Benefits and Features

Full-spectrum quantum sensor with a spectral range of 389 0692 nm (5 nm)

Accurate measurements under all light sources including Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)

Dome-shaped anodized aluminum body designed to be rugged and self-cleaning for a longer life and lower maintenance

IP68 rated connector provides extra assurance in wet and harsh environments

Sensor head detachable from the cable with a marinegrade 316-L stainless-steel connector for fast, easy servicing

Factory calibration data stored in the sensor so no sensorspecific calibration coefficients required for an accurate measurement

Each sensor carefully calibrated in controlled conditions and traceable to NIST reference standards

Four-year manufacturer warranty

Technical Description

Radiation that drives photosynthesis is called photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and is typically defined as total radiation across a range of 400 to 700 nm. PAR is often expressed as photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD): photon flux in units of micromoles per square metre per second (umol m-² 5-¹, equal to microEinsteins per square meter per second) summed from 400 to 700 nm (total number of photons from 400 to 700 nm). While Einsteins and micromoles are equal (one tinstein = one mole of photons), the Einstein is not an SI unit, so expressing PPFD as pmol m s is preferred. Sensors that measure PPFD are often called quantum sensors due to the quantized nature of radiation. A quantum refers to the minimum quantity of radiation (one photon) involved in physical interactions (for example, absorption by photosynthetic pigments). In other words, one photon is a single quantum of radiation.

Typical applications of quantum sensors include incoming PPFD measurement over plant canopies in outdoor environments or in greenhouses and growth chambers, and reflected or under-canopy (transmitted) PPFD measurement in the same environments.

The CS310 quantum sensor consists of a cast acrylic diffuser (filter), photodiode, and signal processing circuitry mounted in an anodized aluminium housing with a cable to connect the sensor to a measurement device. The CS310 quantum sensor is designed for continuous PPFD measurement in indoor or outdoor environments. It outputs an analogue signal that is directly proportional to PPFD. The analogue signal from the sensor is directly proportional to radiation incident on a planar surface (does not have to be horizontal), where the radiation emanates from all angles of a hemisphere.