Surface Optics SOC 410 Solar Reflectometer

Surface Optics SOC 410 Solar Reflectometer Overview

The Surface Optics SOC 410 Solar reflectometer provides for measurements of directional hemispherical reflectance (total hemispheric, diffuse and specular) averaged within 7 wavebands from 330 to 2500nm in accordance with ASTM E903 and C1549, the standard test methods for solar reflectance measurements. In addition, an optional ET-100 sensor head can be attached to the 410-series command module which provides for measurements of reflectance and thermal emissivity in the 1.5-21μm waveband. Combining the results from the 410 Solar and the ET-100 measurement heads provides for measurements of reflectance, solar absorptance and thermal emissivity. From this data set, the solar reflectance index (SRI) is computed in accordance with ASTM E1980 (Standard Practice for Calculating Solar Reflectance Index of Horizontal and Low-Sloped Opaque Surface).

For those applications where you simply wish to know the total reflectance of a sample, the 410 Solar-i reflectometer is available. This version does not report the diffuse-only or specular-only components of reflectance, but does provide for slightly faster measurement times and provides increased accuracy when testing non-uniform or rough materials.

The Surface Optics 410 Family

The 410 Solar forms part of the 410 range of portable reflectometers and emissometers from SOC that are designed for reflectance, solar absorbance and thermal emissivity measurements in the visible to far infrared range. These modular devices feature interchangeable measurement heads and a common command module and generate data of comparable quality to much larger laboratory instruments. Please note that you can order the 410 Solar (or 410 Solar-i) with the additional ET-100 measurement head as a package – this is known as the 410-VIS-IR.

410 Solar Head for Reflectance & Solar Absorptance Measurements

The SOC 410 Solar provides measurements of directional hemispherical reflectance (total hemispheric, diffuse and specular) averaged within 7 wavebands from 330 to 2500nm. The 410-Solar-i model differs only in the ability to measure just the total hemispherical reflectance of a sample (diffuse versus specular reflectance are NOT reported). Measurements are made in the following bands: 335-380nm; 400-540nm; 480-600nm; 590-720nm; 700-1100nm; 1000-1700nm; and 1700-2500nm. The 410 Solar employs a tungsten lamp with integrating sphere for measurements in a 20°/H geometry (directional illumination at 20° to surface normal with hemispheric collection). Solar absorptance is calculated for a number of solar irradiance (air mass) functions, including AM 0 (extra-terrestrial) and AM 1.5 (terrestrial).

The 410 Solar is compliant with ASTM E903 (Solar Absorptance, Reflectance, and Transmittance of Materials Using Integrating Spheres) and C1549 (Determination of Solar Reflectance Near Ambient Temperature Using a Portable Solar Reflectometer).  

ET-100 Head for Reflectance & Thermal Emissivity Measurements

By adding the optional ET-100 head, your 410 Solar can be upgraded to provide for measurements of reflectance and thermal emissivity in the 1.5-21μm waveband. Measurements of total hemispheric reflectance are made with the ET-100 head at 20° and 60° incidence and averaged within 6 wavebands between 1.5 to 21μm. Measurements are made in the following bands: 1.5-2μm; 2-3μm; 3-4μm; 4-5μm; 5-10μm; and 10-21μm. The ET-100 employs a thermal filament source maintained at 1000°C within an integrating sphere. The integration of these values with the Planck function gives the directional thermal emissivity, from which the hemispheric thermal emissivity is computed. The ET-100 is compliant with ASTM E408 (Total Normal Emittance of Surfaces Using Inspection-Meter Techniques).

Emissivity is that property of a material that determines its effectiveness at emitting thermal radiation, defined as the ratio of the quantity of thermal radiation emitted from a surface compared to the perfect black body radiator maintained at the same temperature, given by the Stefan-Boltzmann law. The measurement of emissivity is important for the calibration of pyranometers and thermal cameras which make non-contact temperature measurements.

Combined 410 Solar & ET-100 Measurement Capabilities

Combining the results from the 410 Solar and the ET-100 measurement heads provides for measurements of reflectance, solar absorptance and thermal emissivity. From this data set, the solar reflectance index (SRI) is computed in accordance with ASTM E1980 (Standard Practice for Calculating Solar Reflectance Index of Horizontal and Low-Sloped Opaque Surface).

Ergonomic Design

The lightweight pistol-grip design of the SOC 410 is modelled on a battery operated power tool. It is highly portable and allows single-handed use. Simply hold the sample port against the surface to be tested and press the trigger to take the measurement. View results immediately on the touch-screen display. Measurements can be taken on curved surfaces without special jigs or fixtures. The 410 Series measures the reflectance of flat, convex and concave surfaces (max. 150mm & 300mm radius, respectively) with a measurement spot of 6.4mm diameter.

An optional bench-top remote control unit (RCU) is available for the 410-series and operates by remote external control from a customer-supplied Windows PC. The bench-top configuration is ideal for routine QC applications and for installations where the 410 measurement head is mounted on a robot arm.