Black Lights!
What is a Black Light?
Black light refers to ultraviolet or infrared radiation that is invisible to the eye. Black light fixtures emit long wavelength UV-A ultraviolet light and are most commonly used for observing fluorescent materials. The ideal wavelength for fluorescence is approximately 395 nm for most applications.
Black lights have a wide variety of uses. Today there are even black light tattoos made with a special ink that is visible under a black light. Common uses for black lights include:
- Decorating Laser Tag Parks, Arcade Rooms, and Bowling Alleys
- Producing artistic lighting effects at live performances
- Detection of counterfeit artwork or currency
- Aiding forensic investigations
- Mineral and rock hunting
- Attracting insects
 Picture – Epic Fun in Lawrence KS |
![Fluorescent_minerals_hg[1]](/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Fluorescent_minerals_hg1.jpg) |
How are Black Lights Constructed?
Common fluorescent black lights are made by covering a fluorescent light with a phosphor coating that only allows UV wavelength light through (the coating appears black). Standard fluorescent lights operate mostly in the visible light spectrum with only a very small portion of the light generated in the UV spectrum. The efficiency of a fluorescent UV light is extremely low (typically ~5% the efficiency of a UV LED light).
Fluorescent black lights emit a wide spectrum of UV-A light that generally peaks around 365nm. On the other hand, LED black lights are made to emit a narrow band wavelength of light that typically peak at around 395nm. SST’s LED black lights peak at 400nm and have a very narrow bandwidth of 20nm. This ensures that all the emitted UV light is “useful” for lighting fluorescent materials.
LED black light fixtures are extremely durable and not hazardous if damaged. Fluorescent black light fixtures, on the other hand, are very fragile and easily damaged or broken.
 Common Florescent Black Light Fixture |
 Picture – Epic Fun in Lawrence KS |
What Makes Colors “Glow”?
Items that glow when exposed to black light are usually coated with a special fluorescent (luminous) material that causes them to fluoresce under UV light. What our eyes actually see is the UV light reflecting off of the fluorescent material and dropping into the visible light spectrum as it loses energy.
The optimal wavelength light to create a glowing effect is 400nm. Fluorescent material will not respond as well to higher or lower wavelength light (such as the 365 nm peak wavelength emitted by fluorescent black lights. Light emitted by SST’s LED Black Lights peaks at 400nm and is even good for fluorescing more difficult colors such as different shades of blue.
Case Study – Epic Fun Laser Tag
SST’s LED Black Light  |
Common Fluorescent Black Lights | |
| Project Space | 95ftx45ft | 95ftx45ft |
| Product | SST’s ST40Y24M5X6 Black Lights | Fluorescent black light tubes |
| Fixture Quantity | 23 pcs | 180 pcs |
| Spectrum | Peak wavelength of 400 nm | Peak wavelength of 370 nm |
| Power Rating | Dimmable, from 3.2 to 32.5 Watts each | 32 Watts each |
| Fixture Lifetime | 10,000+ hours, (longer lifetime using lower power, dimmed light output) | 1,000 hours |
| Total Energy Consumed |
|
5,760 Watts |
Request a Customized ROI Study
Call us at 785-856-0219 to perform a customized study on your next black lighting project!