VUV radiation

Vacuum ultraviolet has an energy higher than 5 eV and therefore belongs to high-energy, ionizing radiation. Therefore, exposure to vacuum UV for radiation protection should be reduced to a minimum.

VUV radiation stands for vacuum ultraviolet radiation or vacuum ultraviolet radiation and describes the spectral range of electromagnetic radiation , which borders on the so-called near UV in its long-wave range . It owes its name to the fact that the radiation is absorbed by the oxygen in the air and therefore requires a vacuum in order to spread. The spectral range is not precisely defined because contradicting definitions exist e.g. B. 10–200 nm or 100–200 nm. The short-wave end of the VUV spectral range borders, depending on the definition, on the range of EUV radiation or on the soft X-ray radiation .

Spectra in the VUV radiation range were first recorded by Viktor Schumann in 1893; to he developed own measuring equipment, the vacuum, with prisms and lenses made of fluorite and a special photographic emulsion , wherein said light-sensitive silver crystals on top of the gelatin layer were enriched worked. With his vacuum spectrograph, Schumann was able to measure radiation with wavelengths below 185 nm to a minimum of 120 nm for the first time.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ISO 21348 May 1, 2007. Space environment (natural and artificial) - Process for determining solar irradiances.
2. ↑ DIN 5031 part 7 January 1984. Radiation physics in the optical field and lighting technology. Designation of the wavelength ranges.
3. ↑ Julia Bloemer, Johannes-Geert Hagmann: In search of the shortest wavelengths. deutsches-museum.de, August 30, 2013.