Principle of operation
– Deuterium lamp uses a tungsten filament and anode
– Arc is created from the filament to the anode
– Firing voltages are 300 to 500 volts
– Molecular emission process causes the effect
Deuterium lamp spectra
– Emits radiation from 112nm to 900nm
– Continuous spectrum is from 180nm to 370nm
– Spectrum intensity does not decrease from 250nm to 200nm
– Decrease in plot is due to decreased efficiency of the photo detector
– Useful as a reference in UV radiometric work
Safety
– Eye protection is suggested due to high intensity of UV radiation
– Avoid touching the bulb directly to avoid burns
– Touching the bulb could deposit impurities onto the casing
– Impurities reduce output intensity
– Care must be taken to handle the lamp safely
Lifespan
– Typical lifetime of a deuterium lamp is approximately 2000 hours
– Some newer lamps perform well at 5000 hours and more
– Manufacturers guarantee 2000 hours
– Lifespan may vary depending on usage and conditions
– Proper maintenance can extend the lifespan of the lamp
References
– Deuterium Lamps (PDF). Photron Pty Ltd. 2011-10-20.
– Paper on UV analysis which describes deuterium lamp advantage
– Deuterium Lamps. Photron Pty Ltd. 2011-10-20.
– Retrieved 2011-10-20. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deuterium_arc_lamp
A deuterium arc lamp (or simply deuterium lamp) is a low-pressure gas-discharge light source often used in spectroscopy when a continuous spectrum in the ultraviolet region is needed.
Plasma "arc" or discharge lamps using hydrogen are notable for their high output in the ultraviolet, with comparatively little output in the visible and infrared. This is similar to the situation in a hydrogen flame. Arc lamps made with ordinary light-hydrogen (hydrogen-1) provide a very similar UV spectrum to deuterium, and have been used in UV spectroscopes. However, lamps using deuterium have a longer life span and an emissivity (intensity) at the far end of their UV range which is three to five times that of an ordinary hydrogen arc bulb, at the same temperature. Deuterium arc lamps, therefore, despite being several times more expensive, are considered a superior light source to light-hydrogen arc lamps, for the shortwave UV range.