International Standardization Activities

Summary:

The Sensor Science Division actively participates in international and national standardization activities related to optical radiation quantities and measurement. These activities include participation and leadership roles in committees developing standards and recommendations for the measurement of light and optical radiation, and international intercomparisons of photometric and radiometric units. Recently, the Division is focusing on the development of standards for solid state lighting.

Description:

Recent highlights of standardization activities:

• Standards set for energy-conserving LED lighting

• Bright idea illuminates LED standards
  

International Committee Work

The optical radiation quantities are defined by CIE (International Commission on Illumination). CIE is the recognized standardizing body to produce ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards in the area of light and lighting. CIE publishes numerous standards and recommendations on measurement of light and optical radiation, fundamentals of vision and color, and practices in lighting applications. The SSD takes the leadership in CIE Division 2 (Physical measurement of light and radiation) and also active in Division 1 (Vision and Color). Nationally, ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and IESNA (Illuminating Engineering Society of North America) produce standards on lighting products and measurement, and ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) on measurement of optical properties of materials. Staff members of Lighting and Color Group participate in technical committees of these international and national standardization organizations. For a list of their involvement, please see International Committee Work.

International Intercomparisons

The units for optical radiation quantities are defined and monitored by CIPM (International Committee on Weights and Measures). The CCPR (Consultative Committee of Photometry and Radiometry), under CIPM, is responsible for units of optical radiation. In support of Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) signed in 1999, CCPR conducts a series of international comparisons of fundamental units (called Key Comparisons) for photometric and radiometric quantities, participated by national laboratories of different countries. The SSD takes the leadership in the Working Group of Key Comparison in CCPR. The SSD is also active in the work of CCT (Consultative Committee of Temperature). The Key Comparisons conducted recently by CCPR are listed below.

• CCPR K1.a Spectral irradiance (250 nm to 2500 nm)
• CCPR K1.b Spectral irradiance (200 nm to 350 nm)
• CCPR K2.a Spectral responsivity (900 nm to 1600 nm) - to be published
• CCPR K2.b Spectral responsivity (300 nm to 1000 nm)
• CCPR K2.c Spectral responsivity (200 nm to 400 nm) - in progress
• CCPR K3.a Luminous intensity
• CCPR K3.b Luminous responsivity
• CCPR K4 Luminous flux
• CCPR K5 Spectral diffuse reflectance - to be published
• CCPR K6 Spectral regular transmittance

For a sample of results from the Key Comparisons, see International Intercomparisons. 

The detailed results and reports of these CCPR comparisons are available at the BIPM Key Comparison Data Base.

Also, there are three supplementary comparisons under CCPR on spectral radiance, cryogenic radiometer, and aperture area.

The details of the MRA, Key Comparisons, and CIPM/CCPR activities are available at BIPM (Bureau of International des Poids et Mesures) website.