How to Use JD-4

Holography Developer and Processing Kit

The instructions below are based on articles written by

Tung. H. Jeong, Riley Aumiller, Raymond Ro, and Jeff Blyth

JD-4 HOLOGRAPHY PROCESSING KIT

The JD-4 holography developer and processing kit provides all the chemicals needed for making holograms using Slavich PFG-03M or ColourHolographics "BB" holographic emulsions (for PFG-01 and VRP emulsions, use JD-2). Simply mix the dry chemicals in the JD-4 kit with water to create the developer components and bleach solution. This article explains step-by-step how to do this and use the JD-4 holography processing kit to make holograms.

Important Notice

The following instructions for using the JD-4 holography processing kit have been modified from the actual instructions found in each package of JD-4. Instructions provided in this article are for your convenience only. For your safety and thorough understanding of JD-4, you should rely on the instructions and chemical safety notices that come inside each package of JD-4. Download .pdf file now (92KB).

Like many common household cleaners, JD-4 contains chemicals and should be treated with respect. Please read all the warning labels on each package. It is good practice to use eye goggles, dust mask, apron and rubber gloves when mixing chemicals. While the chemical solutions have low volatility, working in a ventilated area is recommended. You can download a copy of the MSDS for JD-4 holography processing kit from this website.

MIXING THE STOCK SOLUTIONS

The chemicals in this JD-4 kit are used to prepare approximately 1000ml of each of three solutions. You will need to add de-ionized or distilled water, which can be purchased at your local grocery store. It is best to use distilled water that contains no other chemicals although distilled drinking water, which sometimes contains small but negligible amounts of other chemicals, can also be used. Water from your tap generally contains fluoride and other impurities that may reduce the quality of your hologram. For efficiency and safety, teachers or an adult should pre-mix the solutions.

Part A Solution (1000ml)

	CHEMICAL	AMOUNT
	Metol or Elon (p-Methylaminophenol sulfate)	4 grams
	Ascorbic Acid (powder)	25 grams
	ADD Distilled water	1000 ml

Part B Solution (1000ml)

	CHEMICAL	AMOUNT
	Sodium Carbonate, Anhydrous	70 grams
	Sodium Hydroxide	15 grams
	ADD Distilled water	1000 ml

Bleach Solution (1000ml)

	CHEMICAL	AMOUNT
	Copper Sulfate, Pentahydrate	35 grams
	Potassium Bromide	100 grams
	Sodium Bisulfate, Monohydrate	5 grams
	ADD Distilled water	1000 ml

Use three 1 liter (or larger) size clean glass or plastic bottles with leak-proof caps. Label them Part A, Part B, and Bleach respectively. To help dissolve the chemicals, you can heat the water until it is luke warm. Optionally, you can also prepare each solution in a clean beaker and then pour the solution into the bottle.

PART A. Fill the bottle marked Part A with roughly 1000 ml of warm distilled water. Dissolve the metol in it. Then add the ascorbic acid. Tightly cap the bottle. Part A will oxidize if it is exposed to oxygen. In time (over a few weeks to a few months), the solution may turn yellow due to the oxidation of the ascorbic acid – the solution is still usable. Once the solution turns dark brown, the potency is lost and it must be discarded.

Holography Tip

To extend the shelf life of Part A, protect it from oxidation. To do so, subdivide the solution into smaller bottles so that the unused portions are in full-capped bottles, with little or no air space. For example, try preparing two 500ml bottles for Part A instead of one 1000ml bottle. Refrigeration also slows down oxidation. Do not refrigerate Part A with food to avoid possible mistaken identity as food. When stored appropriately, Part A can last for months.

Note that once solutions A and B are mixed together, the resulting developer solutions lasts only several hours. So, don't mix A and B together until you are ready to make holograms.

PART B. Follow a similar procedure to mix Part B, dissolving each chemical one-by-one. You can add the sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide in any order. This solution will keep for many months at room temperature. Refrigeration further increases its shelf-life.

BLEACH. Follow a similar procedure to mix the Bleach; again, dissolving each chemical one-by-one. This solution has a long shelf life without oxidation issues. Store it in a safe place away from food and children. This solution will keep for many months at room temperature and does not need refrigeration.

