Biospherical QSL100

1. Open light meter case carefully.

2. Check battery by holding on/off switch on “test” and observing meter reading (indicator should be to the far left of the meter scale, past the “bat.” arrow).

3. Zero meter if necessary by adjusting “zero” dial.

4. Check calibration switch. Flick switch to “dry” for measurements in air; to “wet” for measurements in liquid (e.g. in culture flask filled with distilled water).

5. Adjust “full scale irradiance” dial (quanta sec^-1 cm^-2) to a higher reading than anticipated.

6. Carefully handle light probe, especially the spherical sensor on the end. Place sensor in area when light intensity is to be measured.

7. Switch on/off switch to “on”. Adjust “full scale irradiance” dial to suitable level for accurate reading.

8. Read the appropriate scale for light intensity measurement.

Note that there are two scales on the meter: the top scale from 0-1

and the bottom scale from 0-3. This corresponds to the calibration

factor chosen on the irradiance dial. For example:

• If the irradiance dial is set at 3×10¹⁶, then use the bottom scale, such that a meter reading of 2.5 would be recorded as 2.5 x 10¹⁶
• If the irradiance dial is set at 1×10¹⁵, then use the top scale such that a meter reading of 0.75 would be recorded as 0.75 x10¹⁵ …or 7.5 x10¹⁴.
• A meter reading of 8.0 on 1×10¹⁵ scale and 0.8 on 3×10¹⁶ scale are the same measure, ie. 8 x10¹⁵

9. After measuring light intensity, switch on/off switch to “off’ and carefully replace light probe in light meter case. Dry light probe gently with a tissue if wet. Close light meter case.

To convert quanta cm^-2 sec^-1 to micromol photons m^-2 sec^-1, use the formula:

y (micromol photons m^-2 sec^-1) = quanta cm^-2sec^-1

6 x 10¹³

The unit micromol photons m^-2 sec^-1 is equivalent to the older term microeinsteins m^-2 sec^-1