The absolute radiometric calibration facility ARCF 2.0 at TNO

Abstract

Optical components with scattering properties, so-called diffusers, are core elements of calibration units in earth observation instruments. Their performance influences significantly the achievable accuracy of scientific observations. It is of high importance however to characterize the scattering properties of such a diffuser with minimum uncertainty on-ground before launched into orbit and before being utilized in its calibration purpose. Over the past decades TNO has operated an “Absolute Radiometric Calibration Facility (ARCF)” to ensure such accurate characterization of space components. In the recent past TNO has put increased efforts in upgrading and modernizing its facility into a modern high class facility (ARCF 2.0) to measure scattering properties of a variety of materials and components to meet the growing demands for accurate measurements for space applications. This paper describes the above mentioned facility ARCF 2.0 with its unique measurement capabilities and outlies several examples.