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What is Ultraviolet Radiation?

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength between 100nm (nanometers) and 400nm. Since this is less than the wavelength of visible light, UV radiation cannot be seen. There are 3 types, each of different wavebands:

UV radiation is associated with a range of applications in the University, such as

• UV light boxes (transilluminators) to visualise fluorescent markers used in gel electrophoresis of nucleic acids and proteins
• germicidal sterilisation (e.g. UV lamps used in some microbial safety cabinets)
• UV cross-linkers
• produced as a by-product of some process e.g. welding
• emitted from solid state light sources e.g. light emitting diodes, LEDs or lasers