Optical Component
Hollow chambers with highly reflective internal coatings are used to produce uniform, diffuse light for spectral measurement. An integrating sphere collects all reflected light from a textile sample and distributes it evenly to the instrument sensors. The design ensures that the measurement is not influenced by the direction of the yarn or the texture of the weave.
Coating Material
Inner surfaces are typically covered with barium sulfate or specialized fluoropolymers to achieve high reflectance. Over time, an integrating sphere can become contaminated with dust or fiber lint, which reduces its accuracy. Regular cleaning and inspection are required to maintain the spectral integrity of the system.
Light Path
Light enters the chamber and bounces multiple times until the entire interior is at a constant brightness. When a sample is placed at the port, the integrating sphere allows the sensor to see the true color without the interference of direct gloss. This creates a more stable reading for materials with complex surfaces like corduroy or velvet.
The geometry of the sphere determines how much of the light is captured and how much is excluded through the specular port.
Application Range
Manufacturers of spectrophotometers rely on this technology for high precision lab equipment. It provides the most versatile platform for measuring both opaque and translucent textile materials.
