We use a somewhat specialized flourescnet tube here in our department. They
are flourescent germicidal lamps. These lamps are used to kill bacteria and
fungi to keep rooms sterile for bacterialogical and fungal work. The tubes
are a flourescent tube without the phosphorous coating. The tubes emit a very
strong UV light - strong enough to kill microbes and cause serious damage to
the eyes. (When working in these sterile rooms the germicidal lamps are turned
off to prevent any health hazards to the people working in them) These are
unusual lamps, I have not read about them being used in alternative
photographic work. They may work quite well for as a UV exposure device, but
they would have to be used with a great deal of caution.
I use a self-ballasting mecury vapour lamp as a UV light source. These lamps
put our a great deal of UV light and don't require a special fixture or
ballast. They simply screw into a regular incandescent fixture. The bulbs
are fairly expensive ($50-$100). Some self-ballasting MV bulbs are used as a UV
source for floursscent dies in medical research - one of these would work quite
well. One brand name of these is "Medi-Ray"
>
>I am building an exposure unit for alternative processes and was
>wondering if there is anyone out there who has had experience with
>fluorescent tubes made by Voltarc or Phillips (is anybody out there -
>it's been awfully quite lately?). Specifically I am interested in any
>tubes that might reduce my exposure times from that obtained by using
>a standard "BL" tube. The reason I raise this question is because I
>understand that ICP (International Center of Photography - NYC) has
>installed Voltarcs in their new darkrooms and they are said to reduce
>exposure times; I have yet to speak with anyone who has done a direct
>comparison. The Phillips bulbs, I believe Phillips calls them
>"Actinics" draw 40 W. as opposed to the usual 20 W. (they require a
>special ballast); again I have not spoken to anyone who has actual
>used them.
>
>greg schmitz
>gws1@columbia.edu
________________________________________________________________________
Gord Holtslander Department of Biology
HOLTSLANDER@SKYFOX.USASK.CA University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Tel (306)966-4433 S7N 0W0
Fax (306)966-4462 Canada
________________________________________________________________________