SECTION 5

THE MEASUREMENT OF LIGHT

The fact is well established that progress in a branch of science or en-
gineering is expedited materially by each advance in measuring technique
and by each improvement in measuring apparatus.
The measurement of light is called photometry and devices used for this
purpose are usually called photometers.
For many years photometric measurements dependec. on visual observa-
tions. The characteristics of the human eye vary widely in groups of
observers, and over a period of time even in one observer in an unpredict-
able manner. Because of these variations the accuracy and precision
practically attainable with visual photometers is limited.
Although physical photometers, utilizing photoelectric cells, thermo-
piles, or bolometers, are not subject to the errors introduced by the vari-
able characteristics of the human eye, frequent calibration is necessary if
the maximum practicable accuracy and precision of which they are capable
is desired.
The response characteristics of many photosensitive elements vary be-
tween individual samples of the same type and manufacture, are not con-
stant with time, and, except when compensated (with a special filter, for
example), are not similar in spectral response characteristics to the stand-
ard (I.C.I.) observer. (See Fig. 1-2, page 1-5.) When the spectral
distribution (color) of the light measured is not the same in every case as
the standard used in calibrating the instrument (the colors of natural
daylight, incandescent, fluorescent, mercury and sodium lamps are differ-
ent) this deviation from I.C.I, response characteristics may introduce
very large errors. The most common types of light meters which employ
barrier-laj^er cells are also subject to errors introduced by a variation in
the angle of incidence of the light being measured. Thus it is evident
that the measurement of light is a painstaking task requiring skill, care,
and common sense as well as good equipment.
Measurable Characteristics
. As indicated in Table 5-1, many characteristics of light, light sources,
lighting materials, and lighting installations may be measured. The
measurements of most general interest are:
1. Illumination.
2. Brightness.
3. Intensity in a specific direction, and intensity distribution.
4. Luminous flux.
5. Color temperature.
6. Spectral distribution.
Basic Photometric Principles
Almost every photometric measurement involves a consideration of the
Note: References are listed at the end of each section.
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