RLG DigiNews

Home

Technical Feature Errata:

Following publication, the author requested several small changes in paragraphs 2, 6 and 7 in order to better clarify the information provided. The original paragraphs, as published on October 15, 1998, appear below.

Paragraph 2
Scanning an image on a flatbed scanner involves passing a sensing array (Charged Couple Device, CCD) along an object resting face down on a glass platen. The array has a light source attached. Today these sources are usually of the cold-cathode type (1) because of their color characteristics and cooler operating temperature. The method is similar to that of a photocopy machine. This has caused a misinterpretation of the scanning process. Until recently, copy machines used very strong light to produce an image on a relatively insensitive zinc sulfide coated drum, which resulted in toner being deposited onto paper. The amount of light needed was dictated by the low sensitivity of zinc sulfide on the copy transfer drum. Today's CCDs have sensitivities between 0.1 and 0.001 lux. (2) This means that a CCD does not need blazingly bright light to achieve its goal. Scanner lamps have evolved for a technology with greater light sensitivity.

Paragraph 6
Category 1 includes sensitive artworks whose members show just perceptible damage, 0.01 Deltad, at 1.2 Mlx-hrs. This category would include early albumen prints, most color photographs, Polaroid images, some watercolors, pastel or ink drawings, works on newsprint, and a range of other non-paper artworks.

Paragraph 7
Category 2 artworks are expected to sustain 10 Mlx-hrs of exposure before showing just perceptible change due to non-UV light exposure. Category 2 contains low stability paper-based materials, B&W gelatin prints, and most slides. I would also include black printers-ink engravings/etchings on average paper and documents printed earlier than the 1850s with carbon ink on average paper.

Back to Technical Feature article

Contents Search Home

Trademarks, Copyright, & Permissions