vacuum-ultraviolet radiation

Vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than those of visible light and longer than X-rays. This region of the spectrum, typically ranging from about 10 to 200 nanometers, is characterized by highly energetic photons capable of exciting atoms to ionization.12

VUV radiation is strongly absorbed by air and most substances, necessitating its study in vacuum chambers. Sources of VUV radiation include synchrotron radiation, mercury or xenon arc lamps, and gaseous discharge tubes containing atoms like hydrogen or deuterium. While invisible to the human eye, VUV radiation can cause materials to fluoresce and is utilized in various applications, including sterilization and industrial processes. It is also ionizing radiation, meaning it can remove electrons from atoms and molecules, making it potentially harmful to living tissues.213