Introduction. Measuring the Optical Radiant Power

Abstract

Some black night in your darkened bedroom, stick your head under the covers and press on the corner of your eye. Then you will see a bright light, in the form of a colored, yellow, shining ring. The words printed here in italics are used by our natural language to describe sensory perceptions. Every involvement with light and its measurement (photometry, see Chap. 29), and every investigation of colors and brilliance do not belong in the realm of physics; they are the jurisdiction of psychology and physiology. Taking this fundamental fact into account from the outset can avoid many fruitless discussions and diversions.