Introducing Line Quantum Meters by Apogee Instruments!
Apogee Instruments is a respected manufacturer of innovative, durable, and accurate environmental scientific instruments. This article takes a close look at Apogee’s Line Quantum Meters. We detail what these devices measure and why they are essential tools for commercial growers.
Read on to discover how Apogee Instruments Line Quantum Meters can contribute to higher yields for growers
Line Quantum Sensors - What Do They Measure?
Line Quantum sensors measure a spatial average of Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR), which is strongly correlated with plant growth.
PAR light is the wavelength range from 400 to 700 nanometers. There are two main measurements used:
- PPF (Photosynthetic Photon Flux):Measures light intensity by determining the emission of photons per second, expressed as micromoles per second (μmol/s).
- PPFD (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density): Measures both the intensity of the light as well as the amount of light reaching the plant as micromoles per square meter per second (μmol/m²/s). Sensors that measure PPFD are often called quantum sensors due to the quantized nature of radiation. Quantum refers to the minimum quantity of radiation involved in physical interactions, i.e., one photon. So to summerise, one photon is a single quantum of radiation.
Commercial Applications for Line Quantum Meters
Typical environments where Line Quantum sensors can contribute to productivity include:
- PAR over plant canopies in outdoor environments, greenhouses, and growth chambers
- Reflected or under-canopy PPFD measurements, also in outdoor environments, greenhouses, and growth chambers
- PAR/PPFD in aquatic environments, including saltwater aquariums where corals are grown.
Apogee Instruments ‘MQ’ Series of Line Quantum Meters
Instrument Choice stocks all three variations of the Apogee Instruments MQ-300 series of Line Quantum meters. Commercial growers commonly use the meters in this product line. All models feature a handheld unit and sensor bar. The distinguishing feature between the three models is the number of sensors present on the sensor bar.
- Line Quantum With 10 Sensors And Handheld Meter Product Code: IC-MQ-301 (10 Sensors, 70cm bar)
- Line Quantum With 6 Sensors And Handheld Meter Product Code: IC-MQ-306 (6 Sensors, 50cm bar)
- Line Quantum With 3 Sensors And Handheld Meter Product Code: IC-MQ-303 (3 Sensors, 50cm bar)
Apogee MQ-300 series of line quantum sensors measure a spatial average of PAR. The three instruments listed above have sensors that provide real-time PPFD
readings on the LCD screen of a separate handheld unit. All models offer calibrations for both sunlight and electric light measurements.
Another key feature of the ‘MQ’ series of quantum meters is manual and automatic data logging for making spot-check measurements or calculating daily light integral (DLI). ‘Sample mode’ will record up to 99 manual measurements, and ‘Log mode’ will power the meter on/off to make a measurement every 30 seconds. The meter will average the sixty 30-second measurements every 30-minutes and record the averaged value to memory. The meter can store up to 99 of these averages.
MQ Series Specifications
- Calibration Uncertainty: ± 5 %
- Measurement Repeatability: < 1 %
- Non-stability (Long-term Drift): < 2 % per year
- Non-linearity: < 1 % (up to 3000 µmol m-2 s-1 )
- Response Time: < 1 ms
- Field of View: 180°
- Spectral Range: 410 nm to 655 nm (wavelengths where the response is greater than 50 % of maximum)
- Directional (Cosine) Response: 0.06 ± 0.06 % per C
- Temperature Response: ± 5 % at 75° zenith angle
- Operating Environment: 0 to 50 C, < 90 % non-condensing
- Sensor Dimensions IC-MQ-301: 70 cm length, 1.5 cm width, 1.5 cm height
- Sensor Dimensions IC-MQ-306 and IC-MQ-303: 50 cm length, 1.5 cm width, 1.5 cm height
Conclusion
Apogee Instruments ‘MQ’ selection of Line Quantum meters is packed full of practical features that make the measurement and data collection of PAR light a straightforward task. These devices are ideal for taking PAR/PPFD measurements in commercial outdoor, growth chamber, greenhouse, and aquatic environments.
To browse the full range of plant meters manufactured by Apogee Instruments, click here.
For more information on Line Quantum meters, contact one of the Instrument Choice Scientists. We’re here to help! Call 1300 737 871 or email [email protected].
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