A UVC LED is semiconductor light source that produces short wavelength photons in the spectral range of 200 to 280 nanometers. It produces monochromatic, biologically sensitive light that targets specific bonds and structures in DNA, RNA and proteins of microorganisms and biomolecules for disinfection and sterilization. Ultraviolet (UV) light refers to electromagnetic radiation ranging in wavelengths from 100 to 400 nanometers, which falls between visible light and x-rays on the electromagnetic spectrum. Using the CIE classification, the UV range can be further divided into UV-A (long-wave) from 315 to 400 nm, UV-B (medium-wave) from 280 to 315 nm, and UV-C (short-wave) from 100 to 280 nm. Although the spectral band of UV-C is classified as the wavelength range of 100 – 280 nm, radiation within the 100 – 200 nm wavelength range is strongly absorbed by atmospheric oxygen and thus called vacuum UV. The wavelengths that can be utilized for germicidal irradiation span a narrower range and lie from approximately 200 to 280 nm. The emission wavelength of a UVC LED is tuned to a specific target within this spectral band.
UVC is a high energy form of radiation. Highly energetic photons can induce photochemical reactions and result in pyrimidine dimerization within DNA/RNA , which is the dominant cellular damage, and disulphide bridge breakdown in proteins. They break organic molecular bonds and form photodimeric lesions in nucleic acids. These lesions, in turn, disrupt the ability of the microorganism to replicate and transcript, which effectively inhibits or inactivate the growth and proliferation of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, spores, fungi, molds and mites. Among these microorganisms include the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The COVID-19 virus spreads by airborne transmission primarily through the respiratory droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. The effectiveness of the effectiveness of UVC lamps in inactivating the SARS-CoV-2 virus in inactivating viruses and pathogenic microbes is a function of the dose of radiation, which is determined by the wavelength, intensity (irradiance) and duration of radiation.
at the Open Lighting Product Directory (OLPD)
