Lighting Systems For High Speed Photography Applying Special Metal Halide Discharge Lamps

Keith M. Gillum; K. H. Steuernagel

doi:10.1117/12.967797

1 March 1983 Lighting Systems For High Speed Photography Applying Special Metal Halide Discharge Lamps

Keith M. Gillum, K. H. Steuernagel

Proceedings Volume 0348, 15th Intl Congress on High Speed Photography and Photonics; (1983) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.967797
Event: 15th International Congress on High Speed Photography and Photonics, 1982, San Diego, United States

Abstract

High speed photography requires, in addition to a good color quality of the light source, a very high level of illumination. Conventional lighting systems utilizing incandescent lamps or other metal halide lamp types has inherent problems of inefficient light output or poor color quality. Heat generated by incandescent lamps and the power these sources require drive up operating and installation costs. A most economical and practical solution was devised by using the metal halide discharge lamp developed by OSRAM, GmbH of Munich, West Germany. This lamp trade marked the HMITM Metallogen® was primarily developed for the needs of the television and motion picture film industry. Due to their high efficiency and other consistent operating qualities these lamps also fulfill the needs of high speed photography, e.g. in crash test facilities, when special engineering activities are carried out. The OSRAM HMITM lamp is an AC discharge metal halide lamp with rare earth additives to increase both the efficiency and light output qualities. Since the lamp is an AC source, a special method had to be developed to overcome the strobing effect, which is normal for AC lamps given their modulated light output, when used with high speed cameras, (e.g. with >1000 fps). This method is based on an increased frequency for the lamp supply voltage coupled with a mix of the light output achieved using a multiphase mains power supply. First developed in 1977, this system using the OSRAM HMITM lamps was installed in a crash test facility of a major automotive manufacturer in West Germany. The design resulted in the best lighting and performance ever experienced. Since that time several other motor companies have made use of this breakthrough. Industrial and scientific users are now considering additional applications use of this advanced high speed lighting system.

Citation Download Citation

Keith M. Gillum and K. H. Steuernagel "Lighting Systems For High Speed Photography Applying Special Metal Halide Discharge Lamps", Proc. SPIE 0348, 15th Intl Congress on High Speed Photography and Photonics, (1 March 1983); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.967797

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