Using UV LEDs for Disinfection
You may know the main source of UV radiation as the sun, but there are also manufactured sources of UV radiation, including LEDs.
UV Radiation
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is divided in three sections, depending on the wavelength: UV-A (315-400 nm), UV-B (280-315 nm), and UV-C (100-280 nm). Depending on the wavelengths, their application areas are different:UV-A Applications
Horticulture
Security and counterfeit detection
Curing applications
UV-B Applications
Horticulture
Treating vitamin D deficienc
Phototherapy
UV-C Applications
Surface disinfection
Air purification
Water disinfection
Especially UV-C radiation is interesting for disinfection purposes such as Corona virus inactivation.
UV-C disinfection is based on the fact that UV-C radiation damages DNA and inhibits the proliferation of bacterial, fungal, plant and animal cells. In a similar mechanism, UV light damages the RNA of viruses, which renders them inactive. The more damage caused to the RNA, the less the virus can infect other organisms. Different wavelengths of UV-C are more effective in inducing DNA/RNA damage than other wavelengths. According to studies, a wavelength of 260nm is more effective than other wavelengths in the UV-C. Nonetheless, the wavelength of 275nm is suitable for disinfection such as deactivating Corona viruses and is currently often the best wavelength for achieving disinfection as 275nm LEDs have a higher optical power output (radiant flux) and are therefore often the best solution for disinfection.
