Ultraviolet (UV)
Light Meters
General Information
Ultraviolet rays form a part of the invisible
radiation which border on the visible light spectrum.
Ultraviolet
starts beyond violet where detection by the human eye ends. Ultraviolet radiation is
of the same kind as visible light radiation but is located at shorter wavelengths.
That is to say that is has faster vibrations which produce a high energy potential.
Ultraviolet radiation has particular physical and chemical
characteristics which are the origin of phenomena such as: Luminescence, Fluorescence,
Phosphorescence, Sterilization.
Luminescence:
emission of light produced by the absorption of short wave radiation (such as
Ultraviolet).
Fluorescence:
emission of light produced by certain substance when excited by Ultraviolet energy.
This emission ends when UV source is removed.
Phosphorescence:
emission of light which continues after the exciting source is removed.
Germicidal:
sterilization action of short wave Ultraviolet light on micro-organisms.
BL (Black Light) :
lamp producing 365NM UV light with visible light.
BLB (Black Light
Blue): lamp producing 365 nm UV light without visible light. This type of long
wave 365 nm UV light is commonly called "Black light" or "Wood's
light".
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Short wave
(254nm = UV-C)
The short wave band or UV-C runs from 180 to 280nm with a peak at 254nm. The
radiation of the C region has a high bactericidal power and is dangerous for eyes
and skin.
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Medium wave
(312nm = UV-B)
The medium wave band or UV-B runs from 280 to 320nm with a peak at 312nm. It is
characterized by power to cause erythema and sunburn.
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Long wave
(365nm = UV-A)
The UV-A long wave band runs from 320 to 380nm with a peak at 365nm. The long wave
emission is commonly called "Black light" or "Wood's light".
Long waves pigment the skin but do not cause erythema.
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