Paper A–4: Millimicrosecond Light Source

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Publisher: SMPTE — White Plains, NY, USA
Doc Type: Journal Article
Content Type: Original Research
Abbreviated Title: J SMPTE
Volume: 71, No. 1A, pp. 13–16
Abstract: Short light pulses in the millimicrosecond (mμsec) range have been reported recently by a number of authors, but the intensities were exceedingly small and barely adequate for technical applications. An open-air microsecond light source has been based on a coaxial capacitor discharge of minimum inductance, and greatly increased brightness has resulted. Minimum inductance means maximum energy input into the gap at the shortest pulse length. As a result of this consideration, some time ago a toroidal capacitor was developed to surround the gap coaxially, and a simple sub-microsecond light source applying this geometry was described. (Heinz Fischer, J. Opt. Soc. Am., 47: 981, 1957). In the meantime, by careful design and improved technology, the inductance could be reduced close to its absolute possible minimum, approximately one millimicrohenry. Light pulses with a 2-mμsec rise time and a half-width of ∼ 6 mμsec are produced; the brightness exceeded 10 million candles/sq cm. Intensities of over 20,000 candles are measured. The methods of measurement are described. The relationship between the arc current and the brightness is established over a wide range of pulse widths and the shape of the light pulse is studied. Spectral measurements in 1 atm of air confirm that the spectrum is continuous between 6000 and 2000 A during the time of the current maximum — the intensity increasing strongly in the ultraviolet. Single-shot exposures of objects, f/1.5 lens, Tri-X Film and normal development show marginal density in reflected light at 30-cm distance; in transparence, the picture is adequate. Backlighted pictures taken through an f/8 lens, 50-cm focal length, show a maximum photographic density of D > 0.8 against a background of ∼ 0.35; the maximum density is beyond the background by an intensity factor of 16.
Publication Date: 1962-01-01
DOI: 10.5594/J18061
ISSN: Print: 0361-4573
Link: https://doi.org/10.5594/J18061
Author(s): Heinz FischerAir Force Cambridge Research Laboratories, Office of Aerospace Research, Laurence G. Hanscom Field, Bedford, Mass.
Copyright: © 1962 Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, Inc.

Bibliographic Reference(s)

1. Malmberg F. H. , Rev. Sci. Instr. , 28 : 1027 – 1028 , 1957 . EXTERNAL
2. Edgerton H. E. , “Submicrosecond flashes of light,” Proc. 4th International Congress on High-Speed Photography, Verlag Dr. Othmar Helwich , Hoffmannstr. 59, Darmstadt, Germany , 1959 , pp. 91 – 97 . EXTERNAL
3. Whetstone A. , Rev. Sci. Instr. , 30 : 447 , 1959 . EXTERNAL
4. Kerns Q. H. Kirsten F. A. Cox G. C. , Rev. Sci. Instr. , 30 : 31 , 1959 . EXTERNAL
5. Porter G. A. Wooding E. R. , J. Sci. Instr. , 36 : 147 , 1959 . EXTERNAL
6. Elmore W. C. Sands M. , Electronics , McGraw-Hill Book Co. , 330 W. 42 St., New York 36 , 1949 , p. 139 . EXTERNAL
7. Fischer H. , AFCRC-TN-59-185, May 1959 . EXTERNAL
8. Fischer H. , “Simple submicrosecond light source with extreme brightness,” J. Opt. Soc. Am. , 47 : 981 – 984 , Nov. 1957 . EXTERNAL
9. Castle J. Webb J. H. , “Results of very short-duration exposures for several fast photographic emulsions,” Photo. Eng. , 4 : 51 – 59 , 1953 . EXTERNAL

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Heinz Fischer; Paper A–4: Millimicrosecond Light Source, Journal of the SMPTE ( Volume: 71, Issue: 1A, 1962); SMPTE, 1962. Available at https://doi.org/10.5594/J18061

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Heinz Fischer; Paper A–4: Millimicrosecond Light Source, Journal of the SMPTE ( Volume: 71, Issue: 1A, 1962); SMPTE, 1962. Available at https://doi.org/10.5594/J18061

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Heinz Fischer; Paper A–4: Millimicrosecond Light Source, Journal of the SMPTE ( Volume: 71, Issue: 1A, 1962); SMPTE, 1962. Available at https://doi.org/10.5594/J18061

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<span class="citation">Heinz Fischer; <cite>Paper A–4: Millimicrosecond Light Source</cite>, Journal of the SMPTE ( Volume: 71, Issue: 1A, 1962); SMPTE, 1962. Available at <a href="https://doi.org/10.5594/J18061" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://doi.org/10.5594/J18061</a></span>

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Heinz Fischer; Paper A–4: Millimicrosecond Light Source, Journal of the SMPTE ( Volume: 71, Issue: 1A, 1962); SMPTE, 1962
doi: 10.5594/J18061
url: https://doi.org/10.5594/J18061

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<li>
Heinz Fischer; <cite id="bib-10-5594-j18061">Paper A–4: Millimicrosecond Light Source</cite>, Journal of the SMPTE ( Volume: 71, Issue: 1A, 1962); SMPTE, 1962
<span class="doi">10.5594/J18061</span>
</li>