Optical metrological errors in temperature measurement applications

Radiation thermometry uses optical measurements for a non-contact determination of object temperatures. Error analyses for this measuring method must therefore also take optical measuring errors into consideration. It is often the optical system that makes the difference between radiation thermometers. The specifications given in the manufacturers’ data sheets are often insufficient and difficult for users to compare. The following article explains the basics, specifications and practical effects of optical aberrations. Methods are presented how the user himself can check the quality of the optical system of the selected radiation thermometer.