Biospherical Instruments offers three lines of single-channel radiometers.

Q- and M-series Sensors

BSI's family of Q-Series Single-Channel Radiometers.Q- and M-series sensors were designed for use in the laboratory; deployment with profilers, CTDs, gliders, floats, and meteorological stations; use in aquaculture and biofuel plants; and for many other marine or terrestrial applications. The instruments are available in a large number of configurations with respect to spectral response, directional response, depth rating, signal output, packaging, cabling, and accessories.

• Q-series instruments measure Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR).
• M-series instruments measure monochromatic radiation in a narrow wavelength band.

AMOUR Radiometer

AMOUR Laboratory Radiometer.The Advanced Multi-purpOse Usb Radiometer (AMOUR) is a new class of single-channel sensors for laboratory applications. In contrast to Q- and M-Series sensors, the AMOUR sensor is based on microradiometer technology, and features a dynamic range of more than 10 orders of magnitude and a high-speed USB interface. The instrument is very versatile as the user can select different front-optics (e.g., scalar irradiance, cosine irradiance, radiance, and SMA fiber interface).

MPE-PAR Sensors

MPE-PAR RadiometerThe 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 of about 10 orders of magnitude (Figure below) and excellent signal-to-noise ratio of Biospherical Instruments’ microradiometer technology with the proven performance and ruggedness of BSI’s line of Q-Series PAR sensors. 

Download the brochure discussing key features and complete specifications here.

Time series measurements of moonlight and sunlight for illustrating the detection limit and dynamic range of an MPE sensor.

Measurements shown in the figure above were performed in San Diego between 27 and 28 October 2020 with the MPE sensor mounted vertically and facing the zenith. The sky was clear and the waxing gibbous Moon had 90% of the lunar disk illuminated. At the start of the measurement (at 19:42) the sensor was covered. The lowest detection limit (defined as the standard deviation of calibrated measurements with the sensor covered) was 1.8x10^-10µE cm^-2 s^-1. When the Moon was at its highest point in the sky (51° above the horizon at 22:22), PAR was 1.7x10^-7µE cm^-2 s^-1, which is approximately 3 orders of magnitude above the detection limit. Skylight (with direct moonlight blocked) was well above the detection limit. The maximum PAR measurement at local solar noon (with the Sun 44° above the horizon)was 0.15 µE cm^-2 sec^-1, which is almost 9 orders of magnitude above the detection limit and well below the saturation limit of 4 µE cm^-2 sec^-1.