Partner: Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM)
period: 2012 – 2024
acknowledgements: Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank, 925486

Abstract
Truffles are regarded as delicacies all over the world. However, only few can afford. The price mainly is driven by the laborious harvesting method. Thoroughly trained sniffer dogs relatively ineffectively try to find the truffles in the ground. The present project aims to the development of an innovative electronic truffle detector and tries to offer an affordable and effective instrument for truffle harvesting. The scientific approach is to reliably detect the ultraviolet light emission of the seasoned truffle’s odor signature ((CH3)2S) while exposed to ozone. An inexpensive method of truffle harvesting would allow forest owners a more sustainable forest cultivation. Today the only means of income is the sales of wood. If additionally truffles could be easily harvested and sold, this would allow a more eco friendly cultivation of the threes, not only focussing on fast growing and well selling wood.

Partner: sglux GmbH
Research project within the 20zwanzig initiative « Advanced UV for life »
period: 2016 – 2021
acknowledgements: BMBF 03ZZ0123

Abstract
Within the UV-Aging project experimental setups and scientific method are developed to allow a reliable estimation of the degradation behavior of LED and photodiodes as well as components used in these products (glass, diffusors, reflectors, glues, etc.). In the beginning a UV-Aging chamber will be constructed which allows the control of UV light (UV-A, B & C), temperature (up to 170°C) and humidity (95% r.h.).

Partner: Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt in Braunschweig und Berlin (PTB) und sglux GmbH
period: 2014 – 2019

Abstract
Measurement and calibration facilities and calibration methods for high UV irradiation will be established within this project. These methods will accord to the calibration procedures of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) and will allow sglux to offer novel industry-based calibration services. Hereby the project is focussing on the UV curing industry. Based on results of a corporate BMWi ZIM project, reference radiometers and standard sources with high UV irradiation will be optimized for this application field.

Partner: Leibniz Ferdinand Braun Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik (FBH), Leibniz Institut für Kristallzüchtung (IKZ), sglux GmbH
period: 2016 – 2019
acknowledgements: BMBF 03ZZ0119A

Abstract
This project aims at the development of optics, electronics and software for miniaturized SiC UV spectrometers and camera modules. sglux as the first company worldwide is working on a new product family of Silicon Carbide (SiC) based UV spectrometers (up to 1024 pixel resolution). The advantage of such UV spectrometers results from the extreme radiation hardness and very high visible blindness of SiC compared with Silicon (Si) based UV spectrometers leading to negligible degradation and zero stray light effects caused by visible light. This new spectrometer technology allows precise UV spectrometry also at presence of strong visible light such as UV measurements in the bright sun (e.g. UV Index spectroscopy) or under room light. Another advantage of the SiC UV spectrometer results from the high radiation hardness and low dark current of this material. These features lead to a broader dynamic range of the spectrometer compared with conventional Si based spectrometers. Spectrometers with a 128 pixel resolution are available for evaluation purpose.

