Choosing The Correct Xenon Bulb: Ozone Free Or Ozone Generating?

The Xe900 450W continuous xenon arc lamp can be operated with ozone free and ozone generating light bulbs. If the Xe900 is fitted with an ozone generating bulb, measures must be taken to extract the harmful ozone generated during operation of the lamp. A duct coupling that is fitted to the upper part of the xenon lamp housing can be supplied for this purpose.

Ozone is generated when oxygen is optically excited by light with wavelengths less than 190nm. Ozone generating xenon bulbs are manufactured with synthetic quartz envelopes that transmit light with low wavelengths and therefore ozone is generated in the surrounding air. Ozone free xenon bulbs are made from other UV-transmitting glasses that are specially made to cut off (absorb) light below 200nm to avoid ozone generation. However, the cut-off is not sharp; there is some absorption to about 260nm, thus reducing the amount of UV light available for sample excitation.

Edinburgh Photonics supply the ozone-free bulb as standard with the Xe900 450W continuous xenon arc lamp, however for customers who require lower excitation wavelengths ozone generating bulbs are available.