to uniformity and temporal stability testing of infrared sources.

It is also suited to the absolute calibration of collimated infrared test targets and of radiometric versus physical temperature differences for collimated thermal targets with first and second order fitting.

The RAD-900 has been designed with input from RAD-600 and RAD-800 users and is said to feature enhancements over the original systems.

It offers tool-free interchangeability of objective optics using proprietary bayonet mount, as well as tool-free interchangeability of detectors (3-5-micron MWIR and 8-12-micron LWIR).

The radiometer also features a position-motorised filter wheel for broad- and narrow-band filters and it automatically compensates for changes in ambient temperature.

It also offers a built-in infrared verification source for checking calibration status and a bore-sighted camera and visible laser to aid in the pointing of the radiometer at the target region.

There is no external electronics control unit.

Power is supplied from a single low-voltage unit and all control is carried out from a laptop or desktop computer via a single USB cable.

Ian Johnstone, sales and marketing director of Armstrong Optical, said: 'The RAD-900 is an invaluable tool for ensuring optimum operation and the achievement of design specifications.

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