Preferred Label : actinic flux;
Detailed label : actinic flux Sλ;
IUPAC definition : The quantity of light available to molecules at a particular point in the atmosphere
and which, on absorption, drives photochemical processes in the atmosphere. It is
calculated by integrating the spectral radiance L(λ,θ,ϕ) over all directions of incidence
of the light, E(λ) θ. φ.L(λ,θ,φ).cosθ.sinθ.dθ.dφ. If the radiance is expressed
in J m-2 s-1 st-1 nm-1 and h.c/λ is the energy per quantum of light of wavelength
λ, the actinic flux has units of quanta cm-2 s-1 nm-1. This important quantity is
one of the terms required in the calculation of i j /i -values, the first order rate
coefficients for photochemical processes in the sunlight-absorbing, trace gases in
the atmosphere. The actinic flux is determined by the solar radiation entering the
atmosphere and by any changes in this due to atmospheric gases and particles (e.g.
Rayleigh scattering absorption by stratospheric ozone, scattering and absorption by
aerosols and clouds), and reflections from the ground. It is therefore dependent on
the wavelength of the light, on the altitude and on specific local environmental conditions.
The actinic flux has borne many names (e.g. flux, flux density, beam irradiance actinic
irradiance, integrated intensity) which has caused some confusion. It is important
to distinguish the actinic flux from the spectral irradiance, which refers to energy
arrival on a flat surface having fixed spatial orientation (J m-2 nm-1) given by:
\[E(\lambda) \int _{\theta}\, \int _{\phi} L\left (\lambda,\theta,Φ \right )\, {cos}\,\theta
\: {sin}\,\theta\: {d}\theta\: {d}Φ\] The actinic flux does not refer to any specific
orientation because molecules are oriented randomly in the atmosphere. This distinction
is of practical relevance: the actinic flux (and therefore a i j /i -value) near
a brightly reflecting surface (e.g. over snow or above a thick cloud) can be a factor
of three higher than that near a non-reflecting surface. The more descriptive name
of spectral spheradiance is suggested for the quantity herein called actinic flux.;
Origin ID : A00086;
See also
The quantity of light available to molecules at a particular point in the atmosphere
and which, on absorption, drives photochemical processes in the atmosphere. It is
calculated by integrating the spectral radiance L(λ,θ,ϕ) over all directions of incidence
of the light, E(λ) θ. φ.L(λ,θ,φ).cosθ.sinθ.dθ.dφ. If the radiance is expressed
in J m-2 s-1 st-1 nm-1 and h.c/λ is the energy per quantum of light of wavelength
λ, the actinic flux has units of quanta cm-2 s-1 nm-1. This important quantity is
one of the terms required in the calculation of i j /i -values, the first order rate
coefficients for photochemical processes in the sunlight-absorbing, trace gases in
the atmosphere. The actinic flux is determined by the solar radiation entering the
atmosphere and by any changes in this due to atmospheric gases and particles (e.g.
Rayleigh scattering absorption by stratospheric ozone, scattering and absorption by
aerosols and clouds), and reflections from the ground. It is therefore dependent on
the wavelength of the light, on the altitude and on specific local environmental conditions.
The actinic flux has borne many names (e.g. flux, flux density, beam irradiance actinic
irradiance, integrated intensity) which has caused some confusion. It is important
to distinguish the actinic flux from the spectral irradiance, which refers to energy
arrival on a flat surface having fixed spatial orientation (J m-2 nm-1) given by:
\[E(\lambda) \int _{\theta}\, \int _{\phi} L\left (\lambda,\theta,Φ \right )\, {cos}\,\theta
\: {sin}\,\theta\: {d}\theta\: {d}Φ\] The actinic flux does not refer to any specific
orientation because molecules are oriented randomly in the atmosphere. This distinction
is of practical relevance: the actinic flux (and therefore a i j /i -value) near
a brightly reflecting surface (e.g. over snow or above a thick cloud) can be a factor
of three higher than that near a non-reflecting surface. The more descriptive name
of spectral spheradiance is suggested for the quantity herein called actinic flux.
