Each light source includes an arc lamp, appropriate socket adapter, lamp housing interconnection cable, power supply, and Research Lamp Housing. After a quick and easy assembly, the light source is ready for use and easily integrated into a user's setup. The lamp housings offered with these light source kits are capable of operating a variety of DC arc lamps. This allows the user to interchange lamps in their setup simply by replacing the lamp, socket adapter, and lamp housing interconnection cable (if necessary) in their lamp housing. It is recommended to confirm lamp compatibility prior to purchase.

Due to small manufacturing differences between lamps, the rear reflector position and lamp position relative to the condenser lens must be adjusted when a new lamp is installed in the housing. Adjustment knobs located on the exterior of the lamp housing allow for optimum positioning of the lamp and rear reflector.

Mercury arc lamps are ideal light sources for applications that require high intensity spectral lines emitted in the deep UV to visible light regions. Their unique UV emission spectra make them popular for unique applications that need enhanced UV output such as UV spectroscopy, UV curing and other industrial processes, and environmental and medical applications. The 50 W Hg lamp is offered as an option with these kits. Mercury lamps produce UV radiation and ozone. In addition to wearing protecting clothing, eyewear, and gloves to protect from UV radiation, the lamp should also be operated in an environment with proper ventilation or outdoors to avoid exposure to ozone. If this operating environment is not possible, an Ozone Eater should be used.

All Oriel Research Arc Lamp Housings include a built-in ignitor board and rear reflector for optimum lamp performance. The rear reflector collects backscattering from the lamp that would otherwise be lost and approximately increases the output intensity by 60%. A built-in cooling fan maintains a safe operating temperature for the lamp. The user is protected from accidental exposure to UV radiation and electrical shock by the lamp housing's safety interlock, which disables ignition and power to the lamp if the housing door or lamp housing interconnection cable is not securely connected. These four lamp housing options differ in the condenser lens assembly mounted. Condenser lens assemblies differ in the type of lens used and F/#.

The  power supply provided with these light sources is a highly regulated power supply. Much of an arc lamp's stability in wavelength and output intensity is due to keeping the temperature and pressure of the gas inside the lamp's envelope as constant possible. The 69907 power supply provides highly stable voltage and current supply to the arc lamp, keeping the arc lamp's ripple to less than 0.5% rms while maximizing the lifetime of the lamp

Arc lamps may emit dangerous levels of UV radiation depending on their source type. Ensure that only authorized personnel are in the vicinity of the source, and wearing the necessary safety equipment such as UV protective eyewear, clothing, and gloves. Lighted UV warning signs, posted outside laboratory doors where UV sources are operating, can prevent accidental exposure. Newport also recommends using an electronic shutter to block the beam when the source is not in use but remains turned on. Alternatively, the beam can be safely contained by using beam tubes or fiber optic cables to deliver the light to a sample. It is recommended to vent the ozone that is produced by some lamp models to the outside or use the