- Measure laser power from VIS to NIR
- Flexible in use
- Uncoated Polymer Integrating Spheres
Polymer integrating spheres from Artifex Engineering measure laser power accurately from the visible to the near-infrared range. Each sphere is CNC-machined from solid, highly reflective polymer rather than coated. The result is excellent efficiency, stable Lambertian diffusion, and reliable performance across the full 250–2500 nm range.
Five models are available, with internal diameters from 10 mm to 100 mm and power handling of up to 100 W. Compact versions are plug-and-play units with an integrated photodiode. Larger versions offer modular ports you can configure for your exact setup.
P10
-
Power Handling (CW):
up to 150mW int. -
High power density:
100W/cm² -
Internal Diameter:
Ø10mm -
Input Port Diameter:
Ø3.5mm -
Integrated Photodiode:
Yes -
Optional Photodiode:
No -
Integrated Ports :
SMA -
Compatibility:
Artifex OPMs, TZAs, LIVs & GIAs -
Rotatibility:
No
P20
-
Power Handling (CW):
up to 500mW int. -
High power density:
100W/cm² -
Internal Diameter:
Ø20mm -
Input Port Diameter:
Ø7mm -
Integrated Photodiode:
Yes -
Optional Photodiode:
No -
Integrated Ports :
SMA -
Compatibility:
Artifex OPMs, TZAs, LIVs & GIAs -
Rotatibility:
No
SP20
-
Power Handling (CW):
up to 500mW int. / 20W ext. -
High power density:
100W/cm² -
Internal Diameter:
Ø20mm -
Input Port Diameter:
Ø7mm -
Integrated Photodiode:
No -
Optional Photodiode:
Internal & External -
Integrated Ports :
SMA, FC, Photodiode -
Compatibility:
Artifex OPMs, TZAs, LIVs & GIAs -
Rotatibility:
Yes
SP50
-
Power Handling (CW):
up to 5W int. / 40W ext. -
High power density:
100W/cm² -
Internal Diameter:
Ø50mm -
Input Port Diameter:
Ø12.5mm -
Integrated Photodiode:
No -
Optional Photodiode:
Internal & External -
Integrated Ports :
SMA, FC, Photodiode -
Compatibility:
Artifex OPMs, TZAs, LIVs & GIAs -
Rotatibility:
Yes
SP100
-
Power Handling (CW):
up to 20W int. / 100W ext. -
High power density:
100W/cm² -
Internal Diameter:
Ø100mm -
Input Port Diameter:
Ø25mm -
Integrated Photodiode:
No -
Optional Photodiode:
Internal & External -
Integrated Ports :
SMA, FC, Photodiode -
Compatibility:
Artifex OPMs, TZAs, LIVs & GIAs -
Rotatibility:
Yes
P10
-
Power Handling (CW):
up to 150mW int. -
High power density:
100W/cm² -
Internal Diameter:
Ø10mm -
Input Port Diameter:
Ø3.5mm -
Integrated Photodiode:
Yes -
Optional Photodiode:
No -
Integrated Ports :
SMA -
Compatibility:
Artifex OPMs, TZAs, LIVs & GIAs -
Rotatibility:
No
P20
-
Power Handling (CW):
up to 500mW int. -
High power density:
100W/cm² -
Internal Diameter:
Ø20mm -
Input Port Diameter:
Ø7mm -
Integrated Photodiode:
Yes -
Optional Photodiode:
No -
Integrated Ports :
SMA -
Compatibility:
Artifex OPMs, TZAs, LIVs & GIAs -
Rotatibility:
No
SP20
-
Power Handling (CW):
up to 500mW int. / 20W ext. -
High power density:
100W/cm² -
Internal Diameter:
Ø20mm -
Input Port Diameter:
Ø7mm -
Integrated Photodiode:
No -
Optional Photodiode:
Internal & External -
Integrated Ports :
SMA, FC, Photodiode -
Compatibility:
Artifex OPMs, TZAs, LIVs & GIAs -
Rotatibility:
Yes
SP50
-
Power Handling (CW):
up to 5W int. / 40W ext. -
High power density:
100W/cm² -
Internal Diameter:
Ø50mm -
Input Port Diameter:
Ø12.5mm -
Integrated Photodiode:
No -
Optional Photodiode:
Internal & External -
Integrated Ports :
SMA, FC, Photodiode -
Compatibility:
Artifex OPMs, TZAs, LIVs & GIAs -
Rotatibility:
Yes
SP100
-
Power Handling (CW):
up to 20W int. / 100W ext. -
High power density:
100W/cm² -
Internal Diameter:
Ø100mm -
Input Port Diameter:
Ø25mm -
Integrated Photodiode:
No -
Optional Photodiode:
Internal & External -
Integrated Ports :
SMA, FC, Photodiode -
Compatibility:
Artifex OPMs, TZAs, LIVs & GIAs -
Rotatibility:
Yes
Do you need further information? Find useful links here!
