Ultra Violet Lights: Types and Applications

Ultra violet lights are designed to emit ultraviolet radiation, a form of electromagnetic radiation, with wavelengths in the ultraviolet (UV) range, which is shorter than visible light, although longer than x-rays.

What are UltraViolet Lights?

Ultra violet lights are designed to mimic ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths from the sun, which are typically divided into three basic subcategories.  UV wavelengths are measured in nanometers (nm), with the following distinctions made for the three common bands of ultra violet lighting:

• UVA –  315 to 400 nm, long-wave, not absorbed by ozone layer

• UVB –  280 to 315 nm, medium wave, 95% of UVB rays are absorbed by the ozone layer

• UVC –  100 to 280 nm, all UVC rays are absorbed by the ozone layer

Far UVC light describes ultraviolet wavelengths in the range of 200 to 230 nm, specifically 222 nm, which is gaining interest for many UVC germicidal applications.

All short-wave UVC light and about 95% of UVB rays emitted by the sun are absorbed by the ozone layer. Exposure to UVB light increases the risk of cellular damage to living organisms and is the main cause of sunburns and is thought to be the main cause of skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in the U.S.

UVB light is also, however, the main source of vitamin D to most land vertebrates, including humans. Vit D assists with bone development and helps the body absorb calcium. Ultra violet lighting can be both harmful and beneficial to life. UVB and UVA lamps are also useful for a variety of medical phototherapy applications, such as treating skin conditions, mood disorders, and other health conditions.

All UVA light from the sun reaches the earth’s surface and is the main cause of suntan and skin aging, including wrinkles. UVA damages the skin’s elastin and collagen in the skin and generates free radicals. UVA lamps are the main types of lamps used in tanning beds.

UVC Germicidal Ultra Violet Lights

Exposure to UVC light is also harmful to human skin and eyes, and UVC germicidal lamps should be used in unoccupied spaces. Far UVC lights, however, are gaining recognition as providing highly effective germicidal properties while safer for human exposure and can be used for sterilization purposes in occupied spaces.

UVC ultra violet lights are used in a wide range of germicidal applications and are proven to eliminate harmful pathogens and microbes in the air, in water, and on surfaces. UVC ultra violet lights eliminate airborne pathogens in UV air purification systems and can be used in HVAC systems, including furnaces and AC units, to prevent mold buildup and sterilize equipment as well as the air that passes through the UVC wavelengths.

UVC lamps are also used in many water sterilization systems, and UVC ultra violet lighting can even kill some harmful bacteria in water that chlorine does not kill, such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia. UVC ultra violet lamps are also used for many surface sterilization applications such as in hospitals, laboratories, restaurants, food processing, and many other residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

Ultra Violet Lighting Applications

There are many practical applications, including biological and chemical effects, derived by the way that ultra violet lighting interacts with organic molecules. UVC Ultra violet lights are used in germicidal applications but ultra violet lights perform many valuable functions to many industries.

UV lights are found in many applications and processes such as:

• Germicidal

• Tanning

• UV Curing

• Illumination

• Signs

• Backlighting

• Medical phototherapy

• Specialty purposes

Whatever purpose is planned for the use of ultra violet lighting, it is critical to use quality ultra violet lamps. Not all UV lamps are created, and consulting with an experienced UV lamp manufacturer will help to ensure that you receive the correct type of lamps for your application.

UV Lamps for All Applications

LightSources is a leading global supplier of all types of UV lamps for use in any application. We offer UVC germicidal lamps, UV lamps for tanning beds, specialty ultraviolet lights such as for aviation backlighting, far UVC lamps, UV phototherapy lamps, and many other purposes.

UV Protection Against Germs in Malls and Theaters

The global pandemic that started in 2020 created an urgency for public officials and business owners to protect people on their property and in confined spaces. While social distancing, handwashing, and mask wearing are all recommended measures to prevent the spread of disease, providing a sanitary environment where people gather is a must. Business owners increased cleaning and disinfecting measures and explored new sterilization techniques like ultraviolet (UV) light.

