LUMINOUS INTENSITY

The luminous intensity for monochromatic light of a particular wavelength is given by

where Iv is the luminous intensity in candelas (cd), Ie is the radiant intensity in watts per steradian (W/sr), is the standard luminosity function. If more than one wavelength is present (as is usually the case), one must sum or integrate over the spectrum of wavelengths present to get the luminous intensity:

SI photometry units

v
t e

Quantity

Symbol[nb
1]

SI unit

Symbol Dimension

Notes

Luminous energy Qv [nb 2]

lumen second

lms

TJ [nb 3]

units are sometimes called talbots

Luminous flux

v [nb 2]

lumen (= cdsr)

lm

also called luminous power

Luminous intensity

Iv

candela (= lm/sr)

cd

an SI base unit, luminous flux per unit solid angle

Luminance

Lv

candela per square metre

cd/m2

L2J

units are sometimes called nits

Illuminance

Ev

lux (= lm/m2)

lx

L2J

used for light incident on a surface

Luminous emittance

Mv

lux (= lm/m2)

lx

L2J

used for light emitted from a surface

Luminous exposure

Hv

lux second

lxs

L2TJ

Luminous energy v density

lumen second per metre3

lmsm3 L3TJ

Luminous efficacy [nb 2]

lumen per watt

lm/W

M1L2T3J

ratio of luminous flux to radiant flux

Luminous efficiency

also called luminous coefficient

DEFINITION

In photometry, luminous intensity is a measure of the wavelengthweighted power emitted by a light source in a particular direction per unit solid angle, based on the luminosity function, a standardized model of the sensitivity of the human eye. The SI unit of luminous intensity is the candela (cd), an SI base unit. Photometry deals with the measurement of visible light as perceived by human eyes. The human eye can only see light in the visible spectrum and has different sensitivities to light of different wavelengths within the spectrum. When adapted for bright conditions (photopic vision), the eye is most sensitive to greenish-yellow light at 555 nm. Light with the same radiant intensity at other wavelengths has a lower luminous intensity. The curve which measures the response of the human eye to light is a defined standard, known as the luminosity function. This curve, denoted V() or , is based on an average of widely differing experimental data from scientists using different measurement techniques. For instance, the measured responses of the eye to violet light varied by a factor of ten. Luminous intensity should not be confused with another photometric unit, luminous flux, which is the total perceived power emitted in all directions. Luminous intensity is the perceived power per unit solid angle. Luminous intensity is also not the same as the radiant intensity, the corresponding objective physical quantity used in the measurement science of radiometry.

RADIANT INTENSITY

In radiometry, radiant intensity is a measure of the intensity of electromagnetic radiation. It is defined as power per unit solid angle. The SIunit of radiant intensity is watts per steradian (Wsr ). Radiant
1

intensity is distinct from irradiance and radiant exitance, which are often called intensity in branches of physics other than radiometry.

SI radiometry units

Quantity Symbol
1] [nb

SI unit

Symbol

Dimension

Notes

Radiant energy

Qe

[nb 2]

joule

ML T

energy

Radiant flux e

[nb 2]

watt

ML T

radiant energy per unit time, also calledradiant power.

Spectral power

e
3]

[nb 2][nb

watt per metre

Wm

MLT

radiant power per wavelength.

Radiant intensity

Ie

watt per steradian Wsr

ML T

power per unit solid angle.

Spectral intensity

Ie

[nb 3]

watt per steradian 1 1 Wsr m per metre

MLT

radiant intensity per wavelength.

Radiance

Le

watt per steradian 1 2 Wsr m persquare metre

power per unit solid angle per unit projected sourcearea. MT

3

confusingly called "intensity" in some other fields of study. Spectral Le

[nb 3]

watt per steradian Wsr m

ML T

commonly measured in

radiance

or [nb 4] Le

permetre or

or or 1 2 1 2 Wsr m Hz MT

Wsr m nm with surface area and either wavelength or frequency.

watt per steradian per square metre per hertz power incident on a surface, also called radiant flux density. Wm
2

Irradiance

Ee

[nb 2]

watt per square metre

MT

sometimes confusingly called "intensity" as well.

Spectral irradiance

Ee or [nb 4] Ee

[nb 3]

watt per metre or watt per square metre per hertz

Wm or 2 1 Wm Hz

ML T or 2 MT

commonly measured in Wm nm 22 2 1 or 10 Wm Hz , known as solar flux [nb 5] unit.

Radiant exitance/ Radiant emittance Spectral radiant exitance / Spectral radiant emittance

Me

[nb 2]

watt per square metre

Wm

MT

power emitted from a surface.

[nb 3] Me

watt per metre or watt per square metre per hertz

or [nb 4] Me

Wm or 2 1 Wm Hz

ML T or 2 MT

power emitted from a surface per wavelength or frequency.

Radiosity

Je orJe
3]

[nb

watt per square metre joule per square metre

Wm

MT

emitted plus reflected power leaving a surface.

Radiant exposure Radiant energy density

He

Jm

MT

joule per metre

Jm

ML T