In 1991, Scintec introduced the Surface Layer Scintillometer SLS20, the first inner scale scintillometer commercially available. Since then, hundreds of scientists have discovered and used the advantages of scintillometry in turbulence sensing: heat flux, momentum flux and other turbulence characteristics are measured with very high temporal resolution, with true spatial averaging, with absence of flow distortion, and with ease. Applications are found in meteorology, climatology, agriculture, hydrology, pollution monitoring, optical technology and geodesy.

Each scintillometer consists of a laser transmitter and a receiver. Refractive index fluctuations caused by thermal changes in the air cause variations in the intensity of the laser light at the receiver. Such variations are evaluated to yield the turbulence information. Using a patented method, the Scintec SLS Series scintillometers are the only instruments providing both, heat flux and momentum flux by purely optical means. Other output quantities include the Obukhov length, the structure parameter of refractive index Cn2, the dissipation rate of kinetic energy and the crosswind speed.

The SLS20-A and SLS40-A feature automatic beam steering. The SLS40 and SLS40-A can compensate for the movements of installations on towers. The OEBMS1 is a complete system for the measurement of the surface energy balance.

The Scintec SLS Series has become the synonym for scintillometers in environmental sciences.