HUD300 Goniometer
The HUD300 Gonio produces monochromatic light at the required wavelength across a broad spectral range through its Czerny-Turner monochromator-based tunable light source. By performing repeated consistency checks to maintain a 100% transmission reference, the system ensures continuous accuracy in its measurements. It can scan a wide section of the light spectrum to build transmission, reflection, and absorption curves for samples consisting of multiple optical surfaces (see Figure 1 for an example graph).
Additionally, the instrument’s precisely engineered motorized components offer fine control over sample positioning, making it easy to analyze exact configurations. These components also enable wavelength scans across numerous geometries without any manual reconfiguration. A dedicated software package coordinates all adjustments automatically and stores the results for convenient review at any time.
Capabilities
(Image: US Navy pilot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons).
HUD Mode
The HUD Mode is a core functionality of the HUD300 Gonio, specifically tailored for analyzing head-up displays (HUDs)—transparent displays typically made of multiple surfaces that project critical information directly into the user’s field of view (often from below; see Figure 2 for a real-life example). This feature allows you to investigate how light interacts with HUDs or similar optical devices, supporting both commercial automotive and military-grade applications.
In HUD Mode, the instrument enables reflection and transmission calculations under realistic conditions. For example, it can simulate changes in viewing angle (e.g., when a user looks up or down at a display) and viewer height. You can also combine these factors, covering a full range of physical viewing scenarios, including periscope transmissions.
Gonio Mode
In Gonio Mode, the focus is on mapping a single plate or surface. The incident angle can be varied, and the plate is adjusted accordingly. You can measure either reflection or transmission, but only the primary reflection or transmission is recorded—secondary reflections or periscope transmissions are excluded.
BenWin+ Utility
To streamline data collection over entire surfaces, the HUD300 Gonio integrates with BenWin+, our dedicated measurement software suite. This package simplifies system operation by allowing you to switch between HUD Mode and Gonio Mode within seconds, as well as generate high-quality plots of reflection and transmission spectra.
The software can automate the entire sequence of measurements based on your initial input parameters. First, the system performs a 100% transmission measurement to establish a baseline. It then runs through the required measurements, reconfiguring sample and detector positions as needed. To maintain consistent accuracy across various wavelengths and angles, the system periodically resets and re-measures the 100% transmission baseline. After completion, the instrument returns to its starting position and closes the light shutter—ensuring a streamlined, fully automated workflow.
