Today more about an experiment I have done, using a light amplification device in front of a normal visible light camera for recording reflected UV footage. This device uses a MCP (multi channel plate) with UV sensitive photocathode (approx. 190nm - 650nm), amplifies light by approx. 20-50.000 and shows the resulting image on a green phosphor screen.
Using a suitable optical system, I relayed this image to my normal, visible light camera. UV filter used was a fully IR blocked (OD6) UV transmission filter (peak at 250nm). Target was a tea candle.
Using a f3.5/50mm quartz fluorite lens and an extension tube to get higher magnification.
1) Visible / IR light recorded w/o filter on full spectrum camera:
2) UV light recorded with a (fully blocked to 1100nm) 311nm filter on full spectrum camera:
It gets rather obvious that the 311nm line is - as expected - quite intense on the visible left and right outsides of the candle, where the UV emission of the OH (hydroxyl) radicals happens.
3) UV light recorded with a (fully blocked to 1100nm) Baader-U (320-395nm) filter on full spectrum camera:
The reaction of the CH (hydrocarbon) radicals however emit UV around 385-395nm mostly on the top, which can be shown using the Baader-U UV transmitting filter (320-395nm).
I have written about this system doing still UV photography HERE.
I have done similar with a different amplified camera system before
which did not allow to have an external camera attached, with just a TV
output HERE
Stay tuned, more will follow on that fascinating subject...
More info on this very interesting field may be found on my site http://www.pbase.com/kds315/uv_photos