What Are Polymer Integrating Spheres?
An integrating sphere, also known as an Ulbricht sphere, is a hollow sphere with a highly reflective, diffuse inner surface. Light entering the sphere is scattered many times until it is evenly distributed across the inner wall. A detector mounted on a port then measures a signal proportional to the total input power, regardless of beam shape, divergence, or alignment.
Polymer integrating spheres use a solid reflective polymer as the scattering material. Because the entire body is made from this material, there is no coating to age, crack, or flake. The high reflectivity and Lambertian diffusivity of the polymer give the spheres wide-band efficiency from UV to NIR.
Why Choose Uncoated Polymer Integrating Spheres?
Coated spheres depend on a thin reflective layer that can degrade over time or under high power. Artifex polymer integrating spheres are machined from solid material, so the reflective surface goes all the way through. This construction offers several practical advantages.
The spheres deliver high efficiency thanks to the high reflectivity of the quality polymer. They cover a broad spectral range of 250–2500 nm with a single sphere. All models withstand a high power density of 100 W/cm². They are flexible in use, serving both optical power measurement and beam homogenization for accurate spectral analysis.
Compact Polymer Integrating Spheres: P10 and P20
The P10 and P20 are compact, ready-to-measure polymer integrating spheres. Each has an integrated photodiode for optical power measurement and an SMA fibre port for auxiliary functions such as spectral analysis. Both outputs sit on the back of the device, keeping the input side clear.
You can choose a UV-Silicon, VIS-enhanced InGaAs, or Germanium photodiode to match your wavelength. The P10 and P20 are calibrated and work directly with the OPM150 series of optical power meters. Just plug into your USB port and start measuring.
The P10, with its Ø3.5 mm input port, suits small beams and low-power sources up to 150 mW. The P20 has a Ø7 mm input port and handles up to 500 mW.
Modular Polymer Integrating Spheres: SP20, SP50 and SP100
The SP series is built for flexibility. These polymer integrating spheres have standardized, rotatable ports that you can populate with a photodiode or a fibre receptacle, so one sphere can adapt to many measurement tasks.
For the 50 mm and 100 mm spheres, you can choose SMA or FC fibre receptacles, or a photodiode in UV-Silicon, VIS-enhanced InGaAs, Germanium, or IR-extended InGaAs. The photodiode port can be terminated with a BNC or SMA receptacle, or with the OPM150 connector for direct compatibility with the OPM150 power meter series. Calibration is available on request.
The SP20 handles up to 20 W, the SP50 up to 40 W, and the SP100 up to 100 W, making them a strong fit for high-power laser diodes and fibre lasers.
Beam Homogenization with the SP100
Polymer integrating spheres are also an excellent tool for beam homogenization. The 100 mm SP100 achieves a homogeneity of better than 1% at its 25 mm port when illuminated through the side fibre ports. This makes it a reliable uniform light source for spectral analysis, detector testing, and camera calibration.
How to Choose the Right Polymer Integrating Sphere
Start with your laser power. For sources below 500 mW, the compact P10 or P20 offers the simplest plug-and-play setup. For higher powers up to 100 W, choose the SP20, SP50, or SP100.
Next, consider beam size and divergence. The input port must comfortably accept your beam, ranging from Ø3.5 mm on the P10 to Ø25 mm on the SP100.
Finally, think about flexibility. If you need several fibre outputs, rotatable ports, or a specific detector type such as IR-extended InGaAs, the modular SP series is the better choice. If you need uniform illumination, the SP100 delivers homogeneity better than 1%.
Applications of Polymer Integrating Spheres
Polymer integrating spheres are used for laser power measurement of collimated and divergent sources, LED and laser diode characterization, fibre-coupled power measurement, beam homogenization for spectroscopy, and LIV testing of laser diodes in combination with Artifex LIV systems and transimpedance amplifiers.
Application Notes
Accessories
Our adapters use our proprietary design to eliminate back reflections into the detector which would otherwise result in miscalibration of the detector.
