Metrology Research Institute

Light is everywhere around us in the form of sunlight, artificial lighting and signaling. Most electrical equipment use either visible or infrared radiation for signaling, displays, sensing, data read-out, or digital communication. Colour is one of the most significant properties in consumer products.

Metrology research of optical radiation measurements is divided into three branches:

• Radiometry deals with characteristics of light sources and detectors
• Photometry studies light as humans see it, and
• Spectrophotometry investigates optical components as well as the optical properties of materials.

Some of the facilities, developed in the laboratory, are at world-leading level, when comparing accuracy, compactness, and operating costs. The group's research concentrates on electronics, modern optics and optical radiation measurements.

Metrology Research Institute is a joint laboratory between Aalto University and MIKES. It is involved in many national and international projects. Most of the research in the laboratory is currently carried out within the frameworks of EURAMET (European Association for Metrology) EPM (European Partnership for Metrology, 2021-2027), EMPIR (European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research, 2014-2020), and EMRP (European Metrology Research Programme 2009-2013).

The Institute is the national standards laboratory for optical quantities in Finland, maintaining national standards of optical quantities and carrying out calibrations at the highest level. It has self-declared ISO 17025 compliance, participating in intercomparisons of CCPR (Consultative Commitee for Photometry and Radiometry) of BIPM (Bureau International de Poids et Mesures).

The research group is led by Professor Erkki Ikonen. See our detailed project descriptions for information about specific contact persons for each activity.