UV Light

[Kuzgun]

Hi, here is anyone using an UV light for analysing the minerals in caves? I need an information about this method. Can i use a cheap UV light bought from eBay for this method ? How much nm wavelength it must be ?

[Lava]

A couple of years ago I looked into wide-band UV LEDs for a UV mineral display case. At the time the only ones that existed were very narrow-band and were extremely expensive. Now I see UV LED flashlights wherever IDs are checked, and they are cheap, but most of those are also quite narrow-band. With a narrow-band light, you might get one type of rock to fluoresce but you'd miss others. If you're only looking for one species, you could find a light with LEDs of a specific wavelength matching the excitation wavelength of the rock. But if you just want to walk through a cave and look for UV response, you'll need a small hand held long/short wave bulb-based UV light like this one:

http://www.blacklightshop.com/shop/view ... roductid=9

But this is not the kind of light that you can use to illuminate rocks across the room; you have to get within about 12 inches to really get a good glow going. If you want one that's going to illuminate from across the room, you'll end up spending a ton of cash.

[Kuzgun]

Thank you Lava, im just trying to learn something about this for my personal interest not for searching specific mineral. I wanna see the earth from another side

[Caverdale]

I don't know the band width or the distance range, but the latest Forestry Suppliers, Inc Catalog has a 51-LED UV Flashlight for $66.95. Catalog number: 02220. Takes 3 AA cells. "This compact light features simple, rugged circuitry and a visible light reduction filter". It doesn't say but it appears to come in an aluminum housing. Comes with a Nylon belt holster. Dimensions: 6.5" x 2.5" x 2.5". I've been thinking of getting one myself.