Westar Display Technologies is pleased to be the North American distributor (U.S., Canada, Mexico) for Topcon Technohouse Corporation of Japan.  Topcon’s industry-leading light measurement devices are well known across multiple industries including flat panel displays, medical, industrial, automotive, paint & textiles, and aerospace & defense.

If you need to measure light, Westar can help with a Topcon photometer, colorimeter, spectroradiometer, or color video photometer. 

Need more? 

Westar specializes in light measurement applications which go beyond the instrument.  If you need software support, systems integration assistance, training, or a complete turn-key system, we can help.  Contact our light measurement experts for assistance in selecting the right instrument for the job and to discuss your measurement challenges at a system level.

To order a Topcon optical instrument or discuss your measurement requirements, contact Westar by phone or email: (636) 300-5104 or topcon@qinetiq-na.com.

BM-9 Luminance Meter (Photometer)

This entry level luminance meter includes the essential features for basic luminance measurements of illuminated surfaces, materials, flat panel displays, and area (extended) light sources.  It is a modular design with a separate detector unit (3 options available) and a base unit (computing & display) allowing you to select the optimal detector for the job.  Suitable for laboratory, production line, or outdoor/field measurements (handheld, battery operation), the BM-9 meets a wide range of requirements for the most common light measurement jobs.

The base unit model number is BM-9M and the three available detector units are:

BM-9 Options
See the BM-9 Spec Sheet for available options.  Popular options include the Keyboard Unit (for entering calibration data or reference measurements), RS-232 cable (for connection to a PC), AC adapter/battery charger, and the AL-13 adapter lens (for reducing the measurement spot).

Ordering Advice
The BM-9M base unit requires at least one detector unit to make measurements.  Choose the detector based on your required minimum luminance (sensitivity) and measurement aperture (determines spot size).  Select the BM-920D detector if you must measure luminance levels down to 0.01 cd/m².  Select the BM-902D if you require the smallest measurement spot size and can accept the higher minimum luminance level (1 cd/m²).  Select the BM-910D for a good mid range detector which balances spot size and sensitivity.

Step It Up
If you require lower light measurements (below 0.01 cd/m²), or multiple measurement apertures within a single instrument, or color (chromaticity) measurements, consider the BM-7A or BM-5AS Luminance/Colorimeters.  These Color Filter Photometers measure luminance across a broader range with improved speed and precision.  The BM-5AS uses a Photo Multiplier Tube (PMT) sensor and is therefore more sensitive than the BM-7A which uses Silicon Photo Diode sensors.  Both models make color measurements with dedicated tri-stimulus filters and include four standard measurement apertures: 2° / 1° /  0.2° / 0.1°.
 

BM-7A Luminance Colorimeter (Color Filter Photometer)

The BM-7A luminance colorimeter is the first instrument in Topcon’s line-up of multi-aperture instruments.  It utilizes an industry standard aperture mirror design which allows you to precisely see what’s being measured by each of four selectable apertures.  Its three dedicated silicon photodiode sensors provide direct measurement of the CIE tri-stimulus values (X,Y,Z).  From these, the calibrated Luminance and Chromaticity coordinates (and other derived data) are computed and displayed on the integral LCD.  All measurement data is available through an RS-232C serial interface if remote control is required.

A step up from the BM-9 (luminance only), the BM-7A is faster and can measure both luminance and color with greater precision.  Two macro lens options allow for measurement of very small objects or light sources down to 0.06 mm (60 um).  The cost-effective BM-7A is the instrument of choice for factory production lines requiring multiple instruments but is also at home in the R&D lab or Engineering department as a “workhorse” photometer/colorimeter.

The base unit model number is BM-7A and includes the instrument with standard lens, AC adapter, lens cap, and hard shell carrying case.

The user selectable measurement aperture (knob) allows you to optimize the measurement spot size (also a function of working distance) and the minimum measureable luminance level (larger apertures can measure lower levels).

BM-7A Options
See the BM-7A Spec Sheet for available options.  Popular options include the AL-6 and AL-11 adapter lenses (for reducing the measurement spot), tripod and fine adjustment stand (gimbal), and the CM-700 application software.

Ordering Advice
Order the BM-7A unit for the baseline instrument with lens, carrying case, and power supply.

Step It Up
If you require lower light measurements (below 0.01 cd/m²), consider the BM-5AS PMT-based Color Filter Photometer.  The BM-5AS uses a Photo Multiplier Tube (PMT) sensor and is therefore more sensitive than the BM-7A which uses Silicon Photo Diode sensors.  The BM-5AS uses a tri-stimulus filter wheel and adds a fifth measurement aperture: 3° / 2° / 1° /  0.2° / 0.1°.
 

BM-5AS Luminance Colorimeter (PMT-based Color Filter Photometer)

The BM-5AS luminance colorimeter offers a dramatic improvement in luminance sensitivity  and speed over the BM-7A.  By adding a fifth measurement aperture (3°), larger spot sizes (at a given working distance) can be achieved and luminances down to 0.00005 cd/m² can be measured.  Its Photo Multiplier Tube (PMT) sensor, combined with a precision CIE tri-stimulus filter wheel, provides measurements of the CIE tri-stimulus values (X,Y,Z).  From these, the calibrated Luminance and Chromaticity coordinates (and other derived data) are computed and displayed on the integral LCD.  All measurement data is available through a USB or RS-232C serial interface if remote control is required.

