Integrating spheres measure either the diffuse transmittance or reflectance of a liquid, solid or powder samples. Typically UV-Visible or UV-Visible/NIR spectrophotometers are used to measure the transmittance of a homogeneous, transparent liquid or solid sample. However, when the light is diffusely scattered by samples such as suspended liquid, opaque solid or powders only a small portion of the light reaches the detector. An integrating sphere captures most of the light from the sample offering a more representative measurement of the sample.
All JASCO Integrating spheres include built in detectors for optimal sensitivity – PMT for UV-visible, InGaAs up to 1600nm and PbS up to 2500nm.
60mm UV-Visible/NIR Integrating Spheres
The 60 mm integrating spheres fit directly into the sample compartment. A 60 mm integrating sphere has a smaller surface area, resulting in an increased signal-to-noise ratio for sample measurements at smaller bandwidth settings. All 60 mm integrating spheres include a Spectralon reference tile and a specular reflectance exclusion sample holder. The 60 mm spheres have been designed with several different configurations to provide simple sampling methods for powders, solids and other scattering samples including gem stones.
FCH-002 Fluorescence Cut-Off Filter
A fluorescence cut-off filter provides accurate measurement of transmittance and reflectance of samples that fluoresce (commonly in the range 450 nm to 650 nm with excitation around 300 nm). This optional filter is permanently installed inside the sphere and must be ordered together with the integrating sphere.
PSH-001 Powder Sample Holder
This optional accessory is used to measure the reflectance of a powdered sample.
RLH-603 Reference-Side Rectangular Cell Holder
This optional cell holder is used with a rectangular cell on the reference side of the integrating sphere (as a reference for diffuse transmittance samples).
SSH-506 Solid Sample Holder (specific to 60 mm integrating spheres)
This sample holder is used to measure the transmittance of solid samples.
Sample size:
Minimum 20 mm (H) x 20 mm (W) x 0.5 mm (D)
Maximum 70 (H) x 40 (W) x 35 (D) mm
60 mm Integrating Sphere Specifications
| Wavelength Range | 200 to 870 nm (ISV-922) 200 to 2500 nm (ISN-923) 200 to 1600 nm (ISN-901i) |
| Typical Spectral Bandwidth | UV 5 nm NIR 20 nm |
| Sample Cell (Transmittance Measurement) | Light path length 5, 10, 20, 30, 50 mm rectangular cell (sample side) |
| Sample Size (Reflectance Measurement) | Minimum 20 mm (Height) x 20 mm (Width) x 0.5 mm (Thickness) Maximum 65 mm (Height) x 50 mm (Width) x 25 mm (Thickness) |
| Beam | Approx. 7 mm (Height) x 4 mm (Width) at the position of the transmittance sample (when spectral bandwidth is UV 5 nm and NIR 20 nm) Approx. 8 mm (Height) x 9 mm (Width) at the position of the reflectance sample (when spectral bandwidth is UV 5 nm and NIR 20 nm) |
| Inside Diameter of Integrating Sphere | 60 mm |
| Interior of Integrating Sphere | Coated with barium sulfate |
| Detector | Photomultiplier tube (ISV-922/ISN-923/ISN-901i) PbS Detector (ISN-923) InGaAs Detector (ISN-901i) |
150 mm UV-Visible and UV-Visible/NIR Integrating Spheres
The 150 mm integrating spheres include a larger sampling area with holders for larger samples and a light trap for including or excluding the specular component. Spectralon reference tiles are included. The 150 mm diameter is compliant to many international standards that require a larger surface area. Although the 150 mm sphere may have slightly lower signal-to-noise performance, the ratio of larger area vs. the openings for the incident light and sampling ports provides a greater measurement for reflectance experiments.
150mm Integrating Sphere Specifications
| Wavelength Range | 220 to 870 nm (Model ILV-924) 220 to 2200 nm (Model ILN-925) 220 to 1600 nm (Model ILN-902i) |
| Typical Spectral bandwidth | UV 5 nm NIR 20 nm |
| Sample Cell (Transmittance Measurement) | Light path length 5, 10, 20, 30, 50 mm rectangular cell (sample side) |
| Sample Size (Reflectance Measurement) | Minimum 20 mm (Height) x 20 mm (Width) x 0.5 mm (Thickness) Maximum 100 mm (Height) x 50 mm (Width) x 30 mm (Thickness) |
| Beam | Approx. 9 mm (Height) x 5.5 mm (Width) at the position of the transmittance sample (slitwidth: UV 5 nm and NIR 20 nm) Approx. 13 mm (Height) x 6 mm (Width) at the position of the reflectance sample (slitwidth: UV 5 nm and NIR 20 nm) |
| Inside Diameter of Integrating Sphere | 150 mm |
| Interior of Integrating Sphere | Coated with barium sulfate |
| Detector | Photomultiplier tube (Model ILV-924/ILN-925/ILN-902i) PbS Detector (Model ILN-925) InGaAs Detector (Model ILN-902i) |
SSH-507 Solid Sample Holder (specific to 150 mm integrating spheres)
This sample holder is used to measure the transmittance of a solid sample.
Sample size:
Minimum 20 (H) x 20 (W) x 0.5 (D) mm
Maximum 70 (H) x 40 (W) x 35 (D) mm
Horizontal Integrating Spheres
The PIV and PIN Integrating spheres are used for horizontal sampling and can mount the sample horizontally in a cup below the integrating sphere, ideal for powder samples. This integrating sphere can also be modified for measurement of smaller sample sizes using a lens above the sphere. Diffuse transmittance measurements are made by placing the sample on the upper surface of the integrating sphere.
Dedicated Gem 60mm Integrating Spheres
These integrating spheres are used to measure small samples such as gemstones. The accessory is based on the standard 60mm integrating sphere with a ‘mask’ to provide a smaller illuminated area for reflectance samples. Special small sample holders are provided for mounting gemstones, pearls and other gems in rings and other jewelry.
Portable Integrating Spheres
This integrating sphere uses an optical fiber for the remote measurement of reflection of a variety of solid samples, such as pastes, cloths and food products.
Portable Integrating Sphere Specifications
| Wavelength Range | 250 to 800 nm (HISV-728) 200 to 2500 nm (HISN-729) |
| Typical Spectral bandwidth | UV 10 nm NIR 20 nm |
| Sample Size | Minimum 30 mm (Height) x 30 mm (Width) |
| Inside Diameter of Integrating Sphere | 60 mm |
| Interior of Integrating Sphere | Coated with barium sulfate |
| Detector | Photomultiplier tube (HISV-728/HISN-729) PbS detectorl (HISN-729) |