A photoluminescence sensor device for verifying a security feature of an object in a measurement range of the sensor device, the sensor device comprising: - a radiation generating device comprising a radiation source configured to generate electromagnetic radiation in a first wavelength range, the electromagnetic radiation being suitable for bringing a photoluminescent substance as security feature or as part of a security feature of the object into an excited energy state, - a receiving device which is designed to receive electromagnetic radiation emitted by the photoluminescent substance in a second wavelength range which differs from the first wavelength range and to generate a corresponding receiving signal in a measurement mode, - an evaluation device which is designed to evaluate the receiving signal, - a control device which is designed to control the radiation generating device in the measurement mode and in a calibration mode in such a way that the electromagnetic radiation generated by the radiation generating device in at least one time interval has a time characteristic of the radiation flux density which is not constant in the time interval, wherein the sensor device is configured in such a way that the receiving device receives, in the calibration mode in which no security feature is located in the measuring range of the sensor device, and in the measuring mode, a portion of the electromagnetic radiation generated by the radiation generating device which reaches the receiving device without having previously reached the measuring range, and to generate a corresponding calibration signal, wherein the electromagnetic radiation generated by the radiation generating device is partially deflected by at least one optical device of the sensor device coming from the radiation source, both in the measurement mode and in the calibration mode, such that the part of the electromagnetic radiation generated by the radiation generating device is produced which is received by the receiving device and according to which the receiving device generates the calibration signal in the calibration mode, and wherein the evaluation device is configured to evaluate the calibration signal generated in the calibration mode, to generate a corresponding calibration result and to use the calibration result in the evaluation of the receiving signal from the measurement operation. - a radiation generating device comprising a radiation source configured to generate electromagnetic radiation in a first wavelength range, the electromagnetic radiation being suitable for bringing a photoluminescent substance as security feature or as part of a security feature of the object into an excited energy state, - a receiving device which is designed to receive electromagnetic radiation emitted by the photoluminescent substance in a second wavelength range which differs from the first wavelength range and to generate a corresponding receiving signal in a measurement mode, - an evaluation device which is designed to evaluate the receiving signal, - a control device which is designed to control the radiation generating device in the measurement mode and in a calibration mode in such a way that the electromagnetic radiation generated by the radiation generating device in at least one time interval has a time characteristic of the radiation flux density which is not constant in the time interval, wherein the sensor device is configured in such a way that the receiving device receives, in the calibration mode in which no security feature is located in the measuring range of the sensor device, and in the measuring mode, a portion of the electromagnetic radiation generated by the radiation generating device which reaches the receiving device without having previously reached the measuring range, and to generate a corresponding calibration signal, wherein the electromagnetic radiation generated by the radiation generating device is partially deflected by at least one optical device of the sensor device coming from the radiation source, both in the measurement mode and in the calibration mode, such that the part of the electromagnetic radiation generated by the radiation generating device is produced which is received by the receiving device and according to which the receiving device generates the calibration signal in the calibration mode, and wherein the evaluation device is configured to evaluate the calibration signal generated in the calibration mode, to generate a corresponding calibration result and to use the calibration result in the evaluation of the receiving signal from the measurement operation.