UV Transparency

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UV Transparency

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This test determines whether a transparent material transmits UV-A radiation. This is useful as Dr. Kilner felt that UV was an important factor for the aura screen to work.

However, this is denied by researcher Mark T., who has determined that it is better to block the UV radiation to lessen eye strain.

The only way to confirm or deny the effect is to be able to measure it.



UV Transparency Test Results


See the next section for the procedure used in these tests.

Object Tested UV Transparency white light transparency
Polycarbonate petri disk|0 - transparent|0 - transparent
Hoya UV filter1 - high0 - transparent
Eyeglasses with UV coating|3 - dark | 0 - transparent
Starna Pyrex Spectrophotometry Cells ++ 0 - transparent0 - transparent


  • ++ See ViewingScreens for data on the Starna Spectrophotometry Cells
  • It is surprising that the Hoya UV filter does not dim the UV-A radiation very effectively. It was close to deserving a 0 rating at that. I did not try other brands of UV filter.



UV Transparency Test Outline


Materials


  • UV Source
    • UV-A fluorescent lamp + socket / holder
  • Ordinary incandescent or fluorescent light source of similar wattage / luminosity to the UV source
  • UV sensitive paint
  • Stiff cover stock or white cardboard

Procedure


Preparations


Obtain card stock or other suitable material that has a surface that will take the paint. Coat the surface with UV-A fluorescent paint & let dry. This is now the UV-A Detector card.


In a dark room, turn on the UV-A source, and determine that the detector card indeed is strongly illuminated by the UV-A.
Turn off the UV-A source, and turn on the ordinary light, and note the dramatically different look of the UV-A detector.

Gross Qualitative Assessment


In a dark room, turn on the UV-A source, and illuminate the UV-A detector card at a suitable distance (a few feet,) noting the strong stimulation of the UV detector.

Then interpose the object under test so that the medium of interest is illuminated by the UV-A source, and is casting a shadow on the UV-A detector.

Note the density of the shadow, and rate according to this scale:
  • 0 - transparent - completely transparent to UV-A
  • 1 - high - slight dimming of the fluorescence
  • 2 - moderate - moderate dimming of the fluorescence
  • 3 - dark - strong dimming of the fluorescence
  • 4 - opaque - complete dimming of the fluorescence; i.e., there is no or almost no fluorescence

Then turn off the UV-A source, and turn on the white light source at roughly the same distance from the UV-A Detector.
Again, interpose the object under test so that the medium of interest is illuminated by the white light source, and is casting a shadow on the UV-A detector. There should be little or no fluorescence of the UV-A sensitive material since an ordinary light is being used.

Again, rate the density of the white light shadow being cast, according to this scale:
  • 0 - transparent - completely transparent to white light
  • 1 - high - slight dimming of the white light
  • 2 - moderate - moderate dimming of the white light
  • 3 - dark - strong dimming of the white light
  • 4 - opaque - complete dimming of the white light; i.e., there is no or almost no illumination visible

When repeating the test, it is important to use the same UV-A source and detector, and to keep the distances between the source and the detector the same. In addition, it is wise to put the objects under test at roughly the same point between the source and detector as reasonably possible.


Created by: shamash1248 points , Last Modification: Saturday 09 of May, 2009 11:30:17 EDT by shamash1248 points 

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