Using Ultraviolet Lab Equipment

Ultraviolet lab equipment , such as lamps, viewing cabinets,transilluminators, imaging systems, and radiometers, are versatile instruments in the laboratory. Ultraviolet light (UV) is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that is adjacent to and greater in energy than visible light. The ultraviolet spectrum extends from 180 to 400 nm and is divided into three general categories: shortwave, midrange, and longwave.

Short/Long-Wave UV Lamp

Shortwave UV light extends from 180 to 280 nm with a peak in energy at about 254 nm. This UV light can detect altered documents and counterfeit currency, provide forensics field testing, detect mercury, sterilize, analyze pesticides, and more. 

Midrange UV light extends from 280 to 320 nm with a peak in energy at about 302 nm. Midrange UV light is used for optical alignment, solar experimentation, UV curing, mineralogy, and more.

Longwave UV light, also called "black light" or "wood light," extends from 320 to 380 nm with a peak in energy at about 365 nm. Longwave UV light is used in applications such as bacterial identification, electrophoresis, fluorochemistry, rodent contamination and lice detection, food contamination detection, E-coli water testing, and much more.

When working with UV equipment, always remember to use the correct protective gear and make special precautions. 

Common UV Terms

Fluorescence: emission of light produced by certain substances when excited by ultraviolet energy. The emission ends when UV source is removed.

Germicidal: sterilization action of short wave ultraviolet light. UV light, in the range of 254 nm, penetrates the cell membrane of living cells and disrupts the DNA molecules, preventing cell replication. 

Luminescence: emission of light produced by the absorption of short wave radiation (such as ultraviolet).

Phosphorescence: emission of light which continues after the excitation source is removed.