Optical ray-tracing simulation method for the investigation of radiance non-uniformity of an integrating sphere

The paper deals with possibilities and limits of optical simulations of extended uniform light sources. Optical simulations of ideal and real light sources are performed using optical ray-tracing software which is capable to simulate non-imaging systems such as Lambertian disc and integrating spheres. The simulation methodology is validated by comparing the developed simulation model with a real experiment previously performed in optical laboratory. The comparison is made on the radiance uniformity measurement and simulation results of a general purpose integrating sphere rather than on less convenient and more frequent irradiance uniformity measurements. The aim is to develop a reliable simulation method for the investigation of radiance non-uniformity of any real extended uniform light source.