[
  {
    "wavelength_nm": 185,
    "band": "Vacuum UV (VUV)",
    "photon_energy_ev": 6.7,
    "visibility": "Completely Invisible",
    "primary_emitters": "Low-pressure synthetic quartz mercury arc lamps",
    "mechanism": "Photolysis of atmospheric molecular oxygen (O2) into ozone (O3)",
    "visible_bleed": "0%",
    "optical_filter": "Suprasil synthetic silica envelope required",
    "primary_applications": "Ozone generation, TOC (total organic carbon) water reduction, excimer semiconductor cleaning",
    "safety_hazard": "Extremely hazardous: causes immediate severe photochemical eye burns, skin burns, and toxic ozone inhalation."
  },
  {
    "wavelength_nm": 254,
    "band": "Shortwave UV (UV-C)",
    "photon_energy_ev": 4.88,
    "visibility": "Invisible (human eye has 0% sensitivity; faint pale blue glow from secondary mercury plasma lines)",
    "primary_emitters": "Low-pressure mercury vapor discharge tubes with fused quartz envelope",
    "mechanism": "Resonance emission of mercury vapor (6^3P_1 to 6^1S_0 transition) inducing thymine dimer formation in DNA/RNA",
    "visible_bleed": "< 0.5% (with visible absorption filter)",
    "optical_filter": "Wood's glass or specialized UV-C bandpass filter (UG5, Hoya U-325C)",
    "primary_applications": "Fluorescent mineralogy (willemite, calcite, scheelite), DNA/RNA transillumination, germicidal sterilization (UVGI), scientific spectroscopy",
    "safety_hazard": "Severe hazard: causes acute photokeratitis (welder's flash) and erythema (sunburn) within seconds of direct exposure. Requires UV-absorbing polycarbonate eyewear."
  },
  {
    "wavelength_nm": 302,
    "band": "Midwave UV (UV-B)",
    "photon_energy_ev": 4.11,
    "visibility": "Invisible (faint pale purple secondary glow without filter)",
    "primary_emitters": "Fluorescent discharge lamps with specialized phosphor coatings (e.g., magnesium gallate or lead-activated phosphors)",
    "mechanism": "Excitation of intermediate electronic transitions; interacts directly with nucleic acids and biological aromatic rings",
    "visible_bleed": "< 1% (filtered)",
    "optical_filter": "UV-B bandpass filter blocking UV-C and visible light",
    "primary_applications": "Agarose gel DNA visualization (ethidium bromide, GelRed), specialized mineralogy (esperite, calcite variations), medical phototherapy for psoriasis",
    "safety_hazard": "High hazard: causes delayed severe skin erythema, cellular DNA damage, and ocular damage. Direct skin and eye exposure strictly prohibited."
  },
  {
    "wavelength_nm": 365,
    "band": "Longwave UV (UV-A / True Black Light)",
    "photon_energy_ev": 3.4,
    "visibility": "Virtually invisible to human eye; appears as very faint dull blue-white haze due to natural crystalline lens auto-fluorescence",
    "primary_emitters": "High-power InGaN UV LEDs with ZWB2 black glass filters, BLB fluorescent tubes with nickel oxide Wood's glass, high-pressure mercury arc lamps",
    "mechanism": "Peak excitation of aromatic fluorophores and conjugated double bonds via pi -> pi* transitions; creates maximum Stokes shift contrast with zero visible purple wash",
    "visible_bleed": "< 0.1% when equipped with Wood's / ZWB2 optical filter (< 2% unfiltered LED)",
    "optical_filter": "Wood's glass (barium-sodium silicate with ~9% NiO) or ZWB2 / Hoya U-340 / Schott UG1 bandpass filter",
    "primary_applications": "Forensic bodily fluid detection (semen, saliva, urine), pet urine uric acid crystal detection, currency and passport security fibers, fine art and antique authentication, fluorescent penetrant inspection (NDT per ASTM E1444), fluorescent mineralogy (yooperlites, fluorite, sodalite), clinical dermatology (Wood's lamp)",
    "safety_hazard": "Moderate ocular hazard: excessive direct beam viewing causes lens fluorescence, eyestrain, and long-term risk of cataracts. Wear ANSI Z87.1 UV-rated polycarbonate safety glasses."
  },
  {
    "wavelength_nm": 385,
    "band": "Longwave UV (UV-A / Borderline Visible)",
    "photon_energy_ev": 3.22,
    "visibility": "Weak visible deep violet glow; noticeable in darkened environment",
    "primary_emitters": "InGaN solid-state LEDs",
    "mechanism": "Deep violet-UV transitional excitation; high photon flux for industrial free-radical polymerization",
    "visible_bleed": "3% - 8% visible violet light",
    "optical_filter": "Rarely filtered in industrial settings; optional ZWB2 for inspection",
    "primary_applications": "Industrial UV adhesive curing, optical cement bonding, 3D printing stereolithography (SLA/DLP), specialty coating drying",
    "safety_hazard": "Moderate hazard: high radiant flux can cause ocular fatigue and thermal/photochemical retinal strain. Eye protection required."
  },
  {
    "wavelength_nm": 395,
    "band": "Near-UV / Violet (Commercial Black Light)",
    "photon_energy_ev": 3.14,
    "visibility": "Distinct, vivid deep purple/violet illumination (within the tail of human scotopic and photopic visual sensitivity curve)",
    "primary_emitters": "Low-cost high-volume InGaN LEDs, commercial black light flashlights, consumer party light bulbs",
    "mechanism": "Near-UV photon absorption with significant visible light bleed that bathes surrounding objects in intense purple hue",
    "visible_bleed": "15% - 30% visible purple light spillover",
    "optical_filter": "Unfiltered in standard commercial products (adding a filter eliminates >70% of apparent brightness)",
    "primary_applications": "Scorpion hunting in field conditions, UV party decorations and glow dances, blacklight posters, uranium glass excitation, consumer nail polish UV gel curing, fluorescent escape rooms",
    "safety_hazard": "Low to moderate hazard: low UV photon energy, but visible purple glare causes visual fatigue. Avoid staring directly into high-intensity LED emitters."
  },
  {
    "wavelength_nm": 405,
    "band": "Visible Violet (Actinic Violet / Laser Violet)",
    "photon_energy_ev": 3.06,
    "visibility": "Strong, clearly visible intense violet light",
    "primary_emitters": "InGaN violet diode lasers, standard 405nm dental curing LEDs, consumer resin 3D printers",
    "mechanism": "Pure visible violet photon excitation matching standard commercial photoinitiators (TPO, BAPO, camphorquinone)",
    "visible_bleed": "> 90% visible light (not a true black light)",
    "optical_filter": "None used",
    "primary_applications": "Resin 3D printing (405nm UV resin), dental composite curing, blue-ray optical disc drives, fluorescence demonstration in education",
    "safety_hazard": "Ocular hazard primarily from high blue-light hazard (photochemical retinal hazard) rather than UV actinic damage."
  }
]