This is the heart of the text. Boyd categorizes detectors into two families:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780128023554/radiometry-and-the-detection-of-optical-radiation radiometry and the detection of optical radiation boyd pdf
Before detecting light, one must quantify it. Radiometry is the measurement of electromagnetic radiation, including visible light. This is the heart of the text
Below is a structured technical summary of the key concepts Boyd presents, specifically focusing on the transition from theoretical radiometry to practical detection. Below is a structured technical summary of the
Radiometry is the science of measuring the intensity of optical radiation, which is essential in various fields such as physics, engineering, and astronomy. The detection of optical radiation is a crucial aspect of radiometry, and it has numerous applications in industries like telecommunications, medicine, and environmental monitoring. In this article, we will explore the fundamentals of radiometry and the detection of optical radiation, with a focus on the book "Radiometry and the Detection of Optical Radiation" by Boyd.
Boyd begins with the classical language of the field: radiant flux, intensity, radiance, and irradiance. He clarifies the often-confused distinctions between radiometric (power-based), photometric (eye-weighted), and quantum (photon-based) quantities. A key strength here is the treatment of etendue and throughput—concepts critical for designing optical systems that collect or deliver light efficiently.
Robert W. Boyd's "Radiometry and the Detection of Optical Radiation" is a foundational graduate-level text offering a unified treatment of the generation, transfer, and measurement of optical and infrared radiation. The book provides a detailed framework for understanding key radiometric quantities, blackbody radiation, and the physical mechanisms of various detectors, including thermal and photoemissive sensors. You can access a copy of the book through Internet Archive or find purchasing options at Harvard University