Time Rates refer to how fast time moves as a multiple of standard time rate.

Time Factors refer to how slow time moves verses a standard time rate.

Since the vast majority of the timing differences are slower than the standard time rate of SID (TF = 1.0) I use Time Factors not rates to describe the differences.

Rauber does use Time Rates as well as Time Factors to describe the different relationships. Since most Time Rates for the Spectrums used are less than 1.0, using Time Rates, rather than Time Factors, would result in mostly decimal or percentage type numbers that I believe would be too much overload for most readers. (I think we should limit the conversation to Factors to avoid confusion. Yes, I'm actually trying to avoid confusion!)

Bandwidth is the spread out of individual cell's genetic clock's positions (readings) resulting from the changes in the spectrum as it travels through the leaves (canopy). Some bandwidth is natural, but it can be increased and decreased as desired to achieve a desired effect.

At the moment Mother and Dog are using methods with a fair amount of bandwidth, which allows for easier timer dial in, since it's easier to sense when nearing a desired target schedule.

Reducing Bandwidth increases the level of specific responce, but allows for less error up and down on the numbers and changes in timing can be more pronounced, good or bad. Being more accurate you can miss entirely, which is good if you want miss one while hitting the other.

SOD (Standard Outdoor Darkness) spectrumS (plural) have Time FactorS (plural) from about 0.8 to 1.0 depending on how you define the beginning and ending of Darkness on an outdoor schedule. Which is why SID (Standard Indoor Darkness) with it's single Time Factor is used as a standard.

To re-answer HeadShakes question on where these come from - originally I thought that I had discovered the Time Factor of 660nm LEDs by trial and error measurements that took 3 months to narrow down (got three months to detect and measure a number, using 3 day timers), but I defer to Rauber's original work from 1992 where he defined similar data for various spectrums, in addition to defining other relevent dynamics in C-3 vascular plants. In short, for SDP (Short Day Plants) the Time Factors (and/or Time Rates) come from lengthly subject comparisons of 12/12 control plant photoperiodic responces compared to test plant responces to various spectrum and time combinations.

And if you head doesn't hurt enough, to calculate the affects (root production) of Blue "Daylight" hours (real time), we will discuss PAL (Photosynthetic Artificial Light) Time Factors and of course total daily gene time (gene ticks - ticks). (tick tick tick tick...)

Eventually the entire schedule is ballanced/combined and totalled as a whole to consider it's whole affect/effect.

Take care, Sal.
salmayo Reviewed by salmayo on . Second Martian Method attempt This thread is my second attempt at using the "Martian Method" or "Artificial Darkness" lighting technique developed by SalMayo and associates. For full disclosures and disclaimers, see my first attempt: http://boards.cannabis.com/grow-log/165934-first-attempt-24-hour-martian-method.html#post1945600 but to summarize: I didn't invent this lighting technique nor do I claim to fully understand it. I'm just testing it to see for myself what it can do. This time I'm going with one Heavy Duty Rating: 5