UV lamps designed to emit UV electromagnetic radiation in the UVC range have been used for decades to eliminate the threat of viruses, bacteria, and various harmful microorganisms. UVC germicidal lamps are used in air purification systems, water disinfection, and surface sterilization systems worldwide. Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) has been used in upper room air disinfection systems for decades and was a popular measure to protect people against tuberculosis in the 1950s.

UV Germicidal Lamps Help the Entertainment Industry 

With much evidence to back up the effectiveness of UVC germicidal lamps, the entertainment industry has looked to UV technology to remain open during the pandemic and protect patrons. Research has shown that UVC radiation when emitted at the right wavelength and for the proper time period eliminates many types of viruses and bacteria including stubborn antibiotic-resistant bacteria and viruses including beta corona viruses such as MERS, SARS and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. 

Germicidal UV lamps are proven to help prevent airborne transmission of disease in air purification systems and can be used in HVAC systems as well as upper room UVGI systems.  Surface sterilization can include handheld countertop disinfection devices or sophisticated UV robots that roam areas of unoccupied spaces.  UV disinfection systems must utilize quality UVC germicidal lamps for maximum effectiveness.

LightSources is a leading global supplier of high quality, high-tech UVC germicidal lamps. We design, engineer, and manufacture UV lamps for sterilization in a variety of applications and industries with custom development and prototype solutions available. Contact us to learn more about sourcing high-quality, long-lasting UVC germicidal lamps for malls, theaters, and public places.

What Conditions Do Medical Phototherapy Lamps Treat?

Ultraviolet light has many useful purposes, with UV electromagnetic radiation providing germicidal and healing properties.  Medical phototherapy is the process of using various wavelengths of UV light to treat certain conditions. UV phototherapy lamps are useful in treating and providing relief to a variety of ailments and illnesses. 

Phototherapy lamps are proven to treat many health conditions, including:

Neonatal jaundice - UV lamps are the main source of treatment to break down bilirubin in the blood that occurs when an infant’s liver is not yet fully capable of breaking down the toxins in the body.  “Bili” lights help the baby’s body and prevent brain damage. 

Mood disorders, depression – many people experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during the winter months with less sunlight. Light therapy lamps help to treat depression which can be mild to severe and can improve symptoms of fatigue, lack of interest, and many other depressive symptoms. 

Sleep disorders – phototherapy lamps treat sleep disorders, including jet lag, by helping the body to regulate the natural circadian rhythm. 

Light therapy lamps also treat a host of skin conditions and are prescribed by dermatologists to ensure the right wavelength is used to treat specific conditions such as: 

Acne – UV light is proven to help treat acne, which affects nearly 60 million people in the U.S. Topical treatments can minimize symptoms, but many are ineffective, leaving people looking for help. Combinations of red and blue light therapy have been proven successful in treating acne to reduce outbreaks and lessen the severity of symptoms. 

Eczema – UV light is useful for successfully treating eczema with UVA, UVB, and narrow-band UVB wavelengths that reduce symptoms and help to clear skin. 

Psoriasis – light therapy helps to treat psoriasis by successfully lessening the severity of symptoms and preventing outbreaks.  Sometimes medication called Psoralen is used in conjunction with UVA and UVB wavelengths to help absorption for successful treatment. 

Vitiligo – UV lights treat vitiligo which is a skin condition that leaves white patches on the skin due to a loss of melanin. Narrowband UVB lamps are a popular way to treat vitiligo and help repigment skin cells.

Ultraviolet medical phototherapy lights are used to treat these conditions and others, such as helping wounds to heal by increasing blood circulation and preventing infection. Photodynamic therapy, PDT, is a treatment where UV blue light is used in conjunction with medications to treat certain types of cancer and kill cancer cells or tumors of atypical growth. 

As you can see, ultraviolet lamps have vast healing power, although the right type of lamp with the correct wavelength must be used to treat each condition. It is important to use light therapy correctly under a physician’s care. 

LightSources is a leading global supplier of UV and fluorescent lamps using medical phototherapy as well as germicidal applications. Our UVC germicidal lamps are used worldwide to sterilize and disinfect in air purification systems, water treatment systems, and surface sterilization applications. Contact us to speak with an engineer about our many phototherapy lamps and our ability to design, engineer, and produce custom-designed wavelengths to meet your specific requirements.

