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New PMA2200 Radiometer/Photometer Offers Affordable, Accurate Measurements

Solar Light now offers an economical hand-held meter with the same accuracy and convenience as the PMA2100. The reduced price and ease of use of the new radiometer/photometer make it especially suitable for industrial and commercial applications. Features include a 2-line anti-glare LCD display for easy monitoring. The keypad on the front allows convenient operation of all functions. The single detector input accepts any PMA series detector with up to 4 analog signals. The new PMA2200 can be used with the current line of detectors available for the PMA2100 or the new PMA23xx series detectors. Detectors include models for use in labs, field, underwater operations, day and night vision detectors, and temperature and humidity probes. The PMA23xx series detectors have higher dynamic range and optional data logging capability. The PMA2200 monitors dose accumulation, tracks minimum/maximum detector values, displays average of reading from detectors, and handles all units conversions. The meter is detector programmable, accepting the configuration from the attached detector. For literature about the new PMA2200, please contact Solar Light or visit our website.

PMA2180 Detector Features Customized Filters

Solar Light has added a new model to its line of detectors. For customers who have unusual or very stringent requirements not satisfied by Solar Light’s PMA detector product line, a customized detector can be ordered. The detector will have customer-selected wavelength and bandwidth. The PMA2180 can be configured with stock bandpass filters. The bandwidths range from 10nm to 70nm with the peak transmittance ranging from 250 to 1100nm. The out-of-band rejection is typically 10-4. Other configurations are available with long wave pass filters with custom wavelengths that start at 400nm and range up to 1100nm. For example, in model PMA2180-254-10, the PMA2180 is the detector base with a peak wavelength of 254nm and a bandwidth of 10nm. Customers may also order the base model of the PMA2180 detector and supply their own filters. If you have a requirement for a custom narrow or wide bandwidth detector, please contact our Sales Department at 215-517-8700.

Annual Microtops Calibration Event Takes Place on Mauna Loa or “the Great Adventure”

Solar Light performs laboratory exposure of samples provided by customers. Samples with UV and/or visible light can be tested for degradation or protection using a combination of solar simulators and scientific grade detectors. This controlled method produces accelerated results with testing times accomplished in days instead of weeks or months of variable sun exposure. The testing process is designed to meet customer requirements. Once the type of light (UV, visible, etc.) and the effective exposure time (2 months, 5 years, etc.) is known, Solar Light creates a light source that suits the request. The next step is to determine exposure time to equal sun exposure. During the testing procedure, the output is continuously monitored by the PMA2100 Dose Control System which accurately accumulates the dose the sample is receiving. Solar Light has over 30 years experience in materials testing. All regimens are calibrated using NIST traceable standards. Their range of expertise includes testing paints and coatings for durability and color fading, textile color fastness, UV transmission, SPF factor, degradation in plastics, UV effects on cosmetics and personal care products, shelf life of pharmaceuticals, and curing of UV-activated adhesives. For more information on materials testing, contact us for a brochure on Testing and Calibration Services. Or send a sample and a description of the testing regimen you want and Solar Light will contact you with an estimate.

In late October Dan Berger went to the mountain. A mountain that, on occasion, may come to you with molten lava, if only you wait. Not wishing to wait and wanting to take advantage of this unique volcano while semi-quiescent, he traveled to Mauna Loa with 30 Microtops in need of calibration. Mauna Loa is singularly suited for various meteorological measurements. NOAA has set up an extensive facility more than 2 miles above sea level. Overhead clouds are usually thin cirrus 7 miles high. You look down at thick cumulus clouds thousands of feet below. Ozone measurements are taken daily from Mauna Loa. The combination of cloudless, haze-free sky and the availability of ozone measurements allow Microtops to be calibrated. The adventure is in waiting out the cirrus covered sky that has a fairly low probability in October of clearing. But fortune smiled and gave Dan 2 clear days, the last of the week he stayed. Another part of the adventure is the slow, pre-dawn 50 mile trip from Hilo over a curving, narrow road; a road dangerous enough for the car not to be insurable. And then there is the high altitude that can cause nausea and sap energy. The adventure was a success and Dan looks back with joy at fears unrealized and calibrations made. If Pele, the God who dwells in Mauna Loa’s sacred volcano, is in accord, Solar Light will launch another expedition to the mountain again next spring to plant the truth from the sky into more Microtops so that they can read ozone thickness from any height or clime.