Annotated links to more information on radiometry and optics

by Dr. James M. Palmer

This page shows some of the interesting web sites I have found so you may delve further into the world of. radiometry and optics.

The Mecca for radiometry in the USA is the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST). The Optical Technology Division (844), part of Physics is where most of the good stuff is. Check out the overview of Optical Technology, the staff (good guys), and the Technical Activities rundown.

NIST also has laboratories located in Boulder, Colorado, where laser power and energy and related technologies and calibrations are housed.

National laboratory activity is certainly not confined to the USA. Lots of good stuff happens in Canada, UK, Europe, Australia & New Zeeland, South Africa, etc. Check out some of these sites.

CSIRO Australia

NPL United Kingdom

NRC Canada

PTB Germany

NIST has some other good links as well.

Here are some other great links for the broad field of optics.

• The oldest society in the USA devoted to optics is the Optical Society of America.   It is an excellent starting point for further WWW exploration in optics.
  
• No less important, but with an engineering emphasis is SPIE- The International Optical Engineering Society. It also has extensive references and can take you far.
  
• The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) is quite active in lasers, opto-electronics and electro-optics. Visit them soon!
  
• The International Commission on Illumination is active in photometric and lighting issues, publishing many documentary standards that are extremely useful.
  
• In the infrared region of the spectrum, the INFRARED INFORMATION ANALYSIS CENTER (IRIA) is a good place to turn for pertinent information.
  
• LEOS is the Laser/Electro-Optical Society affiliated with IEEE.
  
• Optical Illusions are accessible here.
  
• A bunch of optics links are available from our friends in Finland.
  
• Yahoo has a specific category devoted to Science:Engineering:Optical Engineering.
  
• There are several resource pages devoted to color. Try one of these: Colorpro or light-link..
  
• A starting point for the study of human vision is located at NASA/ARC.
  
• For a good time, check into sci.optics, sci.eng.color or sci.eng.lighting and help out a beginner (or be one!)  I try to check in several times a week to help others or run down some tidbit. See you there!

This WWW page was updated 02/06/05 by J. M. Palmer.

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