Light & Display Measurement | Konica Minolta
CL-500A
The Konica Minolta CL-500A is a portable illuminance spectrophotometer that provides full spectral analysis of light sources across 360–780 nm with 1 nm resolution. Unlike tristimulus colorimeters, the CL-500A illuminance spectrophotometer captures the complete spectral power distribution of any light source, enabling accurate measurement of chromaticity, correlated color temperature (CCT), illuminance (lux), peak wavelength, color rendering index (CRI Ra, R1–R15), and spectral irradiance. The CL-500A's diffraction grating and 256-element photodiode array provide the spectral resolution needed for precise LED characterization, display calibration, and lighting quality assessment. The CL-500A is compatible with CL-S10w software for detailed spectral analysis and reporting.
About the Konica Minolta CL-500A Illuminance Spectrophotometer
The Konica Minolta CL-500A is a portable illuminance spectrophotometer that provides full spectral analysis of light sources across 360–780 nm with 1 nm resolution. Unlike tristimulus colorimeters, the CL-500A illuminance spectrophotometer captures the complete spectral power distribution of any light source, enabling accurate measurement of chromaticity, correlated color temperature (CCT), illuminance (lux), peak wavelength, color rendering index (CRI Ra, R1–R15), and spectral irradiance. The CL-500A's diffraction grating and 256-element photodiode array provide the spectral resolution needed for precise LED characterization, display calibration, and lighting quality assessment. The CL-500A is compatible with CL-S10w software for detailed spectral analysis and reporting.
Features
- Spectral measurement (360-780nm)
- Compact and lightweight
- LED-specific measurement modes
- CRI and color temperature
- USB connectivity
Specifications
| Spectral Range | 360 nm to 780 nm |
|---|---|
| Wavelength Resolution | 1 nm |
| Sensor | 256-element silicon photodiode array + diffraction grating |
| Illuminance Range | 0.1 to 100,000 lx |
| Accuracy (Illuminance) | ±2% (vs. standard illuminant A) |
| Accuracy (Chromaticity) | ±0.0015 (xy, standard illuminant A) |
| Spectral Bandwidth | Approx. 10 nm (FWHM) |
| Measurement Quantities | Illuminance, spectral irradiance, chromaticity (xy, u'v'), CCT, CRI (Ra, R1–R15), peak/dominant wavelength |
| Cosine Correction | f1' ≤ 3% |
| Display | Backlit LCD |
| Interface | USB |
| Power | Rechargeable battery or USB bus power |
| Software | CL-S10w |
| Dimensions | 70 × 165 × 35 mm |
| Weight | Approx. 250 g |
| Standards | JIS C 1609-1 AA, DIN 5032-7 Class B |
Measurement Principle of the CL-500A Illuminance Spectrophotometer
The CL-500A uses a concave blazed diffraction grating to disperse incoming light onto a 256-element silicon photodiode array, capturing the spectral power distribution from 360 to 780 nm with 1 nm resolution. From the measured spectral data, the instrument calculates tristimulus values (XYZ) by numerically integrating the product of the spectral power distribution with the CIE color matching functions. This approach provides inherently more accurate colorimetric measurements than tristimulus-based instruments, especially for narrow-band sources like LEDs.
The diffuser input optics ensures cosine-corrected (f1' ≤ 3%) illuminance measurement per JIS AA and DIN Class B requirements.
Applications of the CL-500A
LED Characterization
Complete spectral analysis of LED products including peak wavelength, dominant wavelength, CCT, CRI (Ra and R1–R15), and spectral irradiance for specification and compliance testing.
Display Calibration
Spectral measurement of display backlighting and emitted light for accurate color calibration.
Photobiological Safety
Spectral irradiance measurement for blue light hazard and photobiological safety assessment.
Research and Development
Lighting R&D labs use the CL-500A for developing and evaluating new light sources and luminaires.
Q: Can the CL-500A measure CRI?
A: Yes, the CL-500A calculates the full CRI including Ra (average) and R1 through R15 individual color rendering indices from the measured spectral data.
Q: What is the spectral resolution?
A: The CL-500A provides 1 nm wavelength resolution across 360–780 nm.
