Avantes AvaSun Fiber Optic Spectroradiometer

Overview

The Avantes AvaSun Fiber Optic Spectroradiometer is a high-precision, traceable spectroradiometric measurement system engineered for absolute spectral irradiance characterization of continuous and pulsed light sources—particularly xenon arc lamps used in weathering and colorfastness testing equipment. Operating across a broad spectral range from 200 to 1100 nm, the AvaSun integrates a back-illuminated 2048-pixel CCD detector with optimized quantum efficiency in both the deep UV (200–350 nm) and NIR (800–1100 nm) regions. Its optical architecture employs Avantes’ proprietary non-linear calibration methodology, ensuring consistent responsivity across the full wavelength axis and minimizing pixel-to-pixel variation. All AvaSun units are factory-calibrated against primary standard sources traceable to the National Institute of Metrology (NIM), China, with an expanded uncertainty of U = 8.0% (k = 2) over 250–1100 nm; optional NIST-traceable calibration reports (200–1100 nm) are available upon request. Designed explicitly for radiometric compliance in textile, polymer, and coating durability testing, the AvaSun delivers metrologically sound data required for ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories.

Key Features

• Traceable absolute spectral irradiance calibration certified by NIM (China) or NIST (USA), supporting audit-ready documentation for GLP/GMP environments
• High UV-NIR quantum efficiency enables accurate E_300–400, E_300–800, and single-wavelength irradiance measurements (e.g., E₃₆₅, E₄₂₀) critical for ISO 105-B02, AATCC TM16, and GB/T 8427–2008 conformance
• Configurable spectral resolution (0.09–20 nm) and sampling interval (0.6 nm) allow optimization for either high-resolution lamp spectral profiling or broadband irradiance integration
• Real-time evaluation of xenon lamp aging via the E₃₆₅/E₄₂₀ degradation index—quantifying filter transmission loss and electrode erosion effects
• Wireless communication interface (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth) eliminates cable constraints during in-situ irradiance mapping inside weathering chambers
• Integrated cosine-corrected radiance collector (CC-VIS/NIR) ensures Lambertian response compliant with CIE S 023/E:2013 and ISO/CIE 13406-2
• Hardware-accelerated spectral averaging (up to 100,000 scans) suppresses temporal noise without compromising measurement throughput

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The AvaSun is validated for use with xenon-arc, metal halide, and LED-based irradiation systems employed in accelerated weathering testers (e.g., Q-SUN, Atlas Ci series, and Suga WX series). It meets the photometric requirements specified in JJF(纺) 051–2012 (Chinese textile metrology), JJG 062–95 (national verification regulation for spectral radiometers), GB/T 16991–2008 (spectral irradiance measurement for solar simulators), and ASTM G177 (standard tables for spectral distribution of terrestrial sunlight). Its calibration protocol aligns with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Clause 6.4 (equipment traceability) and supports 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic records when used with Avantes’ audit-logged software environment. The instrument’s thermal stability (±0.1 nm wavelength repeatability over ±10 °C) ensures reliable operation in climate-controlled test chambers.

Software & Data Management

AvaSun Control Software provides a dual-language (English/Chinese) GUI with role-based access control, automated report generation, and full metadata embedding (timestamp, operator ID, calibration certificate ID, environmental conditions). Measurement data can be exported in TXT, XLSX, DOCX, and PDF formats—each containing embedded calibration traceability statements and uncertainty budgets. The software implements secure audit trails per FDA 21 CFR Part 11, recording all parameter changes, calibration events, and report modifications with user attribution and timestamping. Raw spectral datasets retain full 16-bit dynamic range and support post-acquisition re-binning, smoothing, and irradiance unit conversion (W/m²/nm → W/m², mW/cm², etc.). Batch processing enables comparative analysis across multiple lamp aging cycles or chamber zones.

Applications

• Calibration and periodic verification of spectral irradiance output in xenon-arc weathering testers per ISO 105-B02, AATCC TM16-2021, and GB/T 8427–2008
• Quantification of spectral shift and intensity decay during xenon lamp lifetime studies
• Validation of optical filter performance (e.g., Daylight-Q, Window Glass-Q filters) in accordance with ISO 4892-2
• Development and verification of spectral matching algorithms for solar simulator qualification (IEC 60904-9, ASTM E927)
• In-field irradiance mapping of large-area exposure racks using wireless synchronization and geotagged spectral logging
• Research-grade spectral characterization of UV-LED arrays for photocatalytic or disinfection applications

FAQ

Is the AvaSun calibrated for absolute irradiance or relative spectral response?
The AvaSun is factory-calibrated for absolute spectral irradiance (W/m²/nm) traceable to NIM or NIST primary standards. Calibration includes full uncertainty budgeting per ISO/IEC Guide 98-3.
Can the AvaSun measure pulsed xenon sources?
Yes—using the optional optical trigger probe, the AvaSun synchronizes acquisition to pulse onset with sub-microsecond jitter, enabling accurate integration of flash spectra without temporal smearing.
What spectral irradiance units does the software support?
W/m²/nm, W/m², mW/cm², µW/cm²/nm, and photon flux (mol/m²/s/nm); all units are convertible in real time with automatic scaling of uncertainty propagation.
Does the system comply with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 for regulated industries?
When operated with Avantes’ validated software configuration—including electronic signatures, audit trail logging, and secure user authentication—the AvaSun meets Part 11 requirements for electronic records and signatures.
How often should recalibration be performed?
Annual recalibration is recommended under routine use; however, ISO/IEC 17025-accredited labs may define intervals based on risk assessment, usage frequency, and stability monitoring per ILAC-G8:2022.