Laser and Optical Product Testing

Photobiological Safety Measurement Capability


The measurement and assessment of photobiological safety requires that certain characteristics of the source be accurately determined. Our lab is equipped with state-of-the-art measurement instruments and calibration sources enabling us to undertake assessments and report results traceable to national standards institutes such as PTB, NIST, and NPL. We are able to assess light and optical radiation across the ultraviolet (UV), visible, and infrared (IR) parts of the spectrum, reporting the spectral irradiance and radiance values as required by the product safety standards.


Spectral Characteristics
Monochromator

At the heart of our lab is a computer controlled double monochromator which acts as a selectable filter so that individual parts of the spectrum can be precisely analysed without interference from surrounding bands. This device is equipped with several different detectors so that the spectral characteristics from 200nm – 1700nm can be determined. The IEC 62471:2006 Photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems standard states that a double monochromator is the only instrument that can provide the required selectivity for this task.


Radiance and Irradiance

Different hazards exist across the spectrum, requiring the determination of radiometric quantities known as radiance and irradiance, which are then used to describe the product classification and exposure limits. We are equipped with imaging optics, telescopes and cosine corrected inputs to accurately determine these quantities.



Source Size and Location

Assessment of retinal hazards requires that the size of the source and its location is accurately determined. For sources that incorporate lenses, such as LEDs, torches and other projection lamps, the apparent source size and location must be determined with the lens in situ. Our lab uses profiling instruments to determine these characteristics.


Calibration Sources

Undertaking measurements with highly configurable instrumentation requires the performance of the system with its changes is always known, so that when we capture data, the measurements are accurate, and traceable to international standards. LVR Optical have a range of traceable calibration sources covering different parts of the spectrum and instrumentation characteristics.


Field Assessment

There are many occasions when it’s necessary to undertake measurements onsite at client premises and work places, to determine occupational exposure for employees. For these situations, LVR Optical have a range of portable instrumentation that can be used to capture exposure and spectral characteristics across the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared bands as necessary.




LVR is a leading test house for testing to BS EN 60825-1:2014, BS EN 62471:2008 and IEC/TR 62471-2:2009 standards