Application Notes—Photoconductive Cells
wavelength is defined as the distance a wave travels in one cycle.
APPLICATION NOTE #1
Light - Some Physical Basics
Since the wavelengths of light are very short they are normally
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measured in nanometers, one nanometer being equal to 1 x 10
meters.
Light is produced by the release of energy from the atoms of a material
when they are excited by heat, chemical reaction or other means. Light
travels through space in the form of an electromagnetic wave.
The spectral response of PerkinElmer’s photoconductors are specified
by lots of relative response versus wavelength (color) for various
material types.
A consequence of this wave-like nature is that each “color” can be
completely defined by specifying its unique wavelength. The
700
400
Ultraviolet
Visible Light
Infrared
(To X-rays and Gamma Rays)
(To Radar Waves)
Violet
Red
Wavelength
Violet
Below 450 nm
450 - 500 nm
500 - 570 nm
570 - 590 nm
590 - 610 nm
610 - 700 nm
Blue
Green
Yellow
Orange
Red
Natural Illuminance
Room Illumination
Sky Condition
Direct Sunlight
Light Level (Typical)
Lighting Condition
Candle - Lit Room
Light Level (Typical)
10000 fc
1000 fc
1 fc
5 fc
10 fc
Overcast Day
Twilight
Auditorium
Classroom
30 fc
Full Moon
0.1 fc
Inspection Station
Hospital Operating Room
250 fc
Clear Night Sky (moonless)
0.001 fc
500 - 1000 fc
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