How long does the infrared lamp last?
This is a difficult question to answer, as the infrared source is a solid-state photo diode that provides incredible performance. To try and put a value on the lifetime, we first started supplying the AMS (predecessor to the Microdust pro) in 1989, which used the same diode and none of these have ever been returned due to lamp failure. We would estimate an MTBF of 15-20 years. Obviously the source strength of the diode will deteriorate over time, although periodic zero and span calibration, which effectively corrects the offset and multiplier values, correct this.