Two macro lens options allow for measurement of very small objects or light sources down to 0.06 mm (60 um).  The engineering / research grade BM-5AS forms the center piece of many low light measurement solutions.

The base unit model number is BM-5AS and includes the instrument with standard lens, AC adapter, lens cap, and hard shell carrying case.

The user selectable measurement aperture (knob) allows you to optimize the measurement spot size (also a function of working distance) and the minimum measureable luminance level (larger apertures can measure lower levels).

BM-5AS Options
See the BM-5AS Spec Sheet for available options.  Popular options include the AL-6 and AL-11 adapter lenses (for reducing the measurement spot), tripod and fine adjustment stand (gimbal), fiber optic probe, and the CM-700 application software.

Ordering Advice
Order the BM-5AS unit for the baseline instrument with lens, carrying case, and power supply. 

Step It Up
For spectral measurements and greater color accuracy, consider the SR-3AR, SR-UL1R and SR-UL2 Spectroradiometers.  This next generation of diffraction grating based instruments provides three levels of sensitivity with minimum measureable luminances (at guaranteed accuracy) of 0.1, 0.001, and 0.0005 cd/m² respectively.  Spectral data is measured in the visible band (380 nm ~ 780 nm) with a 1 nm resolution.  All models include four standard measurement apertures: 2° / 1° /  0.2° / 0.1° and provide remote USB and RS-232 interfaces.
 

SR-3AR Spectroradiometer
The SR-3AR Spectroradiometer is the first instrument in Topcon’s line up of spectroradiometers. Unlike color filter colorimeters which use optical filters to measure the CIE tri-stimulus values (X,Y,Z), spectroradiometers use a diffraction grating, relay optics, and a linear CCD sensor to measure the sampled light dispersed by wavelength. The visible band “rainbow” of light falling on the linear sensor is converted to electrical signals which are captured, corrected, processed, and reported as an array of radiance values and derived colorimetric results. The CIE XYZ values are computed from the full array of spectral data using precision math functions (standard tri-stimulus integrals) prescribed by the CIE.

The SR-3AR provides increased color accuracy (±0.002 xy) and guaranteed accuracy luminance measurements down to 0.1 cd/m2. The four standard apertures (2° / 1° / 0.2° / 0.1°) are automatically selectable by the control panel or through the USB / RS-232 remote interfaces (knob is eliminated) and allow you to optimize the measurement spot size (also a function of working distance) and the minimum measureable luminance level (larger apertures can measure lower levels).
 

All measurement data is available on the integral LCD display or through a USB or RS-232C serial interface if remote control is required.

Two macro lens options allow for measurement of very small objects or light sources down to 0.06 mm (60 um). A fiber optic probe may be attached to provide remote sensing into harsh environments.

The base unit model number is SR-3AR and includes the instrument with standard lens, AC adapter, lens cap, and hard shell carrying case.

SR-3AR Options
See the SR-3AR Spec Sheet for available options. Popular options include the AL-6 and AL-11 adapter lenses (for reducing the measurement spot), tripod and fine adjustment stand (gimbal), fiber optic probe, and the CS-900 application software.

Ordering Advice
Order the SR-3AR unit for the baseline instrument with lens, carrying case, and power supply.

Step It Up
For lower luminance thresholds (greater sensitivity), faster measurements, and equal color accuracy, consider the SR-UL1R and SR-UL2 Spectroradiometers. These ultra-sensitive instruments provide significantly greater sensitivity for measuring very low luminance levels with full spectral analysis. The SR-UL1R and SR-UL2 offer guaranteed luminances levels of 0.001 and 0.0005 cd/m2 respectively. Like the SR-3AR, spectral data is measured in the visible band (380 nm ~ 780 nm) with a 1 nm resolution.



 

SR-UL1R Spectroradiometer
The SR-UL1R Spectroradiometer offers a 100x improvement in low light sensitivity over the entry level SR-3AR. That means this spectroradiometer can compete with many low light photometers while providing the increased color accuracy and full spectral measurements available only in a diffraction grating and linear CCD based system.

With auto-sync measurements (for flickering light sources), programmable integration time, and a normal/fast mode, the SR-UL1R sets a new standard for full-featured, low-light (< 0.1 cd/m2) instruments.

Unlike traditional colorimeters which use optical filters to measure the CIE tri-stimulus values (X,Y,Z), spectroradiometers use a diffraction grating, relay optics, and a linear CCD sensor to measure the sampled light dispersed by wavelength. The visible band “rainbow” of light falling on the linear sensor is converted to an array of electrical signals which are captured, corrected, processed, and reported as a full spectrum of radiance values and derived luminance and colorimetric results. The CIE XYZ, xy, u’v’, and CCT values are computed from the full array of spectral data using precision functions (standard tri-stimulus integrals) prescribed by the CIE.

