RFInfrared (IR) vs. Ultraviolet (UV): Key Differences Explained
infrared
ultraviolet
radiation
wavelength
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This article explores the differences between Infrared (IR) and Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, focusing on their frequency, wavelength, range, advantages, and disadvantages.
Infrared (IR)
- Wavelength: 760 nm to 1 mm
- Communication Distance: Short and medium ranges in LiFi and OCC
- Advantages: Invisible to the human eye
- Disadvantages: Can be unsafe. Requires Line-of-Sight (LOS) communication, with very limited Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) communication possible using infrared wave reflection.
- Applications: LiFi, OCC (Optical Camera Communication), FSO (Free Space Optical) communication, LiDAR
The table below details the sub-bands of Infrared radiation, including their respective frequency and wavelength values.
| IR Sub Bands | Frequency | Wavelength |
|---|---|---|
| Far Infrared (FIR) | 0.3 to 20 THz | 1 to 0.015 mm |
| Long Wavelength Infrared (LWIR) | 20 to 37.5 THz | 0.015 to 0.008 mm |
| Mid Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) | 37 to 100 THz | 0.008 mm to 0.003 mm |
| Short Wavelength Infrared (SWIR) | 100 to 214.3 THz | 3000000 to 1400 nm |
| Near Infrared (NIR) | 214.3 to 394.7 THz | 1400 to 760 nm |
Ultraviolet (UV)
- Wavelength: 10 to 400 nm
- Communication Distance: Short and medium ranges in LiFi
- Advantages: High data rate NLOS communication is possible, invisible to the human eye.
- Disadvantages: Not safe for human exposure.
- Applications: LiFi, FSO
The following table outlines the sub-bands of UV radiation, along with their corresponding frequency and wavelength values.
| UV sub bands | Frequency | Wavelength |
|---|---|---|
| Ultraviolet A (UVA) | 750 to 952.4 THz | 400 to 315 nm |
| Ultraviolet B (UVB) | 952.4 to 1071 THz | 315 to 280 nm |
| Ultraviolet C (UVC) | 1.071 to 3 PHz | 280 to 100 nm |
| Near Ultraviolet (NUV) | 0.750 to 1 PHz | 400 to 300 nm |
| Middle Ultraviolet | 1 to 1.5 PHz | 300 to 200 nm |
| Far Ultraviolet | 1.5 to 2.459 PHz | 200 to 122 nm |
| Hydrogen Lyman-alpha | 2.459 to 2.479 PHz | 122 to 121 nm |
| Extreme ultra violet (EUV) | 2.479 to 30 PHz | 121 to 10 nm |
| Vacuum ultraviolet | 1.5 to 30 PHz | 200 to 10 nm |
