Abstract: Apparatus for measuring transmitted light is described. The apparatus comprises a spectrophotometer which includes a light source; first and second diffusion chambers; a cuvette chamber and photodetection means.The apparatus also includes light transmitting channels through which light can pass from said source to the first diffusion chamber, from the first diffusion chamber through the cuvette chamber to the second diffusion chamber, and from the second diffusion chamber to the photodetector means.In the preferred embodiment the first and second diffusion chambers are light diffusing integrating spheres, and a filter is present in the light transmission channel between the light source and first diffusion chamber.

Abstract: An emitting diffuser of electromagnetic radiation constructed as a three-dimensional body containing a reflective optical cavity. The cavity is coated with a highly reflective diffusion material over substantially its entire interior. The remaining interior surface is a transparent or translucent diffusion material forming a radiation exiting window, with the window geometry being selected to give a desired radiation pattern. The diffuser may receive energy from a laser source through an interconnecting light pipe, protecting near observers from the potentially eye damaging source emitted radiation. The light diffuser may be operated as a simulated target for laser-type target identification and tracking systems. A preferred embodiment of this invention is a hollow sphere in which the window is ring-shaped, and located substantially equidistant from the equatorial and upper polar region of the sphere.

Abstract: A system is provided for the collection of electromagnetic radiation and the transmission of that radiation to a point of utilization in the form of light. Basically, the system employs a first solar concentrator for the collection and concentration of solar radiation. Optically coupled to the first solar concentrator is at least one additional solar concentrator for further concentrating the collected solar radiation for efficient coupling with a light pipe. Thus, the light pipe directs the collected and concentrated light to a point of utilization. Preferably, the solar concentrators are planar fluorescent solar concentrators having different fluorescent materials in each concentrator.

Abstract: An integrating sphere type standard light source has a spherical shell the inner surface of which is coated with a white coating having a high reflectivity. The shell has a light source aperture in the top thereof, a viewing aperture in the side thereof and a specimen exposure aperture in the bottom thereof. A light source is mounted in the light source aperture and depends into said shell and includes a source of light and a light shielding plate between the source of light and the remainder of the interior of the shell, the light shielding plate also being coated with a white coating having a high reflectivity. A specimen supporting plate is positioned beneath the specimen exposure aperture and is normally positioned for supporting a specimen at the bottommost point of an imaginary spherical surface which is an extension of the internal surface of the shell into the specimen exposure aperture.

Abstract: The colors or surface conditions of small articles are determined by passing the articles through an integrating sphere and separately illuminating the articles before they enter the sphere, during their passage through the sphere and after they leave the sphere. The light transmitted through or reflected by each article is collected by the sphere and passed to analyzing apparatus. The articles are sorted according to the measurements.

Abstract: In a colorimeter including a light source, a first quantity of light is directed toward a color sample and from the color sample toward a single photoelectric receiving and measuring device which is capable of measuring amounts of primaries or tristimulus values in quantities of light. A first carriage has mounted thereon an X primary filter, a Y primary filter and a Z primary filter, and such first carriage is reciprocable so that a selected primary filter may be positioned in front of the single photoelectric device. Adjacent the light source is mounted a second carriage which supports thereon an X primary filter mirror, a Y primary filter mirror and a Z primary filter mirror. The second carriage is reciprocable to position adjacent the light source a selected primary filter mirror corresponding to that primary filter positioned adjacent the photoelectric device.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring the absolute absorptance of a relatively thin sample displaying both reflecting and transmitting characteristics. An integrating sphere is provided, and monochromatic reference and sample beams are projected into the sphere from a pair of angularly-spaced ports. Detector means are positioned at the sphere to receive illumination from the internal sphere wall, including the illumination arising from the first reflectance from that portion of the sphere directly illuminated by the sample and reference beams. The reference and sample electrical signals proceeding from the detector are equalized over the wavelength range of the instrument to establish a relatively flat baseline with the sample withdrawn from the sample beam. The sample is then repositioned within the sample beam.

Abstract: An electromagnetic energy collection device is provided which does not require a solar tracking capability. It includes an energy receiver positioned between two side walls which reflect substantially all incident energy received over a predetermined included angle directly onto the energy receiver.

Abstract: A device for measuring three stimulus values of the color of a liquid as a way of determining the color of the liquid. The device has an optical part having a source of light, an integrating ball having an inlet for light and three light receiving elements therein, and a light path switching device at the inlet. An immersible detector has a reflected light detector and a transmitted light detector as a part thereof, the reflected light detector having an opening therein and a flat transparent element covering the opening. The transmitted light detector is spaced from and aligned with the opening in the reflected light detector. A reflected light receiver in the reflected light detector is positioned to receive light reflected from the transparent element at an angle of 45.degree. thereto.

Abstract: Solar heating device utilizing a cylindrical reflector with a spirally extending a section and a parabolically extending section for concentrating solar energy on an axially disposed absorber carrying a fluid to be heated. Substantially all of the energy impinging upon the reflector is reflected inwardly and ultimately strikes the absorber. The curvature of the reflector is such that the device can be mounted in a fixed position and deliver a large amount of concentrated solar energy to the absorber throughout the year. In some embodiments the reflector has an additional spirally extending section adjacent to the first spiral section, and embodiments having a plurality of reflectors and absorbers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A flux averaging sphere having an improved efficiency and a high averaging nd diffusing effectiveness over the visible and ultraviolet ranges. The interior surface of the sphere is coated with a white diffusing material which has a higher reflectance for visible radiation than for ultraviolet radiation. A radiation converting means is disposed inside the sphere for converting incoming ultraviolet radiation to visible radiation before reflections from the sphere wall occur. The radiation converting means is transparent to incoming visible radiation which therefore remains unaffected. The efficiency of the device is further improved by eliminating the small gap between the output area of the sphere and the face of the photomultiplier tube. The sphere is formed with a tapered tubular extension at the output area and the face of the photomultiplier tube is abutted against the end of the extension thereby forming a substantially light tight seal.

Abstract: A reflecting surface is formed on an inner base plate of an integrating sphere. A fabric is bonded to an under coat layer of said base plate and furthermore a reflecting layer is formed on said fabric. As the fabric, cheese cloth is used and said reflecting layer comprises barium sulfate and polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: An optical testing apparatus for use in non-destructive testing of optical omponents to evaluate their operational requirements. The optical component to be tested is mounted on a fixture that allows its accurate alignment and rotation so the entire surface area of the optical component can be scanned in discrete areas. A laser light source is positioned to illuminate the optical component with coherent light beams or rays. An aperture positioned in the light beam permits adjustment of the diameter of the light beam impinging on the optical component to be evaluated. Whenever an imperfection is present in the optical component a portion of the light rays illuminating the imperfection will be disarranged or scattered. Both the non-scattered and scattered light rays are gathered by means of pyroelectric detectors and their outputs are compared for obtaining an electrical signal that is proportional to the intensity of the scattered light caused by the imperfection.