Why Measure?

Copyright

Credits

Disclaimer

RADTECH.ORG

Contact RadTech

UV Exposure: Irradiance, Spectral Distribution and Energy

There are four key factors of UV exposure that affect the curing and the consequent performance of the UV curable material. Simply stated, these are the minimum exposure parameters that are required to sufficiently define the process:

(A non-contacting optical thermometer is recommended for surface temperature measurement). (For more on temperature measurements, see “Temperature Measurements Under UV Lamps”.

Irradiance data must always include identification of the wavelength range to which it applies. This is one of the most common omissions in radiometry. When irradiance is measured in any specific range of wavelengths, it is called "effective irradiance". When this wavelength range is clearly understood, the term "irradiance" is sufficient. ("Intensity" is not a technically defined term, but is commonly but improperly used to mean irradiance). Peak irradiance has a distinct effect and benefit on speed and depth of cure. Irradiance levels in 3-D curing are typically much lower than in flat linear curing. 


UV Effective Energy is sometimes loosely (but incorrectly) referred to as "dose," For an exposure in which irradiance is not constant, such as rising then falling, it is the time-integral of irradiance. This is the total UV energy to which a surface is exposed as it travels past a lamp or a sequence of lamps. Effective energy density incorporates irradiance profile, the wavelength range of interest (λ12) and time:

As with irradiance, when the wavelength range is clearly stated, and it is clear that the meaning is "per unit area," this term can be simply abbreviated as "energy."

Information about irradiance or of the entire exposure profile is important to the design. The fact that different irradiance profiles can produce different physical properties in most UV-curable materials is the reason that profile information is needed in the process design stage. The exposure profile is characteristic of any lamp design and, in multi-lamp 3-D applications, the lamp positioning and organization.

A measurement of total UV energy is a composite of irradiance profile and velocity, but information about neither irradiance, profile, nor time can be extracted from it. Consequently, data on energy alone is less important to design, but can be useful in monitoring or control.