" What is Blacklite ™ "

Ultraviolet :

(1) That invisible region of the spectrum pertaining to a electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths (from under 200 to 400 nanometers) that are shorter than violet light. (2) of, pertaining to, or producing radiation of such wavelengths.

UV A : 340 - 380nm Used for Blacklite™ fx.
UV A : 320 - 380nm Used for UV Curing, Non Destructive Testing & Inspection.
UV B : 280 - 320nm Used for Suntanning.
UV C : 200 - 280nm Used in Dermatology.

For best results we want our peak transmission of UV. A to be around 365nm this is the Magic frequency that works best when exciting and illuminating fluorescent substrates and pigments.

Under most conditions, UV. A is safe and harmless to humans, and is not hazardous to the environment, However persons taking Photo Sensitive Drugs Should keep from exposing themselves to any high output UV. Radiation of any type this includes Sun Light.

Fluorescence:

The property of a substance, such as fluorite, of producing, light while it is being acted upon by ultraviolet rays, X-rays, or other forms of radiant energy. i.e.: When Luminescent materials (fluorescence and Phosphorescence) are exposed to Ultraviolet light they are excited to a retroactive state and emit visible light and color.

 

Fluorescent Products & Materials:

Fluorescent pigments and dyes are found and extracted from many types of vegetable and mineral compounds.

Day-Glo:

Trademark for a coloring agent added to paint, etc. to produce any of a variety of brilliant fluorescent colors.

Fluorescein :

A Yellowish - Red, crystalline compound made synthetically from resorcinol and phthalic anhydride: a dilute alkaline solution appears Green by reflected light and Red by transmitted light : used as a textile dye, a liquid coloring, and ,in medicine,an intravenous diagnostic aid.

Fluorite:

Calcium Fluoride, a transparent, crystalline mineral having many colors and perfect cleavage: it is the principle source of fluorine and is also used as a flux, in glass making etc.

Protein:

Protein from tiny sea plants and animals when mixed with oxygen can produce their own light with hardly any heat. When exposed to ultraviolet light they emit a bright Green.

Soap Powder & Liquid Laundry Detergent:

Used as a brightener when we wash our clothes looks bright White or Blue when exposed to ultraviolet light.

Sodalite:

Grayish mineral, complex compound of sodium,aluminum, silicon, oxygen and chlorine. Exposed to ultraviolet light emits Yellow or Orange light.

Willemite:

Emits a bright Green.

Materials Used Can Be Divided Into Two Categories:

(1) Liquid Solutions such as tracers used for quality control inspection,can be added to water for breath taking effects in water show applications. Inks and Dyes,can be used as Pigments for water base Paints,Lacquers and other mediums in the art and textile industries.

(2) Plastic Solids are available in flexible PVC which come in Tube form,Strips,Fabrics, Ribbon,Paper and latex. Rigid Solids include Acrylics and Polycarbonate Sheets and Rods, you can also find materials available in Polyethylene and Polystyrene plastics. Most all Solids should last from 3 - 7 years depending on the substrates exposure to sun light.

Ultraviolet Sources:

Blacklight Fluorescent Lamp: (Black Light Blue = BLB)

Most common source of blacklight is the BLB fluorescent tube lamp Mercury vapor in the tube is acted upon by a stream of electrons from the cathode that gives off the selected longwave UV radiation . The envelope glass used is a dark Cobalt Blue. These lamps are commonly found in wattage's ranging from 4 to 40 watt and in lengths from 6" to 48" long.

High Output Blacklight The Use of Short Arc Lamps:

Most common are the Mercury Vapor and Metal Halide types. These sources produce Visible light along with Ultraviolet light.,Therefore we have to use a Narrow Bandpass Filter to block the Visible Light (400 - 700nm),UV-C (200-280nm) and most of the UV-B (280 - 320nm).

Filters Can Be Found Most Commonly In Two Forms:

(1) Deep Dyed,Pot Poured,Rolled and Blown Glass: Work Well with Mercury and Halide lamps 400 W and Lower.

(2) Vacuum Thin Film Dichroic Coating: Very durable, especially in high heat applications.Operating frequency can be designed to work around the Lamps operating specification. Can be used in fixtures Ranging any where from 70 watt Halide to 18K HMI and Xenon.

Arc Lamp:

An arc between electrodes that serve as a radiation source. Gas tubes that contain mercury vapor and mixtures of helium, neon, and argon.Such sources can be several feet in length. Short tubes are most common in conventional lighting applications.

Mercury Vapor :

A lamp that has Mercury in a tube or bulb that has first been evacuated. The electricity travels through the vapor between the electrodes, and produces a blue-green light that is rich in ultraviolet and near-infrared, as well as visible radiation by using a high frequency current in a coil surrounding a tube without electrodes, the Mercury vapor can be excited to radiation.

Metal Halide :

Enclosed arc lamp containing compound of Halogen mixed with certain elements such as Fluorine,Chlorine,Iodine, Bromine,or Astatine as a constituent.

Halide Types :

HID = High Intensity Discharge, HMI, CID,MSR,MARC 300,.

Xenon:

A rare gas used in Very high pressure arc lamps to produce a high-intensity source of light closely resembling the color quality of daylight.

CAUTION:

WHEN EXPERIMENTING WITH SHORT ARC SOURCES IN RAW FORM WITHOUT FILTERING, PROTECTIVE EYEWARE SHOULD BE WORN TO BLOCK OUT DAMAGING ULTRAVIOLET WAVES.
WHEN EXPERIMENTING WITH XENON LAMPS,USE LAMP HOUSING & PROTECTIVE CLOTHING.
" XENON " LAMPS ARE UNDER VERY HIGH PRESSURE, WHEN HOT OR WARM, CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN WHEN HANDLING.

HD DICHROIC UV PASS Blacklite™ FILTER For Blacklite™ Effects

Our Blacklite™ FILTER when used in conjunction with a UV radiation producing source such as a Xenon or Metal Halide lighting fixture, can create breath taking effects by illuminating fluorescent materials such as paints, fabrics, and tubing as treatments to scenic properties.

Our Blacklite™ FILTERS are guaranteed to have a peak transmission above 80% at 365 nm with less than 1.0% transmission in the visible spectrum (400 nm to 700 nm) and holds a warranty of 1 year from peeling, crazing, or blistering in most applications.

The HD UV PASS Blacklite™ FILTER is superior to other products using filter glass in both its peak transmission at 365 nm and its ability to perform in a high heat environment.

General information:
Thickness : 1.75mm - 4mm Max. dimensions : 24.0"

PUBLICATIONS & MULTI MEDIA KITS