superviolet

Superviolet is a term that has appeared in historical and informal discussions of light to describe radiation at the boundary between visible violet and ultraviolet. It is not a standard term in modern spectroscopy or color science.

Because there is no universal boundary, different authors have used "superviolet" in different ways. Some place it at wavelengths just shorter than visible violet, typically near the lower end of the violet range (roughly 380–400 nanometers). Others treat it as essentially part of near-ultraviolet, about 315–400 nanometers. The lack of a fixed definition means the term is largely contextual.

In practice, the idea of superviolet is linked to phenomena in which materials respond to near-UV light with fluorescence or photochemical effects, or to displays or filters that emphasize work in the violet/near-UV region. In contemporary science and industry, the standard terms ultraviolet and near-UV are used rather than "superviolet."

Because ultraviolet radiation can pose safety risks, any discussion involving near-UV or "superviolet" in lighting or imaging typically notes the need for appropriate shielding and eye protection.

See also: Ultraviolet, Violet, Near-UV.