What Is Ultraviolet Light?
Ultraviolet light is part of the light spectrum, which is classified into three wavelength ranges: UV-C from 100 nanometers to 280 nm; UV-B from 280nm to 315 nm; and, UV-A from 315 nm to 400nm. These waves are invisible to the human eye, but some insects like bumblebees, can see them. The human eye responds to light with wavelengths from about 400 nm (violet) to 700 nm (red).

What Is Visible Light?
Visible light waves are the only electromagnetic waves we can see. We see these waves as the colors of the rainbow. Each color has a different wavelength. Red has the longest wavelength and violet has the shortest. When all the waves are seen together, they make white light.

How Do We "See" Using Ultraviolet Light?
Ultraviolet light is contained in the range of wavelengths produced by the Sun. Most UV light is absorbed by the ozone layer or reflected back into space so only a small amount reaches the surface of the Earth. Sunlight is received as direct rays and as diffuse light, i.e., skylight that has been scattered by the atmosphere. The sky appears blue because air molecules scatter the shorter wavelength blue light more than the red light. UV light is scattered even more than blue light. If we could see in the UV, the Sun would appear as a dull disk in a uniformly bright sky. Being shaded from the Suns direct rays provides only partial protection from UV exposure because of the high level of diffuse UV light.

How Do We "See" Using Visible Light?
Cones in our eyes act as receivers for these tiny visible light waves. The Sun is a natural source for visible light waves and our eyes see the reflection of this sunlight off the objects around us. The color of an object that we see is the color of light reflected. All other colors are absorbed.

What Are The Benefits Of Using A UV Camera?
With a UV camera you can capture very detailed data, which can be undetected by human eyes. Below are images depicting the greater detail (scratches, blemished, etc.) that can be captured when using a UV camera versus a standard camera.

SURFACE INSPECTION

With UV CAMERA	With STANDARD CAMERA

IDENTIFICATION

With UV CAMERA	With STANDARD CAMERA

3D INSPECTION

With UV CAMERA	With STANDARD CAMERA

SELECTION

With UV CAMERA	With STANDARD CAMERA

PCB INSPECTION/SOLDER INSPECTION

With UV CAMERA	With STANDARD CAMERA

Sony Introduces Two New UV Cameras:
Sony XCEU50 1/2" Near UV Sensitive B/W Camera
Sony XCDSX900UV Near-Ultraviolet High Res. B & W Digital Camera

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