Synchrotron Radiation as a Standard of Spectral Emission

Synchrotron radiation is being investigated as an alternative standard to black-body radiation for establishing standards of spectral emission, particularly in the ultraviolet. Initial measurements, in which the radiation has been compared with existing standards, have shown good agreement between the measured and predicted distributions over the range 350 to 600 nm. It is hoped to use the radiation to calibrate deuterium lamps, initially down to 200 nm, for use as working standards.