Successful integration of day lighting systems requires the ability to predict their performance for given climates. In this, a bottom-up approach is applied to evaluate the optical performance of a selection of day lighting systems. The evaluations are based on the optical properties of the included materials, and focuses on developing new optical characterization methods. The work on characterization techniques uses an integrating sphere method to characterize the transmittance of light scattering samples more accurately. The method's principle is to reduce the discrepancy in light distribution between the reference and the sample scans by using an entry port beam diffuser. For samples exhibiting distinct light scattering patterns, the benefits of improved uniformity outweigh the errors introduced by the diffusing material. The method is applicable to any integrating sphere instrument, and its simplicity makes it suitable for standard measurements.
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