OSpRad: an open-source, low-cost, high-sensitivity spectroradiometer

Abstract

Spectroradiometry is a vital tool in a wide range of biological, physical, astronomical and medical fields, yet its cost and accessibility are frequent barriers to use. Research into the effects of artificial light at night (ALAN) further compounds these difficulties with requirements for sensitivity to extremely low light levels across the ultraviolet to human-visible spectrum. Here, I present an open-source spectroradiometry (OSpRad) system that meets these design challenges. The system utilises an affordable miniature spectrometer chip (Hamamatsu C12880MA), combined with an automated shutter and cosine-corrector, microprocessor controller, and graphical user interface ‘app’ that can be used with smartphones or desktop computers. The system has high ultraviolet sensitivity and can measure spectral radiance at 0.001 cd m−2 and irradiance at 0.005 lx, covering the vast majority of real-world night-time light levels. The OSpRad system’s low cost and high sensitivity make it well suited to a range of spectrometry and ALAN research.