Radiant intensity

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In radiometry, radiant intensity is a measure of the intensity of electromagnetic radiation. It is defined as power per unit solid angle. The SI unit of radiant intensity is watts per steradian (W·sr^-1). It is distinct from intensity defined by irradiance or radiant exitance which measure radiation directed at or emitted from a given surface area.

[edit] See also

• Candela
• Luminous intensity
• Intensity

[edit]

SI radiometry units

Quantity	Symbol	SI unit	Abbr.	Notes
Radiant energy	Q	joule	J	energy
Radiant flux	Φ	watt	W	radiant energy per unit time, also called radiant power
Radiant intensity	I	watt per steradian	W·sr−1	power per unit solid angle
Radiance	L	watt per steradian per square metre	W·sr−1·m−2	power per unit solid angle per unit projected source area. Sometimes confusingly called "intensity".
Irradiance	E	watt per square metre	W·m−2	power incident on a surface. Sometimes confusingly called "intensity".
Radiant exitance / Radiant emittance	M	watt per square metre	W·m−2	power emitted from a surface. Sometimes confusingly called "intensity".
Spectral radiance	Lλ or Lν	watt per steradian per metre3 or watt per steradian per square metre per hertz	W·sr−1·m−3 or W·sr−1·m−2·Hz−1	commonly measured in W·sr−1·m−2·nm−1
Spectral irradiance	Eλ or Eν	watt per metre3 or watt per square metre per hertz	W·m−3 or W·m−2·Hz−1	commonly measured in W·m−2·nm−1