SI Traceable Solar Spectral Irradiance Measurement Based on a Quantum Benchmark: A Prototype Design

We propose a space benchmark sensor with onboard SI (Système International) traceability by means of quantum optical radiometry. Correlated photon pairs generated by spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) in nonlinear crystals are used to calibrate the absolute responsivity of a solar observi...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xiaobing Zheng, Maopeng Xia, Wenchao Zhai, Youbo Hu, Jianjun Li, Yinlin Yuan, Weiwei Pang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-05-01
Series:Remote Sensing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/12/9/1454
Description
Summary:We propose a space benchmark sensor with onboard SI (Système International) traceability by means of quantum optical radiometry. Correlated photon pairs generated by spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) in nonlinear crystals are used to calibrate the absolute responsivity of a solar observing radiometer. The calibration is systematic, insensitive to degradation and independent of external radiometric standards. Solar spectral irradiance at 380–2500 nm is traceable to the photon rate and Planck’s constant with an expected uncertainty of about 0.35%. The principle of SPDC calibration and a prototype design of the solar radiometer are introduced. The uncertainty budget is analyzed in consideration of errors arising from calibration and observation modes.
ISSN:2072-4292