An imaging photometer is an instrument used to measure visible light according to how the human eye perceives it. It is based on photometry, which measures an object's brightness and the human visual response to light. Imaging photometers are frequently used in astronomy and science applications. This blog post will provide an overview of what an imaging photometer is, its applications and the benefits it offers when coupled with a microscope to become a microscope imaging photometer.
What are the Applications of an Imaging Photometer?
Imaging photometers have widespread applicability due to their accuracy, flexibility, and reliability in measuring light characteristics. These instruments are frequently used in geology, materials science, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors applications. Below, we will outline some of the typical applications.
Displays
Imaging photometers are ideal for measuring the color and brightness of various light sources–including displays. A typical display panel incorporates an emissive element such as an LED backlight, or the organic layer in the thin film stack of an OLED. Simple lux spot measurements can be useful in quality control and assurance; measuring the brightness of localized areas on a screen. However, imaging photometers enable illuminance and color measurements of millions of points simultaneously–which is key with high-resolution displays comprising thousands of pixels. This is useful for color mapping, film thickness measurement, and various processes involved in OLED production.
Geology
Another important use of an imaging photometer is to measure vitrinite reflectance and fluorescence in coal samples. By adding a camera to a single-point photometer, samples can be analyzed much faster and more accurately. Aside from coal samples, imaging photometers are used in Geology applications such as kerogen analysis, mineralogy analysis, petroleum source and rock analysis.
Pharmaceuticals
Imaging photometry plays an important role in pharmaceuticals as it can be used to carry out several vital applications. In research laboratories, for example, photometry can be used to identify inorganic and organic compounds in liquids and for applications such as identifying DNA, RNA, and protein crystals..
What are the Benefits of Imaging Photometry?
Imaging photometry is frequently used for analysis and quality control purposes and is a popular method in automotive manufacturing, electronics, and many other industries. Photometry is an ideal solution for identifying the smallest defects in products and is vastly superior to human inspection for several reasons.
Photometers allow scientists to take images of samples that cannot be seen with the human eye. This benefits processes in various applications such as contamination detection, drug discovery, and semiconductor production. Other key benefits of imaging photometry include
- High-resolution images
- Identify and measure organic and inorganic compounds
- Molecular identification
- Nondestructive methods
Photometry with CRAIC Technologies
CRAIC Technologies is dedicated to using the latest technology to manufacture innovative instruments for your applications. We produce a wide range of devices that include microscopes, microspectrometers, imaging photometers and more. We support those working with biology, forensics, semiconductors and a range of other sectors, all through using the most up-to-date science and technology.
Get in touch with us today for more information on imaging photometers and how they can enhance your applications.