A new absolute thermoelectric radiometer

The instrument described is used in studying the processes of radiation energetics, for example in measuring integral heat fluxes. It may also be employed in various actinometric measurements: to study energy balance, measure direct solar radiation and other meteorological elements. The circuit design of the instrument is diagrammed, and it is shown that the sensitive element is provided by a thermal flux meter. A thermoelectric transducer and aluminum laminae, covered with 'black-body' pigment of known integral and spectral absorptivity are also necessary components. In the working range of the instrument, the functional relationship between the meter signal and the absorbed radiative electrical energy is almost linear and is reproduced with an error no worse than 0.5%.