We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
WiseGeek

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Technology

What is a Spectroradiometer?

By Jessica Reed
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGeek is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGeek, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

A spectroradiometer is a device designed to measure the wavelengths of individual colors of light. The visible light spectrum is made up of six colors, each formed by a different wavelength which determines its color. The spectroradiometer measures spectral power distributions given off by a light source. This simply means it separates each wavelength, or color of light, it detects and then takes an individual reading for each color. The results tell how strong each color of light is and how strong the light source is as a whole.

The term spectroradiometer is closely related to radiometry. Radiometry is the study of electromagnetic radiation. Light is one form of electromagnetic radiation and thus included in the scientific field of radiometry. Both radiometry and spectroradiometry are used by astronomers to study objects in space. Spectroradiometry can help scientists measure visible light waves which, in turn, help determine factors such as temperature based on the color of the light.

Aside from its use in astronomy, the spectroradiometer is also useful for measuring the quality of light from common, household light bulbs. A manufacturer needs to test the light bulbs and label them according to how much power they produce, and what types of light they give off. Different bulbs cover different ranges of the color spectrum and can give off light that appears warm or cool in color. What the device is measuring when it tests the light bulbs is how much power it detects on each color, or wavelength, coming from the light. We see all the colors mixed together, but the spectroradiometer can break them into individual bands of color for a more accurate reading.

Light bulbs aren't the only items the spectroradiometer works on. It also helps when calibrating computer monitors or television screens. Specific types of displays, such as a CRT display or an LCD display, often require calibration to find the right color balance and settings. To ensure that the monitors give off the proper amount of color either individually or in relation to each other, spectroradiometers take a reading of what is referred to as CIE color.

CIE color readings are then compared to the ideal reading of the TV. Once this comparison is made, it is simple to determine what color adjustments to make. After adjusting, another reading may be taken to ensure that the color is balanced and at the desired setting. If not, the new reading can point out what adjustments are still required.

WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
See our Editorial Process Share Feedback

Discussion Comments

By bythewell — On Oct 16, 2011

@Iluviaporos - The color of light you want to use in a reef aquarium really depends on what you want to grow and the shape of the tank.

If you've got a really shallow tank, you can get away with not so much blue light, but if you have a deep one, you'll need a high percentage of blue lights.

That's because blue/white light will penetrate much deeper into the water than yellow light.

If you are planning on having a deep reef tank though, you should really research a lot about the different kinds of light and how to measure them, before you set it up. They can be very expensive, and of course, the fish and corals are dependent on you getting it all right.

By lluviaporos — On Oct 15, 2011

@pastanaga - It makes sense that a mixture of yellow and blue lights is closer to a natural spectrum, as that is the combination usually recommended for reef aquariums.

Although, in that case, they often say you should use small spectrophotometers to check how well your bulbs are doing, and whether you have the light at a good point. Even if your lights come set up already, it's a good idea to have one, I think because they usually don't just burn out, they get gradually darker as the time goes by, and might change color.

Since light is so essential to a reef, it pays to keep an eye on what kind of light your reef is receiving.

By pastanaga — On Oct 14, 2011

It doesn't seem like it's all that important what color light is produced by a light bulb, but it can make a huge difference to the look of a room. Yellow light is much warmer and to a certain extent, easier on the eyes than blue light. Blue or white light, on the other hand, is "colder" and can be harsher, but is brighter and puts things into better contrast.

When you are selecting the lights you want to put in an area, it's best to mix them up, in my opinion, so you have a wider spectrum of light, which is closer to what natural light is anyway.

That will also bring out the natural colors in your decor as well.

You probably won't need spectrometers for this though, as they generally label bulbs with their color now.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.