They may be fitted by hand, or more conveniently by using the adapter mounting tool (order code 20.430.00018).
| wdt_ID | wdt_created_by | wdt_created_at | wdt_last_edited_by | wdt_last_edited_at | Photo | Name | Description | Connector | Compatibility | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | benjamin | 08/06/2026 01:08 PM | benjamin | 02/07/2026 04:30 PM |  |
FC-Adapter for P10 and P20 Integrating Spheres (30.070.00077) | FC fibre adapter to allow fibre input to integrating spheres. |
FC | • P10 • P20 |
Buy |
| 6 | benjamin | 08/06/2026 01:21 PM | benjamin | 02/07/2026 04:30 PM |  |
SMA-Adapter for P10 and P20 Integrating Spheres (30.070.00078) | SMA fibre adapter to allow fibre input to integrating spheres. | SMA | • P10 • P20 |
Buy |
| 7 | benjamin | 08/06/2026 01:22 PM | benjamin | 02/07/2026 04:30 PM |  |
FC-Adapter for SP20 and G25 Integrating Sphere (20.220.00078) | FC fibre adapter to allow fibre input to integrating spheres. |
FC | • G25 • SP20 |
Buy |
| 8 | benjamin | 08/06/2026 01:31 PM | benjamin | 02/07/2026 04:31 PM |  |
SMA-Adapter for SP20 and G25 Integrating Spheres (20.220.00077) | SMA fibre adapter to allow fibre input to integrating spheres. | SMA | • G25 • SP20 |
Buy |
| 9 | benjamin | 08/06/2026 01:32 PM | benjamin | 02/07/2026 04:31 PM |  |
FC-Adapter for SP50 and G65 Integrating Spheres (20.220.00035) | FC fibre adapter to allow fibre input to integrating spheres. | FC | • G65 • SP50 |
Buy |
| 10 | benjamin | 08/06/2026 01:36 PM | benjamin | 02/07/2026 04:31 PM |  |
Universal Port Adapter for SP50 Integrating Sphere (20.220.00048) | For cage and tube systems | Flexible | • SP50 |
Buy |
| 11 | benjamin | 08/06/2026 01:36 PM | benjamin | 02/07/2026 04:32 PM |  |
FC-Adapter for SP100 and G100L Integrating Spheres | FC fibre adapter to allow fibre input to integrating spheres. | FC | • G100L • SP100 |
Buy |
| 30 | benjamin | 08/06/2026 04:04 PM | benjamin | 17/06/2026 02:43 PM |  |
Carrying Case | This handy carrying case stores the OPM150 along with its detector head and various accessories: – base module – detector head – USB stick – three filters or other adapters – USB cable – tool or other accessory The carrying case may be ordered separately, but is included in the complete set kit. |
• P10 | Buy |
FAQs
What are polymer integrating spheres used for?
Polymer integrating spheres are used to measure optical and laser power from the visible to the near-infrared range. They are also used for beam homogenization, which creates uniform light for accurate spectral analysis.
What wavelength range do polymer integrating spheres cover?
Artifex polymer integrating spheres provide wide-band efficiency over the full range of 250–2500 nm, thanks to the high reflectivity and Lambertian diffusivity of the polymer.
What is the difference between coated and uncoated integrating spheres?
Coated spheres rely on a thin reflective layer applied to a housing. Artifex polymer integrating spheres are CNC-machined from solid reflective material, so there is no coating that can degrade, crack, or flake over time.
How much laser power can polymer integrating spheres handle?
Power handling depends on the model. The P10 handles up to 150 mW, the P20 up to 500 mW, the SP20 up to 20 W, the SP50 up to 40 W, and the SP100 up to 100 W. All models withstand a power density of 100 W/cm².
Which photodiodes are available?
The P10 and P20 can be fitted with UV-Silicon, VIS-enhanced InGaAs, or Germanium photodiodes. The SP50 and SP100 additionally offer IR-extended InGaAs.
Are the polymer integrating spheres calibrated?
The P10 and P20 are calibrated. The SP50 and SP100 can be calibrated on request.
Are the spheres compatible with an optical power meter?
Yes. The P10 and P20 work directly with the OPM150 series of optical power meters. The SP50 and SP100 are compatible when the photodiode port is terminated with the OPM150 connector. All spheres are compatible with Artifex OPMs, TZAs, LIVs, and GIAs.
Can I connect optical fibres to polymer integrating spheres?
Yes. The P10 and P20 have an integrated SMA fibre port, and the SP series accepts SMA and FC fibre receptacles. Dedicated adapters with a back-reflection-free design are available for every model.
How uniform is the light output of the SP100?
The SP100 achieves a homogeneity of better than 1% at its 25 mm port when illuminated through the side fibre ports.
What is an Ulbricht sphere?
Ulbricht sphere is another name for an integrating sphere, named after the German engineer Richard Ulbricht. Artifex polymer integrating spheres are Ulbricht spheres made from solid reflective polymer.
