Overview

In many applications of optical radiation, the applied radiation shall be quantitatively detected in regards to its effects. Actinic radiometers are appropriate for this, with certain limitations, which allow for a predication after a certain radiation exposure, of a certain photochemical, photophysical, photobiological or photomedicinal effect, most often a threshold reaction. First of all, actinic radiant quantities, such as, for instance, the erythemal effective irradiance or the blue-light hazard radiance, are directly measured by actinic radiometers. The concept of actinic radiant quantities is based on action spectra which describe the dependency of radiation effects on the wave lengths of the radiation. Users of actinic radiometers are medical doctors, biologists, agronomists and process engineers who are interested in controlling the effect of optical radiation (UV, VIS, IR) on people, animals, plants and materials, in order to optimally dose and monitor it. With the use of actinic radiometers, not only a quality control is possible during the radiation treatment, such as, for instance during plant growth or during the UV curing of varnishes, but health protection is also ensured, such as, for instance, the avoidance of UV erythema or Vitamin D synthesis, and also safety during irradiation, such as, for instance, during disinfection of drinking water with UV. DIN 5031-11 defines the characteristics of radiometers as measuring instruments for actinic radiant quantities. It specifies the essential terms and parameters to be used for classifying actinic radiometers. These parameters serve the comparison of actinic radiometers, and the selection of a radiometer for capturing a certain radiation effect. The spectral distributions of types of lamps which are used for actinic radiation are graphically and numerically listed in a normative annex. The users of actinic radiometers mentioned above receive not only tools for the selection and for comparison of actinic radiometers with the standard, but also knowledge about which radiometer characteristics (parameters) they shall particularly observe in order to be able to perform a safe actinic radiation measurement in concrete cases of application. Helpful for assessment of measurement uncertainties, particularly by maladjustment of the actinic radiometer to the radiation effect to be measured, are also the spectra of radiation sources tabulated in the standard how they are usually practically applied for radiation treatment. A safe actinic radiation measurement can significantly limit the costs of radiation treatment in the long run.

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Responsible national committee

NA 058-00-07 AA - Optical radiation