Partner: Universiät Freiberg und sglux GmbH
period: 2017 – 2018

Abstract
The UV-Index according to ISO 17166 is a measure of the risk of sunburn (erythema solare) at a given solar irradiance. Governmental meteorological institutes measure the UV-Index with spectroradiometers. Due to high investment and maintenance costs of these spectroradiometers, the use of small, rugged and low maintenance UV-Index-Radiometers should be a matter of evaluation, in particular when meteorological networks are planned to be extended.
To evaluate the performance these UV-Index-Radiometers, basically the measurement uncertainty needs to be investigated and compared with the measurement uncertainty obtained by spectroradiometers. Egli et al.¹ report the typical UV-Index-spectrometer measurement uncertainty with ± 5 %. To investigate the measurement uncertainty of UV- Index-Radiometers, a bundle of 2073 different sun spectra with a range from UVI 0.5 until UVI 13.5 was used. They were traceably obtained at different places at the earth where the solar situation was influenced by latitude, altitude, season and daytime. Using the formula reported by ISO 17166 the UV-Index was calculated for each of the different sun spectra. Subsequently spectral responsivity curve of seven different UV-Index-Radiometers (manufactured by sglux GmbH) was integrated with the 2073 different sun spectra (according to ISO 17166) and in total 14,511 different UV-Indices were calculated. The differences of spectral responsivity of the seven candidates result from inevitable production tolerances of the UV-Index-Radiometers. These 14,511 different UV-Indices obtained by the UV-Index- Radiometer were compared with the related UV-Indices calculated by the formula stated in ISO 17166.
As a result we could demonstrate that the spectral responsivity variance of the seven different UV-Index-Radiometers did not result a measurable influence on the measurement uncertainty. However, we saw an influence caused by the different sun spectra. In particular at extremely low UV-Indices of below 0.5 the measurement uncertainty increased. We saw that this measurement uncertainty follows a definable rule which allowed us to develop a gain matrix programmable into the radiometer’s firmware. After applying of this matrix the measurement uncertainty could be reduced down to ± 5 %, also for extremely low UV-Index values.
Accordingly, the study shows that the measurement uncertainty of the sglux UV-Index- radiometers is at the same level as reported from UV-Index-spectroradiometers. This result encourages to expand the investigation into the area of the UV-Index-Radiometers field of view (FOV). The ISO 17166 standard claims a FOV close to the cosine curve. If this FOV investigation would also result good results compared with UV-Index-Spectrometers one may regard the UV-Index-Radiometers as a reliable completion or even substitution of the spectroradiometers. This would create new opportunities to measure the UV-Index in regions where skilled personnel needed to maintain the spectroradiometers is not available.

¹Egli et al. Quality assessment of solar UV irradiance measured with array spectroradiometers, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 9, 1553–1567, 2016

Partner: sglux GmbH
period: 2015
acknowledgements: BMBF 03ZZ0109

Abstract
Before starting this project no laboratory worldwide performed traceable calibration chains for mobile UV reference radiometers. Our work aimed at a scientific evaluation and completion of UV calibration chains realizing a PTB traceability. This goal was reached by systematic evaluation, improvement and completion of an existing measurement method. As a result we now present as the first laboratory worldwide a traceable calibration chain in the ultraviolet region. This new method will be applied by the members of the “advanced UV for life” project where the method serves to determine properties of the new products planned (mainly UV LED) by means of a traceable measurement. Furthermore, this new method will by applied by sglux to determine the properties of own products and products of third parties by means of calibration service.

Partner: sglux GmbH
period: 2011-2013
acknowledgements: BMWi ZIM EP 102409

Abstract
A 128 pixel SiC UV spectrometer with a wavelength resolution of 2.3nm/pixel was development. The advantage of such kind of UV spectrometers result from the extreme radiation hardness and very high visible blindness of SiC compared with Si based UV spectrometers leading to zero stray light effects caused by visible light. This new spectrometer technology allows precise UV spectrometry in the presence of strong visible light such as UV measurements in the bright sun or under room light. Another advantage of the SiC based UV spectrometer results from the high radiation hardness and low dark current of this material. This features lead to a broader dynamic range of the spectrometer compared with conventional Si based spectrometers.

Partner: Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt in Braunschweig und Berlin (PTB) und sglux GmbH
period: 2010 – 2012
acknowledgements: BMWi ZIM 2194602RR9

Abstract
Processes like UV water purification or UV hardening require high intensity UV radiation where a traceable calibration did not exist. German sglux GmbH together with PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, German national metrology institute) developed the world’s first traceable calibration standard for high irradiation level, in particular for UV water purification sensor calibration

Veröffentlichungen
B. Barton¹, P. Sperfeld¹, A. Towara¹, G. Hopfenmueller²,
¹Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt Braunschweig und Berlin (PTB), 4.1 Photometry and Applied Radiometry, Braunschweig, Germany, ²sglux GmbH, Berlin, Germany
« Developing and setting up a calibration facility for UV sensors at high irradiance rates »
EMEA Regional Conference, Karlsruhe, Germany (2013)