Store chemicals in a safe place away from food and children.

HOLOGRAM EXPOSURE

For detailed instructions on making holograms, please see our article “Simple Holography”. Before making your exposures, you should mix and prepare your chemicals as follows.

PREPARATION

Have the following items on hand:

Your pre-mixed JD-4 Part A, Part B and Bleach Solution.

1 additional gallon (4 liters) of distilled or de-ionized water for best results. Tap water may also work, but not as well. Avoid hard water.

2 small glass or plastic trays, just large enough so that the hologram you are making can be submerged in a horizontal position.

2 large glass or plastic trays to hold 1 liter of distilled water for rinsing. Tap water may also work.

1 large tray (optional, but recommended) to hold 1 liter of distilled water mixed with about 1 ml of photographic wetting agent such as PhotoFlo. You can also use a small tray with less wetting agent, but you should replace the solution after a few holograms.

1 rubber glove

Now label one small tray as Developer A&B. Then, mix equal portions of Part A and Part B, enough so that the hologram to be developed can be totally submerged. Once mixed, the combined A&B solution can be used to develop several holograms, and lasts several hours.

Next to the developer tray place a large tray with one liter of distilled water. This will be used as a rinse.

Next, label another small tray as Bleach. Put enough bleach into it so that the hologram can be totally submerged.

Next to the bleach place another large tray with one liter of distilled water. This will be used as a rinse.

Optionally, place a large tray with the wetting solution in 1 liter of distilled water. Using a wetting solution is optional but recommended. It allows the hologram to dry evenly, thus helping you prevent smudges or streaks.

Check the order of the trays: developer A&B, rinse, bleach, rinse, wetting solution.

Presoak

Developer

A&B

Rinse

Bleach

Rinse

Wetting

Solution

PROCESSING PROCEDURES

After the holographic plate is exposed, hold it by the edges with your glove hand (or tongs). Keep the emulsion (sticky) side facing upwards to protect the emulsion from accidentally scraping the bottom of your developer tray. Holographic plates should be developed at room temperature.

1. Presoak:

Presoak the exposed holographic film plate in distilled water for 10-20 seconds.

2. Develop:

Quickly submerge the plate into the developer so that all parts get wet evenly. Slush it around for about 10 seconds. The hologram should turn almost black.

3. Rinse:

Rinse the developed hologram with agitation for at least 20 seconds. For best results and longer lasting holograms, rinse up to 3 minutes to make help ensure that all of Part A has been rinsed off.

4. Bleach:

Place the rinsed hologram into the bleaching solution; agitate it until the plate is completely clear (this may take up to 1 minute); bleach for another 10 seconds.

5. Rinse again:

Rinse the bleached hologram with agitation for at least 20 seconds (up to 3 minutes).

6. Finish in wetting solution:

Optionally, place the finished hologram in this solution for about 20 seconds. Then, remove the hologram to dry. For best results, avoid streaks or runs as you remove the hologram from the solution.

Holography Tip

After bleaching, the hologram is safe to process with the lights turned on. This allows you to observe if your wetting solution has been evenly distributed on the hologram and if there are any runs or streaks. Hold the holographic plate from the sides to avoid potential dripping of solution from your fingers down the hologram.

The hologram is finished except for drying. A good way to dry the hologram is to stand it against a vertical surface with the bottom edge resting on a hand-towel or tissue paper. Best results are obtained when it dries naturally in clean, dust-free air. However, if time is limited, the hologram can be quick-dried by holding it vertically and blowing warm air across it with a hair dryer.

For a reflection hologram, the image can be viewed after thorough drying, using the laser light that exposed it or an incandescent spotlight. Thorough drying may take minutes to hours, depending on ambient conditions and technique. Transmission holograms, on the other hand, can be viewed with laser light even when wet.

STORING HOLOGRAPHIC EMULSIONS AND DEVELOPER

To extend their shelf life, unexposed holographic plates and prepared JD-4 developer solutions can be stored in a refrigerator when not in use. The container of unexposed holographic plates should be sealed with duct or electrical tape so that no moisture can seep in. Plates should be allowed to reach room temperature before opening in order to prevent condensation. Keep away from children and food. Always label packages clearly as poisonous materials not to be consumed.

04-1027