Standard Reference Materials for Densitometry An Update on Standards and Standardization in Optical Radiation Measurements

In 1985, Franc Grum of the Munsell Color Lab at Rochester Institute of Technology, Milton Pearson of the RIT Research Corporation, and Norman Scharpf of the Graphic Communications Association co-authored a TAGA paper on standards and standardization in optical radiation measurements. Since that time, a successful Standard Reference Material (SRM) has been developed for graphic arts reflection densitometry. This paper describes the SRM, the methods of certification tracing its density values to fundamental standards, and the results of laboratory and field testing. The industry impact of using the SRM to bring groups of densitometers into agreement and future plans for development of standards are discussed.