The MQ-500 Quantum Meter is the instrument of choice for scientists around the world to accurately measure photosynthetically active radiation from all light sources. It has a hand-held,...
The MQ-500 Quantum Meter is the instrument of choice for scientists around the world to accurately measure photosynthetically active radiation from all light sources. It has a hand-held, cable-connected meter that displays and stores measurements.The sensor incorporates a blue-enhanced silicon photodiode and customised optical filters with a robust, self-cleaning sensor housing design and an anodised aluminium body with acrylic diffuser.Typical applications include PPFD measurements on plant canopies in outdoor environments, greenhouses and growth chambers, and reflected or under-canopy (transmitted) PPFD measurements in the same environments. Quantum sensors are also used to measure PAR / PPFD in aquatic environments, including saltwater aquariums where corals are grown.
The instrument has a sampling and logging mode and will record an integrated daily total in mol m -2 d -1. Sample mode records up to 99 manual measurements. Log mode will switch the instrument on/off to take a measurement every 30 seconds.Every 30 minutes the instrument will average the sixty 30-second measurements and record the average value in memory. The instrument can store up to 99 averages, once full it will start overwriting the oldest measurement with new ones.An integrated daily total will be recorded from the 48 average measurements (making a 24-hour period). Sample and log measurements can be reviewed on the LCD display or by downloading the data to a computer, however, the integrated daily total can only be viewed by downloading the data to a computer.Downloading data to a filecomputer requires the AC-100 communication cable (a standard USB cable will not work) and ApogeeAMS software.
How is the MQ-500 different from previous Apogee quantum sensors? The MQ-500 is a full-spectrum quantum sensor with a spectral range of 389 to 692 nm ± 5 nm, which can be seen in the graph below. This improved spectral response of this new meter increases the accuracy of LED measurements compared to our previous original models.
Where is the MQ-500 used? The MQ-500 is used to measure incoming PPFD measurements in outdoor environments, greenhouses, growth chambers and aquariums.
Recalculation in progress … 