The SR-UL1R provides increased color accuracy (±0.002 xy) and guaranteed accuracy luminance measurements down to 0.001 cd/m2. The four standard apertures (2° / 1° / 0.2° / 0.1°) are automatically selectable by the control panel or through the USB / RS-232 remote interfaces (knob is eliminated) and allow you to optimize the measurement spot size (also a function of working distance) and the minimum measureable luminance level (larger apertures can measure lower levels).

All measurement data is available on the integral LCD display or through a USB or RS-232C serial interface if remote control is required.
 

Two macro lens options allow for measurement of very small objects or light sources down to 0.06 mm (60 um). A fiber optic probe may be attached to provide remote sensing into harsh environments.

The base unit model number is SR-UL1R and includes the instrument with standard lens, AC adapter, lens cap, and hard shell carrying case.

SR-UL1R Options
See the SR-UL1R Spec Sheet for available options. Popular options include the AL-6 and AL-11 adapter lenses (for reducing the measurement spot), tripod and fine adjustment stand (gimbal), fiber optic probe, and the CS-900 application software.

Ordering Advice
Order the SR-UL1R unit for the baseline instrument with lens, carrying case, and power supply.

Step It Up
For an even lower luminance threshold, faster measurements, and equal color accuracy, consider the new SR-UL2 Spectroradiometer. This ultra-sensitive instrument provides still greater sensitivity for measuring very low luminance levels with full spectral analysis. The SR-UL2 offers guaranteed luminance levels of 0.0005 cd/m2. Like the SR-3AR and SR-UL1R, spectral data is measured in the visible band (380 nm ~ 780 nm) with a 1 nm resolution.



 

SR-UL2 Spectroradiometer
Reaching down to 0.0005 cd/m², the SR-UL2 Spectroradiometer offers a further 2x improvement in low light sensitivity over the SR-UL1R.  That means this spectroradiometer competes directly with the leading low light (PMT-based) photometers while providing the increased color accuracy and full spectral measurements available only in a diffraction grating and linear CCD based system.

With auto-sync measurements (for flickering light sources), programmable integration time, and a normal/fast mode, the SR-UL2 sets a new standard for full-featured, low-light (< 0.1 cd/m²) instruments.

Unlike traditional colorimeters which use optical filters to measure the CIE tri-stimulus values (X,Y,Z), spectroradiometers use a diffraction grating, relay optics, and a linear CCD sensor to measure the sampled light dispersed by wavelength.  The visible band “rainbow” of light falling on the linear sensor is converted to an array of electrical signals which are captured, corrected, processed, and reported as a full spectrum of radiance values and derived luminance and colorimetric results.  The CIE XYZ, xy, u’v’, and CCT values are computed from the full array of spectral data using precision functions (standard tri-stimulus integrals) prescribed by the CIE.

The SR-UL2 provides increased color accuracy (±0.002 xy) and guaranteed accuracy luminance measurements down to 0.0005 cd/m².  The four standard apertures (2° / 1° / 0.2° / 0.1°) are automatically selectable by the control panel or through the USB / RS-232 remote interfaces (knob is eliminated) and allow you to optimize the measurement spot size (also a function of working distance) and the minimum measureable luminance level (larger apertures can measure lower levels).

All measurement data is available on the integral LCD display or through a USB or RS-232C serial interface if remote control is required.

Two macro lens options allow for measurement of very small objects or light sources down to 0.06 mm (60 um). A fiber optic probe may be attached to provide remote sensing into harsh environments.

The base unit model number is SR-UL2 and includes the instrument with standard lens, AC adapter, lens cap, and hard shell carrying case.

SR-UL2 Options
See the SR-UL2 Spec Sheet for available options. Popular options include the AL-6 and AL-11 adapter lenses (for reducing the measurement spot), tripod and fine adjustment stand (gimbal), fiber optic probe, and the CS-900 application software.

Ordering Advice
Order the SR-UL2 unit for the baseline instrument with lens, carrying case, and power supply.



 

UA-1000A Uniformity Analyzer (Color Filter Video Photometer)

The UA-1000A Uniformity Analyzer is a 1.4 megapixel cooled CCD camera equipped with CIE tri-stimulus color matching filters and is capable of producing high resolution luminance and CIE chromaticity images. The unique lens design operates in one of three zoom settings: Wide, Normal, and Telescopic to provide three distinct fields of view (FOV) for small and large area targets. Of course, the UA-1000A is focusable at various working distances to further vary the FOV size.

Sensitive over a wide luminance range (0.005 to 100,000 cd/m2), the UA-1000A is suitable for measuring the detail in symbolic / numeric displays such as cell phones, automotive instrument clusters, avionics displays, and industrial control panels. The UA-1000A excels in detailed area measurements where a standard spot instrument is insufficient. In a single snap shot, the entire display area luminance and chromaticity map is captured with precision and detail revealing bright and dark areas, non-uniformities, and detailed artifacts such as Mura and low spatial frequency gradients.
 

"Check back soon for updates and specifications for these Topcon light measurement devices: RD-80S and SR-NIR."