Photometer

Photometer

Description

An instrument used to measure illumination in the ultraviolet, visible, or infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Photometers can be specifically designed to measure illumination properties such as brightness, color, color differences. light intensity, gloss, reflectivity. An ideal photometer for museum use would measure low level illuminance and provide reading in lux or foot-candles as well as chromaticity coordinates (IESNA 1996). Measurement of the ultraviolet content is also important.

Synonyms and Related Terms

light meter; Photometer (Deut.); Lichtmesser (Deut.) fotómetro (Esp.); photomètre (Fr.); lichtmeter (Ned.); fotometer (Ned.); luxmeter (Ned.); fotômetro (Port.);

Resources and Citations

• IESNA, Museum and Art Gallery Lighting: A Recommended Practice, Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, New York, RP-30-96.

• Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photometer (Accessed Feb. 2, 2006)