Light Source Spectrum Data

Standard illuminants provide a basis for comparing images or colors recorded under different lighting.

Light source spectrum data.

About light most objects in space give off radiate light. Full spectrum typically refers to the completeness of a light source s spectral energy particularly when compared to natural light sources such as natural daylight. This light is given different names depending on its wavelength and energy radio waves long wavelength low energy microwaves infrared visible light ultraviolet x rays and gamma rays short wavelength high energy. For example the sun and other stars are sources of white light.

A standard illuminant is a theoretical source of visible light with a profile its spectral power distribution which is published. The wavelengths that humans are typically able to visualize lie in a very narrow range between approximately 400 and 700 nanometers. Click once on the name of a spectrum in the data input section to preview the spectrum in the plotting window in light gray. White light can be generated by a variety of sources both in space and by artificial sources on earth.

Relative spectral power distributions spds of cie illuminants a b and c from 380 nm to 780 nm. The sun is the most obvious. Double click the spectrum name or click the arrow to the right of the spectrum name to add the spectrum to the plotting window and the plotting legend. No color is dramatically favored over another although the intensity is highest in the light blue region around 460 nm.

Visible light comprises only a tiny fraction of the entire electromagnetic radiation spectrum yet it contains the only region of frequencies to which the rods and cones of the human eye will respond. It is especially suitable as a light source for spectroscopy microscopy optical scanning and industrial uses as well as for use with sp s popular digikröm monochromators and spectrographs. The emission spectrum of visible light arriving at the earth s surface from the sun.