How is Far UVC 222 nm Light Safer than 254 nm UV lamps?

Ultraviolet light emitted in the UVC range (100-280 nm) is highly effective at eliminating harmful germs with standard germicidal lamps designed to emit wavelengths close to the 254 nm range. The specific wavelength is proven to be highly effective at eliminating many harmful pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, mold, fungi, and other microorganisms. Germicidal UVC lamps are used in UV air treatment systems, water purification and surface sterilization systems worldwide. 

The standard germicidal lamps, however, cannot be used in the presence of humans due to the risk of damage to human skin and eyes.

222 Nm Far UVC Lamps Are Safer Than Standard Germicidal Lamps

UVC light emitted precisely at 222 nm is also called Far UVC and is proven to have the same germicidal effectiveness without the risk of human exposure. 222 nm UV light is highly absorbed by the DNA of cells, similar to how cells absorb UV light when in the range of 254 nm. 222 nm light is also absorbed by the proteins that surround the cells, which differs from 254 nm light. 

Proteins are contained in the cell outer membranes of bacteria and viruses, and because they absorb 222 nm UV light, the harmful radiation cannot penetrate into the thick layer of human cells. This protective layer is also found on the eyes, making 222 nm light safer for exposure to human skin and eyes, allowing for use in occupied spaces.

Far UVC lamps designed to emit 222 nm are currently in use in many applications, including medical facilities, hospitals, public spaces, and commercial uses providing effective sterilization and disinfection without the risk of causing harm to human health.

LightSources and LightTech are leading global suppliers of UVC germicidal lamps designed for a wide range of industries and applications. We offer custom design and engineering, and prototype development and are currently developing Excimer lamps to produce Far UVC in the range of 222 nm UV light. 

LightSources offers custom design and prototype development to meet unique customer specifications. Excimer lamps to produce far UVC light are currently in development at LightSources. Contact us with any questions and to learn more about all her germicidal solutions  including the efficacy and safety of 222 nm UV light.

Custom Designed 254 nm UV Lamps

254 nm UV lamps describe the most common type of UVC germicidal lamps used to disinfect the air, water, and surfaces.  Ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted in the UVC range, between 100 to 280 nm, is proven to be most effective at eradicating harmful bacteria, viruses, and pathogens.  UVC lamps are designed to emit UV radiation in the range of 254 nm quickly and effectively penetrate the cells of harmful microbes, altering the DNA and rendering these cells unable to replicate, thus considered harmless.

UVC lamps are used in many environments and applications such as in hospitals, in patient rooms, and operating rooms, to disinfect medical equipment and supplies.  Germicidal UVC lamps are also used to sterilize the air in many industrial, commercial, and residential environments including in HVAC units, furnaces, and air conditioning systems.  Many surface sterilization systems utilize the power of UVC radiation as well as water disinfection UVC systems. 

254 nm UVC Lamp Design and Engineering

254 nm UVC lamps are designed in basically three different glass types including: 

• Soft Glass

• Fused Quartz

• Synthetic Fused Quartz

Soft glass provides a lower-cost option for powerful UVC germicidal lamps that transmit UVC radiation at 254 nm only.  

Fused Quartz is available in two types, “L” for low ozone emission or “VH” for very high ozone emissions. “L” fused quartz 254 nm UV lamps by LightSources are designed to emit up to 90% of the UVC energy at 254 nm.  VH lamps can emit both 185nm and 254nm with custom engineering available to splice both L and VH ratios to meet specific germicidal requirements. 

Synthetic fused quartz lamps provide superior UV transmission at 185nm for very high ozone-producing applications. 

LightSources offers both 185nm and 254nm UV lamps for germicidal applications worldwide as a leading global supplier of UVC sterilization lamp solutions.

LightSources is an industry-leading provider of quality UV lamps for surface, water, and air purification systems.  We offer UVC lamps for UV robots and a wide range of applications that require 254nm UVC technology.  Contact us to learn more about our standard and custom-designed options for 254 nm UV lamps. 

