| UV light systems provide ultraviolet (UV) light for | | | | processing. Spot or wand systems are benchtop units |
| curing, material identification, forensic location, | | | | that provide a UV beam with a small spot size for |
| disinfection and material processing applications. Some | | | | selective curing applications. Wall or ceiling mounted |
| UV light systems use ultraviolet radiation to initiate | | | | UV systems disinfect an air stream as UV light |
| chemical reactions and cure adhesives, coatings, and | | | | irradiates the air circulating through the room. HVAC |
| resins. Others use the fluorescent response of | | | | or duct-mounted systems are also available. |
| chemicals, water tracers, markers or inks, minerals | | | | UV light systems produce ultraviolet radiation falling |
| and biological specimens to identify the presence of | | | | into one to three UV bands: UVA, UVB and UVC. |
| specific material types. For example, forensic | | | | UVA is the near or long wave UV band (~315 to 400 |
| scientists use UV light systems to locate and identify | | | | nm). Also known as black light, UVA makes certain |
| materials or trace chemicals in arson accelerants or | | | | pigments fluoresce. UVA has little effect on |
| tagging dyes. UV light is also an essential tool in | | | | pathogens and no effect on human tissue. UVB is the |
| thin-layer chromatography (TLC), a process that | | | | middle UV band (~280 to 315 nm). It inactivates a |
| chemists use to identify the components in a mixture. | | | | moderate amount of pathogens, but is not as |
| Medical, pharmaceutical, and public health personnel | | | | effective as UVC in destroying bacteria. Prolonged |
| use UV disinfection systems and ultraviolet germicidal | | | | exposure to UVB results in blistering of the skin and |
| irradiation (UVGI) to sanitize air, water, and | | | | cornea damage. UVC is the germicidal or short wave |
| transparent materials or surfaces. UV light systems | | | | UV band (~200 to 280 nm). When used correctly, |
| are also used in specialized or proprietary applications. | | | | UVC or UVGI inactivates pathogens by destroying |
| UV light systems are available in a variety of | | | | their DNA and RNA, rendering the microbes impotent. |
| configurations. Curing chambers consist of a power | | | | The ideal wavelength for eradicating pathogens is |
| supply, light source and enclosure or chamber that | | | | 253.7 nm. Some UV light systems also produce visible |
| provides a work surface and shields the operator | | | | or UV-visible light in the blue green region (~395 to |
| from radiation. UV conveyors or continuous systems | | | | 455 nm). Visible light is useful for adhesives with dual |
| consist of a belt conveying unit, power supply and | | | | UV/visible cure capability. Products that produce |
| UV light source, as well as an enclosure that is open | | | | ultraviolet light falling into the vacuum UV (VUV) band |
| on both ends, which allows products or sheets to | | | | (100 to 200 nm) are also available. |
| pass through the system. Hand held or portable UV | | | | Selecting UV light systems requires an analysis of |
| devices are useful for repair and testing in field, | | | | lamp output power, lamp intensity, and product |
| laboratory, plant floor, and other settings where | | | | features. Some devices can be programmed or have |
| transportation of large systems is impractical. Flood or | | | | a computer interface for programming, control or |
| focused UV sources or modules are also integrated in | | | | data acquisition. Others have integral or optional |
| production lines. Process or line mounted UV systems | | | | filters, meters or timers, and can feed multiple wands. |
| include a power supply, light source and flange, | | | | Specialized equipment can expose a product or |
| cartridge mounting or fitting, web system, coating | | | | material to light from multiple directions. Pulsed UV |
| line, and conveyor lines or tanks that transport | | | | light systems and products that use light emitting |
| chemicals, plastic film, or other transparent media for | | | | diodes (LEDs) as a light source are also available. |