1-4 I E S LIGHTING HANDBOOK

Luminosity of Radiant Energy

The apparent differences in character between radiant energy of various
wavelengths are in reality differences in ability of various receiving and
detecting devices.
3
The reception characteristics
of
the human eye have been subject to ex-
tensive investigations. The results may be summarized as follows:
1. The spectral response characteristic of the human eye varies between
individuals, with time, and with the age and the state of health of any indi-
vidual, to the extent that the selection of any individual to act as a standard
observer is not scientifically feasible.
2. However, from the wealth of data available, a luminosity curve
has been selected for engineering purposes which represents the average
human observer. This curve may be applied mathematically to the solu-
tion of photometric problems so as to eliminate the disadvantages related
to all measurements dependent on the accurate reporting of human sensa-
tions. (See also Section 2.)
Recognizing these facts, the Illuminating Engineering Society in 1923
and the International Commission on Illumination (I.C.I.) in 1924 adopted
the standard luminosity factors of Table 1-3 from which the luminosity
curve of Fig. 1-2 was plotted.
Table 1-3. Standard Luminosity Factors
(Relative to unity at 0.554 micron wavelength)*'
WAVELENGTH
FACTOR
WAVELENGTH
FACTOR
WAVELENGTH
FACTOR
(micron) (micron) (micron)
0.380 0.00004 0.510 0.503 0.640 0.175
.390 .00012 .520 .710 .650 .107
.400 .0004 .530 .862 .660 .061
.410 .0012 .540 .954 .670 .032
.420 .0040 .550 .995 .680 .017
.430 .0116 .560 .995 .690 .0082
.440 .023 .570 .952 .700 .0041
.450 .038 .580 .870 .710 .0021
.460 .060 .590 .757 .720 .00105
.470 .091 .600 .631 .730 .00052
.480 .139 .610 .503 .740 .00025
.490 .208 .620 .381 .750 .00012
.500 .323 .630 .265 .760 .00006
1
Luminosity factor = 1.0002 for 0.555 micron is maximum.
The standard luminosity curve represents an average characteristic
from which the characteristic of any individual may be expected to vary.
Goodeve's data (Fig. 1-3) indicate that most human observers are capable
of experiencing a visual sensation upon exposure to radiation of infrared
wavelengths (longer than 0.76 micron). It also is known that observers
exhibit a slight response to ultraviolet wavelengths (shorter than 0.38
micron).