I'v received a lot of e-mails from starters who have problems to get a bright image or image at all when using laser-pointers or other kind of diode-lasers. I'm sure about that One of the reason why is because of the New wavelength we are using. When using HeNe's there is no problems because of that the film/plate is sensitive especially for the 632,8nm. The problems are showing up when using the diodes. I'v tryed a lot of diode-lasers, the same as Frank DeFreitas and there will be no image at all or very week images if we do not use the very useful preswelling stuff called TEA (=Triethanolomine). Since I'm not an expert I have tryed out different strength of this stuff. My experience are when using lasers at 640nm-660nm: preswell the holographic plates in a 5%, 7,5% or 10% TEA for 1min. and let it dry appr. One hour before use. If you want to change the colour of the hologram you have to change the strength of the TEA and try again. The only one I have problems with is the technics to squegee the plates after TEA bath to avoid streaks. Hope someone have a good idea about this problem.
nickhardy@ukonline.co.uk - Tue, Jan 25, 00 07:59:37 PM
Ronny,
Use rollers. I use an old laminating machine. Make sure both rollers are
driven or you'll get slippage.
Maybe a hand held roller would also work, have not tried this myself though
Nick 212.134.26.100
Alan Edwards (ale@cisco.com) - Wed, Jan 26, 00 07:06:36 PM
What if you add a few drops of PhotoFlo to the TEA solution.
Would that eliminate the streaking? (Are the chemicals compatible?)
If you squegee, you risk damaging the emulsion, right? 171.71.107.131
Eric - Wed, Jan 26, 00 07:21:13 PM
I've used TEA with photophlo, didn't seem to affect it at all. However, I usually have to clean off the non-emulsion side of the plate/film with windex because the TEA beads up and won't squeege off. I haven't had any problems with damaging the emulsion by squeegeing. You just have to let the plate dry a while and you will get no color streaks. (about an hour) 207.225.103.127
Ronny Andreassen - Thu, Jan 27, 00 04:36:54 PM
Thanks a lot to all of you. In the last few months I'v used Rollers with greate sucess, and I'm allso using PhotoFlo. All the best to all of you, from an Norwegian. 130.67.15.246
freejac - Sun, May 14, 00 01:32:46 AM
Try using an air knife, works wonders and no chance of damaging the emulsion... I made mine in our machine shop at work,
maybe ill post a machine drawing for those interested in making their own. 216.78.85.186
Joe Farina - Sun, May 14, 00 02:14:11 PM
Your air knife is most interesting, and I would certainly like to know more about it. I can also be reached at: jfarina@triton.net 209.172.21.197
Ronny Andreassen - Mon, May 15, 00 09:27:42 AM
Air knife sound very interesting freejac. If it's possible I want a machine drawing from U. please e-mail me: nfp3167@privat.cybercity.no and I'll give U my fax# 130.67.15.246