Method and apparatus for artificial weathering

US6626052B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Commerce · US

Inventors

• Jonathan Martin · Virginia Beach, US
• Joannie Chin · Frederick, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 2, 1999
• Grant date: Sep 30, 2003
• Expiry date: Aug 2, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2201/065
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for irradiating a specimen with a beam of radiation are provided. The method comprises the steps of providing an integrating sphere, a radiation source radiatively communicating with the sphere, and a specimen, the integrating sphere radiatively communicating with the specimen through an aperture in the sphere. The apparatus comprises a radiation source, an integrating sphere in radiative communication with the radiation source, and a specimen holder in radiative communication with the integrating sphere. The disclosed apparatus and method allow the irradiance of a beam of radiation impinging on the specimen to be maintained at a uniform level across the width of the beam to allow quantitative specimen evaluation.