UVoptical

UVoptical refers to the ultraviolet and visible portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, roughly from 10 nanometers to about 700 nanometers. This range is central to astronomy, spectroscopy, and materials science, enabling study of hot stars, nebulae, and many chemical processes. Observations in this domain are shaped by atmospheric transmission and instrument sensitivity across the band.

Ground-based work is feasible in the near-UV and visible bands but requires corrections for atmospheric extinction and seeing; shorter wavelengths usually require space-based platforms or high-altitude sites.

Techniques include UV–visible spectroscopy and multi-band imaging. Detectors include CCDs optimized for optical light and UV-sensitive devices such as specialized CCDs and photon-counting detectors, often with UV-enhancing optics and careful calibrations against standard stars.

Applications span astronomy—studying hot stars, galaxies, and the interstellar medium—and chemistry or biology, where UV–visible spectroscopy identifies materials and monitors reactions. In industry, UV light is used for curing and in lithography, illustrating practical uses of the UVoptical range.

Advances focus on detector efficiency, cross-calibration between UV and optical data, and space missions to access the far-UV.