P. Sperfeld¹, B. Barton¹, S. Pape¹, G. Hopfenmueller²,
¹Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt Braunschweig und Berlin (PTB), 4.1 Photometry and Applied Radiometry, Braunschweig, Germany, ²sglux GmbH, Berlin, Germany
« Traceable spectral irradiance measurements at UV water disinfection facilities »
EMEA Regional Conference, Karlsruhe, Germany (2013)

G. Hopfenmueller¹, T. Weiss¹, B. Barton², P. Sperfeld², S. Nowy², S. Pape², D. Friedrich², S. Winter², A. Towara², A. Hoepe², S. Teichert²,
¹sglux GmbH, Berlin, Germany, ²Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt Braunschweig und Berlin (PTB), 4.1 Photometry and Applied Radiometry, Braunschweig, Germany
« PTB traceable calibrated reference UV radiometer for measurements at high irradiance medium pressure mercury discharge lamps »
EMEA Regional Conference, Karlsruhe, Germany (2013)

P. Sperfeld¹, B. Barton¹, S. Pape¹, A. Towara¹, J. Eggers², G. Hopfenmueller³,
¹Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt Braunschweig und Berlin (PTB), Germany, ²DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser, Karlsruhe, Germany, ³sglux GmbH, Berlin, Germany
« Spectral irradiance measurement and actinic radiometer calibration for UV water disinfection »
Metrologia, issue 51 (2014), S. 282-288.

P. Sperfeld¹, B. Barton¹, S. Pape¹, A. Towara¹, J. Eggers², G. Hopfenmueller³,
¹Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt Braunschweig und Berlin (PTB), Germany, ²DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser, Karlsruhe, Germany, ³sglux GmbH, Berlin, Germany
« Spectral Irradiance Measurement and Actinic Radiometer Calibration for UV Water Disinfection »
Proceedings of NEWRAD 2014, edited by S. Park, P. Kaerhae and E. Ikonen. (Aalto University, Espoo, Finland 2014) p. 128.

Partner: Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt in Braunschweig und Berlin (PTB) und sglux GmbH
period: 2011
acknowledgements: BMWi ZIM 2194602RR9

Abstract
A detailed study of different properties of UV diffusers was performed. Diffusers are essential components of UV radiometers used as transfer standards. They improve the insensitivity to differing radiation situations.

Publications
Barton¹, B., Sperfeld¹, P., Nowy¹, S., Towara¹, A., Hoepe¹, A., Teichert¹, S., Hopfenmueller², G., Baer³, M. and Kreuzberger³, T.
¹Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt Braunschweig und Berlin (PTB), 4.1 Photometry and Applied Radiometry, Braunschweig, Germany, ²sglux GmbH, Berlin, Germany, ³SGIL Silicaglas GmbH, Langewiesen, Germany

« Characterisation of new optical diffusers used in high irradiance UV radiometers »
Proceedings of NEWRAD2011, edited by S. Park and E. Ikonen. (Aalto University, Espoo, Finland, 2011) p. 278.

Partner: Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt in Braunschweig und Berlin (PTB) und sglux GmbH
period: 2011
acknowledgements: BMWi ZIM 2194602RR9

Abstract
For monitoring high UV irradiance, silicon carbide (SiC) based photodiodes are used. This project characterized novel SiC UV photodiodes in terms of their spectral and integral responsivity. Special attention was paid to the aging behavior of the photodiodes due to high UV irradiance. Artificial aging of the samples were performed by illumination with a high power medium pressure mercury discharge lamp. After burn in no degradation could be measured.

Publications
S. Nowy¹, B. Barton¹, S. Pape¹, P. Sperfeld¹, D. Friedrich¹, S. Winter¹, G. Hopfenmueller², T. Weiss²,
¹Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt Braunschweig und Berlin (PTB), 4.1 Photometry and Applied Radiometry, Braunschweig, Germany, ²sglux GmbH, Berlin, Germany

« Characterisation of SiC photodiodes for high irradiance UV radiometers »
Proceedings of NEWRAD2011, edited by S. Park and E. Ikonen. (Aalto University, Espoo, Finland, 2011) p. 203.