Method
Samples of Gaphchromic polymer were exposed to UV radiation via a solar simulator for six hours. During the six hours, samples were taken every ten minutes. This allows us to see a continuous rate of change in the transparency of the polymer. The longer the exposure, the more dark the polymer turned.
Sample size
The diameter of the solar simulator's concentrated light circle is 3.7 centimeters. So in order to get 36 samples, they must be very small. I cut strips of polymer to create 8 sections that were 2 millimeters wide and were cut 4 times per section totaling in 32 strips roughly 2 millimeters by 5 millimeters.
Then I cut two sections that were slightly larger, at about 4 millimeters wide. These sections were cut in half which made up the remaining four strips for a total of 36 samples.
Loading the samples
The solar simulator's beam runs horizontally along the table, and does not point downwards. A circular jig was made using a 3-D printer that allowed the samples to be sandwiched in between a piece of cardboard, and the circular jig. The jig had tabs that allowed us to use black plastic paper clips and a test tube stand to mount the samples. This allowed the beam of light to shine accurately and completely onto the sample Gaphchromic polymer, and for the easy retrieval of samples.