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Optical Radiation Group

Maintains, improves, and disseminates the Nation's photometric scales and radiometric scales from the extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) and visible to the far infrared.

Synchrotron Ultraviolet Radiation Facility SURF III
Synchrotron Ultraviolet Radiation Facility SURF III

The group’s mission is to maintain, improve, and disseminate the Nation's radiometric and photometric scales for the measurement of optical radiation which includes National standards for ultraviolet (UV) and extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) radiometry through the use of the Synchrotron Ultraviolet Radiation Facility - SURF III. The group members participate in national and international standards organizations and intercomparisons to ensure acceptance of U.S. optical radiation standards; conduct research to advance the calibration and validation of optical remote-sensing instruments, the measurement of the photometric performance of the human vision system. Applications include semiconductor manufacturing, remote sensing, solid-state lighting, defense, and homeland security.

CALIBRATION SERVICES AND DOCUMENTARY STANDARDS

  • Documentary Standards
    The group’s staff actively participate in and lead the development of Documentary Standards through various Standards Developing Organizations (SDOs) by providing the necessary expertise, fundamental measurement science and advanced technologies. We engage with the following SDOs: NEMA, ASTM, CIE, IES, ISO, ASHRAE, IEEE-IAS, IEC, & ASABE.

COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES

The Optical Radiation Group welcomes opportunities to collaborate on joint research, technology, and standards development projects to advance the characterization of the photometry and radiometry. The group provides multiple opportunities for students, scientists, industry, academia, and other R&D laboratories to collaborate. Specific opportunities depend on current areas of interest within the Group, but may include undergraduate research fellowship, postdoctoral fellowships, visiting scientist, and guest researchers as well as various cooperative research arrangements ranging from formal agreements, such as CRADA, Consortia, and interagency agreements, to informal collaborations. For more details, see Employment and Internship Opportunities and Collaboration Opportunities.

Projects and Programs

Aperture area measurements

Ongoing
Radiometric and photometric measurements require defining apertures. The accuracy to which these measurements can be accomplished requires minimization of the

Tools and Instruments

News and Updates

Solved: The Mystery of the Cloudy Filters

There’s a mystery happening in some satellites facing the Sun, and scientists from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Laboratory

Seeking COVID’s Kryptonite

To disinfect a surface, you can illuminate it with a blast of ultraviolet (UV) light, which is bluer than the human eye can see. But to specifically inactivate

Publications

Measurements and model of UV-induced oxidation of aluminum

Author(s)
Robert F. Berg, Charles S. Tarrio, Thomas B. Lucatorto
We present measurements and a model of aluminum oxidation induced by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Spots of oxide were grown by focusing synchrotron radiation

The hazard of UV-induced oxidation to solar-viewing spacecraft optics

Author(s)
Charles S. Tarrio, Robert F. Berg, Thomas B. Lucatorto, Dale E. Newbury, Nicholas Ritchie, Andrew Jones, Frank Eparvier
The two most prevalent outgas contaminants on satellites are organic molecules and water vapor. Adsorbed organic molecules can degrade a solar-viewing

Awards

2022 IES Fellow - Cameron Miller

For outstanding leadership and technical contributions to standardization of measurements of light sources and lighting products over two

Press Coverage

Contacts

Group Leader

Office Manager