26-04-2016, 08:50
I've followed this thread for some time and greatly enjoyed the ideas.
I would like to address my first post to the above discussion regarding UV sensors and diffusers; AllyCat is correct in his assessment of the amount of information relating to the optical properties of white PTFE(Teflon (Dupont trademark)). In my business we machine and manufacture components for a weather instrument company and a few years ago they requested that I do some research on the optical properties of white PTFE which we already manufactured for use in their UV/daylight sensor. After many phone calls to suppliers and 2 days on the internet following every lead, the result was dismal- the only possible that looked promising was a research paper which I had to pay for before viewing- an oblique reference to optical properties only.
There is plenty of information for the transparent kind for obvious reasons but none for the white kind for the simple fact that it is not normally used for its optical qualities.
A helpful paper on various aspects of light measurement instrument design, including cosine measurement with PTFE diffusers, can be found at this address;" citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.271.4353 "
(this paper may be mentioned elsewhere in this forum) Whilst this paper is not specifically for UV, much of it is relevant.
For those wanting to experiment with clear hard covers (and their attendant high reflectivity at low angles of incidence), I've purchased several (UV transparent) fused silica discs for a related project from an eBay store called "BJOMEJAG EBUYER STORE" -the discs are not sold on his site specifically but if you open any filter listing and send a message, he should reply with an offer for that filter with the price for the disc.
All the best,
Peter.
I would like to address my first post to the above discussion regarding UV sensors and diffusers; AllyCat is correct in his assessment of the amount of information relating to the optical properties of white PTFE(Teflon (Dupont trademark)). In my business we machine and manufacture components for a weather instrument company and a few years ago they requested that I do some research on the optical properties of white PTFE which we already manufactured for use in their UV/daylight sensor. After many phone calls to suppliers and 2 days on the internet following every lead, the result was dismal- the only possible that looked promising was a research paper which I had to pay for before viewing- an oblique reference to optical properties only.
There is plenty of information for the transparent kind for obvious reasons but none for the white kind for the simple fact that it is not normally used for its optical qualities.
A helpful paper on various aspects of light measurement instrument design, including cosine measurement with PTFE diffusers, can be found at this address;" citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.271.4353 "
(this paper may be mentioned elsewhere in this forum) Whilst this paper is not specifically for UV, much of it is relevant.
For those wanting to experiment with clear hard covers (and their attendant high reflectivity at low angles of incidence), I've purchased several (UV transparent) fused silica discs for a related project from an eBay store called "BJOMEJAG EBUYER STORE" -the discs are not sold on his site specifically but if you open any filter listing and send a message, he should reply with an offer for that filter with the price for the disc.
All the best,
Peter.