UVC Lamps for Disinfection Robots

UV disinfection robots have become quite a bit more popular in recent years as they are highly effective at eliminating germs and there is an increased need for sterilization in many environments. Autonomous roaming robots with germicidal UV lamps are used in the United States, Europe, Asia, and many other countries worldwide to help provide a safer environment for people. UVC robots are proven effective when used in addition to manual cleaning procedures to eradicate harmful viruses and bacteria with up to 99.99% efficacy.

UVC disinfection robots equipped with high-quality sterilization lamps emit UV wavelengths at precisely the right nanometer of 254 nm which is the most powerful germ-killing wavelength of UV radiation. These UVC robots are being utilized in many hospitals across the country. They can roam around a room and emit powerful UVC radiation which can eliminate harmful viruses and bacteria on surfaces such as countertops, hospital beds, bathrooms, and high-touch surface areas to quickly and effectively protect patients and staff.

UVC disinfection robots can be programmed to follow a particular path to operate in rooms when humans are not present, without human intervention. They can even go back to their charging station when they need to recharge, automatically helping to provide a cleaner and safer environment.

UVC Lamps for Disinfection Robots

LightSources is a leading global supplier of UVC germicidal lamps produced for a wide range of sterilization and disinfection applications. We offer a wide variety of sterilization lamps including fluorescent, low-pressure mercury, and compact CFL bulbs for many germicidal applications. Our germicidal lamps can be found in air purification systems, surface sterilization products and water disinfection applications worldwide.

We offer UVC germicidal lamps for UV disinfection robots, proven to eliminate harmful bacteria and viruses and even antibiotic-resistant viruses such as MRSA and C.Diff. UVC germicidal lamps are also proven effective on many types of coronaviruses including the SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19. 

The LightSources group designs, engineers, and manufactures high-tech, high-quality UVC germicidal lamps with custom design options available. We offer prototype development and proprietary technology that provides longer-lasting germicidal effectiveness up to the end of lamp life. Contact us to learn more about UVC sterilization lamps for UV disinfection robots. \

Custom Designed Compact UV Lamps

Compact UV lamps provide many benefits for applications that require UV lighting in small spaces. Compact UVC lamps provide germicidal effectiveness, emailing powerful UV radiation with all the features of larger counterparts packed neatly into a small space. Compact UV lamps provide a wide range of possibilities to provide germicidal efficacy to surfaces, air, and water.

The LightSources group offers compact UV lamps designed and engineered with varying options such as a two-tube linear design which delivers uniform output, your choice of soft glass or quartz glass, ozone or non-ozone emitting lamps, and proprietary technologies available.

Compact UV Lamps in Soft Glass

Soft Glass compact UVC lamps deliver sterilization and disinfection effectiveness at 254nm to small spaces.  254nm is the UVC wavelength determined to provide the greatest germicidal efficacy. Soft Glass compact lamps designed by LightSources provide maximum operating efficiency and are proven to effectively kill pathogens such as bacteria, yeasts, viruses, and harmful microorganisms on surfaces, in the air and in water.

Compact UV Lamps In Quartz

Compact UVC lamps made in Quartz are available in both 185 nm ozone lamps as well as 254 nm germicidal lamps. Quartz low pressure mercury discharge lamps are designed to emit the maximum amount of UVC radiation allowing approximately 90% of UVC energy at 254nm to provide greatest germicidal effectiveness.

Compact UVC Lamps with Amalgam Technology

LightSources offers compact UVC lamps designed with our proprietary Emil gam technology, delivering outstanding UVC efficiency and exceptional value. 

The LightSources group includes the leading high-tech UV lamp designers and engineers combined with a state-of-the-art glass factory and allows for custom engineering with quick turnaround time. Our lamp designers and engineers possess deep technical knowledge of UVC radiation and lamp manufacturing to customize phosphor blends and more to specifically meet your application requirements.

LightSources is a leading global supplier of UVC germicidal lamps, fluorescent and mercury discharge lamps, and custom design solutions. We support OEMs with custom design, engineering, and manufacturing, ISO9001:2015 quality policies and quick turnaround time. Contact us to learn more about our custom compact UV lamps with all the germicidal effectiveness packed into a small space.