An Isotropic Light Sensor for Measurements of Visible Actinic Flux in Clouds

A low-cost isotropic light sensor is described consisting of a spherical diffuser connected to a single photodiode by a light conductor. The directional response to light is isotropic to a high degree. The small, lightweight, and rugged construction makes this instrument suitable not only for applic...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hage, J.C.H. van der, Roode, S.R. de
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 1999
Subjects:
Online Access:https://dspace.library.uu.nl/handle/1874/1435
Description
Summary:A low-cost isotropic light sensor is described consisting of a spherical diffuser connected to a single photodiode by a light conductor. The directional response to light is isotropic to a high degree. The small, lightweight, and rugged construction makes this instrument suitable not only for application on aircraft or under balloons but also on the ground in microclimatological studies. A vertical profile of actinic flux in the visible range (400-750 nm) in Arctic stratus, obtained with this instrument under a tethered balloon during the FIRE experiment in 1998, is presented.