Product Review: Full Spectrum Quantum Meter (Product Code: IC-MQ-500)
The Instrument Choice Team of Scientists regularly reviews new and popular products – which means when it's time to find the perfect scientific instrument for your application, you can make adequately informed decisions.
This edition evaluates the IC-MQ-500 Full-Spectrum Quantum Meter by Apogee Instruments, detailing the meter’s key features, specifications and examples of best applications.
About Apogee Instruments
Since its formation in 1996, Apogee Instruments has grown to become a highly respected, leading manufacturer of innovative, durable, and accurate environmental scientific instruments.
Instrument Choice strongly recommends Apogee Instruments as specialists in plant meters and for other environmental monitoring equipment.
Browse all plant meters by Apogee Instruments here.
Why Measure PAR/PPFD?
PAR is Photosynthetically Active Radiation. This term refers to a range of 400 to 700 nanometers, which is the band of radiation wavelength visible to the human eye.PAR light drives photosynthesis. Not surprising, the intensity of PAR levels strongly correlates with plant growth.
While PAR is the type of light required for plant photosynthesis, it is not a defined measurement.Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD) is the metric used to determine the amount and quality of PAR light. Technically, PPFD measures the light intensity and the amount of light reaching the plant as micromoles per square meter per second (μmol/m²/s).
Instruments capable of sensing PPFD are known as Full-Spectrum Quantum Meters. Typical applications include the measurement of PPFD:
- 1.reaching plant canopies in outdoor growing environments, greenhouses, and growth chambers
- 2.reflected by or under-canopy environments; and
- 3.in aquatic environments - including saltwater aquariums where corals are grown.
| IC TIP: Sensors that measure PPFD are often called quantum sensors due to radiation's quantised nature. |
About The Apogee Full-Spectrum Quantum Meter (IC-MQ-500)
The MQ-500 quantum meter is the tool of choice for scientists, researchers and plant growers worldwide. The meter will accurately measure PPFD emitted from any light source. Apogee Instruments’ Full-Spectrum Quantum Flux Meter consists of a handheld digital meter connected by cable to dedicated quantum sensors located in an anodised aluminium housing. Each sensor includes a cast acrylic diffuser, a photodiode, with fully potted electronics resistant to shock, and water ingress.
Apogee Full-Spectrum Quantum Meter Features and Benefits
1.Refined Spectral Response
This feature improves the spectral response and therefore, the accuracy of LED measurements. That means the meter is suitable for use in natural and artificial light.
2.Accurate and Stable Measurements
Factory calibration to a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceable lamp occurs under controlled laboratory calibrations. The quantum sensor is cosine corrected, with directional errors less than ± 5 % at a solar zenith angle of 75°. Long-term non-stability is less than 2% per year - a result determined after testing multiple replicate quantum sensors in accelerated ageing and field trials.
3.Tough and Easy to Clean
The MQ-500 quantum meter is IP68 rated. A dome-shaped sensor head (diffuser and body) facilitates dew, rain and particle runoff, keeping the sensor clean and minimising errors caused by dust blocking the radiation path. The rugged anodised aluminium body houses the sensors and fully-potted electronics.
Apogee Full-Spectrum Quantum Meter Specifications
| Apogee Quantum Flux PAR Meter IC-MQ-500 Specifications | |
| Measurement Range | 0 to 4000 µmol m-2 s -1 |
| Measurement Repeatability | less than 0.5 % |
| Calibration Uncertainty | ± 5 % |
| Long Term Drift | Less than 2 % per year |
| Non-linearity | Less than 1 % (up to 4000 µmol m-2 s-1) |
| Response Time | Less than 1 ms |
| Field of View | 180° |
| Spectral Range | 389 to 692 nm ± 5 nm (wavelengths where the response is greater than 50 % |
| Spectral Selectivity | Less than 10 % from 412 to 682 nm ± 5 nm |
| Directional (Cosine) Response | ± 5 % at 75º zenith angle |
| Azimuth Error | Less than 0.5 % |
| Tilt Error | Less than 0.5 % |
| Temperature Response | -0.11 ± 0.04 % C -1 |
| Uncertainty in Daily Total | Less than 5 % |
| Detector | Blue-enhanced silicon photodiode |
| Housing | Anodised aluminium body with acrylic diffuser |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Operating Environment | 0 to 50 C; less than 90 % non-condensing relative humidity up to 30 C; less than 70 % non-condensing relativity humidity from 30 to 50 C; separate sensors submersible to a depth of 30 metres. |
| Meter Dimensions | 126 mm length; 70 mm width; 24 mm height |
| Sensor Dimensions | 24 mm diameter; 37 mm height |
Conclusion
The IC-MQ-500 Quantum Flux PAR Meter boasts practical features that make the instrument ideal for measuring PAR/PPFD in commercial environments such as growth chambers, greenhouses, and aquaculture.
Click here to browse the full range of plant meters manufactured by Apogee Instruments
For more information on quantum flux PAR meters, line quantum meters or plant meters, speak with an Instrument Choice Scientist! We're here to help! Call 1300 737 871 or email [email protected].
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