HunterLab CQXE Integrating Sphere Spectrophotometer

Overview

The HunterLab CQXE is a high-precision benchtop integrating sphere spectrophotometer engineered for rigorous color measurement across diverse industrial and laboratory environments. It operates on the d/8° (diffuse/8°) optical geometry—compliant with ASTM E308, ISO 7724-1, CIE Publication No. 15, and JIS Z 8722—ensuring traceable, inter-laboratory comparable results for reflectance and transmittance measurements. Unlike simplified colorimeters, the CQXE employs a dual-beam pulsed xenon flash lamp calibrated to CIE Standard Illuminant D65, delivering stable spectral output without thermal drift or lamp aging artifacts. Its 6-inch integrating sphere is internally coated with Spectraflect®, a proprietary barium sulfate–free diffuse reflectance material certified for long-term photostability: it resists yellowing, chalking, and mechanical delamination under repeated UV exposure and cleaning cycles—outperforming traditional BaSO₄ coatings in both spectral uniformity (>98% Lambertian response) and service life (>10 years under routine use). The instrument measures absolute reflectance (0–200%), transmittance, haze (ASTM D1003), APHA/Pt-Co (ASTM D1209), Gardner (ASTM D1544), and Yellowness Index (ASTM E313), supporting full CIE L*a*b*, L*C*h, XYZ, and spectral data export.

Key Features

• 6-inch integrating sphere with Spectraflect® coating—NIST-traceable, non-hygroscopic, and chemically inert for consistent BRDF stability
• Dual-beam pulsed xenon illumination system providing CIE D65 spectral power distribution with <±0.5% irradiance stability over 10⁶ flashes
• 256-element silicon photodiode array with holographic concave grating optics—spectral sampling interval <1 nm, FWHM ≤10 nm at 500 nm
• Large sample compartment (35.6 × 16.5 × 10.2 cm) with three-axis sliding door access (left/right/top) accommodating irregular, oversized, or stacked specimens
• Auto-detect aperture system supporting standard 25.4 mm and optional 9.5 mm ports; optional motorized dual-aperture auto-focus lens for simultaneous small/large area measurement
• Specular component included (SCI) or excluded (SCE) via internal baffle—enabling independent assessment of surface texture vs. bulk color contribution
• Fanless, oil-free, solid-state architecture—zero acoustic noise (<25 dB(A)), no moving parts in optical path, maintenance-free operation

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The CQXE accommodates opaque, translucent, transparent, and liquid samples—including powders, granules, films, molded plastics, textiles, paper, coatings, pharmaceutical tablets, and food emulsions. Its large transmission chamber accepts cuvettes up to 50 mm pathlength and enables APHA, Saybolt, and Gardner color scale quantification per ASTM D1209, D156, and D1544. All instruments ship with NIST-traceable calibration tiles (certified by NPL or NIST), and factory calibration reports include uncertainty budgets compliant with ISO/IEC 17025. Measurement protocols align with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when used with validated EasyMatch QC software (audit trail, electronic signatures, role-based access control). The system meets GLP/GMP documentation standards for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food-grade quality control laboratories.

Software & Data Management

HunterLab EasyMatch QC v5.x provides full instrument control, statistical process monitoring (SPC), tolerance mapping (ΔL*, Δa*, Δb*, ΔE*00), and multi-instrument network synchronization. Raw spectral data (31-point or 100-point mode) exports in CSV, XML, or CxF/XRGA formats for integration with LIMS, ERP, or third-party color formulation platforms (e.g., X-Rite Color iMatch, Datacolor Match Textile). Software supports automated pass/fail reporting against user-defined AQL limits, batch trending with Cp/Cpk calculation, and PDF certificate generation with embedded metrological traceability statements. Optional 21 CFR Part 11 compliance package includes electronic signature workflows, immutable audit logs, and secure user authentication.

Applications

The CQXE serves as a reference-grade color measurement platform in R&D labs and production QA/QC settings across regulated and non-regulated sectors: polymer compounding (PP, PET, ABS color consistency), paint & ink formulation (batch-to-batch hue matching), textile dyeing (ISO 105-J03 wash fastness correlation), pharmaceutical tablet coating (USP appearance uniformity), food ingredient grading (sugar browning index, juice clarity), and architectural glass (visible light transmittance + color shift analysis). Its ability to decouple specular and diffuse components makes it indispensable for evaluating metallic flake orientation, pearlescent pigment interference, and anti-reflective coating performance.

FAQ

Is the CQXE suitable for online (in-line) process monitoring?
No—the CQXE is a benchtop laboratory instrument. For true in-line applications, HunterLab offers the UltraScan VIS or MiniScan EZ with fiber-optic probe interfaces.
Does the instrument support measurement of APHA and Hazen color scales?
Yes—calibrated per ASTM D1209 using certified platinum-cobalt standards; includes built-in APHA, Pt-Co, and Gardner scale conversion tables.
How is calibration traceability documented?
Each unit ships with a Certificate of Calibration referencing NIST SRM 2010 (white tile) and SRM 1979 (green tile); uncertainty values conform to GUM (JCGM 100:2008) methodology.
Can the CQXE measure fluorescence?
No—it lacks UV excitation capability; for fluorescent whitening agent (FWA) analysis, consider the HunterLab UltraScan PRO with UV-filtered D65 simulation.
What is the warranty and service coverage?
Standard 2-year parts-and-labor warranty; extended service plans include annual NIST-traceable recalibration and preventive maintenance inspections.