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Biospherical Instruments Inc.



Welcome to Biospherical Instruments Inc

Biospherical Instruments Inc. (BSI) is an industry leader in providing research- grade radiometers for measuring ambient and artificial light in the water and the atmosphere. BSI’s multi-spectral instruments feature a state-of-the-art dynamic range of up to ten orders of magnitude with wide spectral coverage, ranging from the ultraviolet-B to the near infrared of the electromagnetic spectrum. BSI also has extensive experience with hyperspectral measurements and systems.

BSI serves the oceanographic, atmospheric, water quality, and biological sciences communities. Applications include the validation of data from ocean color satellites; measurements of the spectrally-resolved penetration and attenuation of light in natural and artificial waters such as the oceans, lakes, and drinking water reservoirs; the monitoring of UV radiation at the Earth’s surface in support of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer; and the measurement of Photosynthetic Active Radiation, both in the laboratory and in the field through integrations on Argo profiling floats, gliders, and CTD rosettes.

In addition to our extensive catalog of standard radiometers, BSI specializes in the design and manufacture of custom instrumentation for a large number of use cases specified by our customers, and provides NIST-traceable calibrations for radiometers. Our customers include the US government (NASA, NOAA, NSF), domestic and international universities and research organizations, commercial fisheries, and many other private enterprises. BSI’s scientists regularly contribute in a leading role to environmental assessment reports such as NOAA’s annual “State of the Climate” reports and assessments in support the Montreal Protocol.

Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to discuss your application with us.

Last Updated ( Monday, 05 December 2022 12:47 )
 

Measurements during the 2017 total solar eclipse

Total solar eclipse of 21 August 2017 observed with GUVis-3511.Total solar eclipse of 21 August 2017 observed with GUVis-3511.

BSI performed measurements with a GUVis-3511 radiometer in Oregon during The Great American Eclipse of August 21, 2017. An in-depth article about the campaign is here.

Last Updated ( Friday, 06 December 2019 16:02 )
 

The XRR – Adaptable instruments for optically diverse environments


XRL being deployed in Mission Bay, CAXRL being deployed in Mission Bay, CA

Biospherical Instruments Inc (BSI) has released the newest member of the Expandable Technology for Radiometric Applications (XTRA) class of high performance field instruments called the XTRA Reflectance Radiometers (XRR). The XRR is an economically priced multiwavelength radiometer for determining apparent optical properties in aquatic systems. Belonging to the instrument class that also includes the Compact Optical Profiling system (C-OPS), among other microradiometer-based instruments, the XRR is designed to fill the niche that was occupied by the PRR-600 and PRR-2600 as well as the PRR-800; they are very similar in shape to the PRR-600/PRR-2600 instruments, but are smaller in diameter, weigh less, and have greatly improved performance.

XRRs are available in two measurement geometries: XRL and XRE. The XRL, the most common configuration, features 10 optical-filter microradiometer >wavebands (selected from 29 different optical filter wavelengths) of in-water downward  irradiance (Ed) and 10 wavebands of in-water upwelling radiance (Lu). The XRE nominally uses 10 wavebands of downward irradiance (Ed) and 10 wavebands of upward irradiance (Eu). XRRs also take advantage of a new free-fall flotation collar called the “X-SLOWS,” which affords excellent near-surface sampling in an instrument with a traditional "rocket-shaped" design.  XRRs use the same microradiometer detector technology as C-OPS, and thus has the same outstanding radiometric performance specifications as C-OPS. Microradiometers also mean that the XRR can use all of  the same software, surface solar reference, and all of the C-OPS cables and accessories such as the BioSHADE and BioGPS.  

 

Last Updated ( Monday, 05 December 2022 12:01 )
 

BSI introduces the MPE-PAR for high-dynamic range optical measurements on Argo profilers and other autonomous platforms

MPE radiometerMPE radiometer

The MPE-PAR (MICRO Class, Profiling (in-water), E (irradiance) PAR sensor) is a fifth-generation sensor that is sensitive over the Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) spectral range (400-700 nm). The MPE-PAR has been optimized for integration into Argo profiling floats and features low mass and low power consumption. It combines the huge dynamic range and excellent signal-to-noise ratio of Biospherical In-struments’ (BSI) microradiometer technology with the proven performance and ruggedness of BSI’s line of Q-Series PAR sensors. The sensor is also suitable for deriving the CDOM spectral absorption coefficient at 440 nm using a newly developed method.

Download the MPE brochure or click here for more information.

Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for additional information or to request a quote.

 

Last Updated ( Monday, 05 December 2022 12:01 )
 

Biospherical OCULLAR Prototype featured in NASA's Cutting Edge

OCULLAR sensor at sunsetOCULLAR sensor at sunset

Biospherical Instruments has developed a novel instrument that is capable of measuring light over 14 decades of dynamic range. The prototype sensor, known as the Ocean Color Underwater Low Light Advanced Radiometer (OCULLAR), resulted from a collaboration between Biospherical Instruments and NASA/GSFC scientist Dr. Stanford Hooker. The instrument pairs a miniature photomultiplier tube (PMT) with a Biospherical microradiometer coupled to a silicon photodetector. A microprocessor embedded in the microradiometer activates the PMT when low-light conditions are detected, and is powered off under higher light conditions where the silicon detector microradiometers take over. The first field campaign using the prototype successfully collected data under moonlit skies, including using a BioSHADE (shadowband) accessory to measure direct and diffuse components of moonlight. The prototype successfully proved the concept but had only one channel. A commercial product with 7 channels is currently under development. The new system will support ocean color research using both Sun and Moon as light sources.

An article featuring OCULLAR was published by NASA. It can be found is here.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 26 December 2019 11:58 )
 

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