The Quantitative-Filter-Technique Integrating-Cavity Absorption-Meter is a newly designed spectrophotometric setup to measure particulate absorption of material on filters (filter pad technique), like phytoplankton, in the field or lab.

The instrument was developed by Dr. Rüdiger Röttgers at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Germany.

It combines a compact integrating cavity with a spectral detector and light source into a light weight, portable design to allow rapid measurements of particle-loaded filters in the center of an integrating sphere.

This optical concept has been proven to provide the most reliable measurements of particulate absorption when using the quantitative filter technique. It can easily be used onboard ships for direct measurement avoiding possible sample treatment and storage artifacts.