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