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The article explains why blue light sensors can be very useful for detection in some cases.
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This article aims to enhance understanding of blue light sensors and highlight their importance in specific applications. The common colors of sensors are well-known. This refers not to the housing colors, but to the transmitter colors. Red light and infrared light devices dominate the portfolio.
However, there is also a niche color: blue light.
The following image shows the ratio in figures.
Light is radiation that is visible within a certain, very small range.
Red light has a wavelength of around 640nm.
Infrared already belongs to the light not visible with the eye. It starts at about 750nm.
Shorter wavelengths, such as blue light (about 450nm), have several advantages.
The following object properties can be a challenge for red light and infrared light sensors:
Transparent
shiny
deep black parts
Possible Parts can be for example: carbon fibers, matt plastics, solar wafers,..
These properties often lead to a lower detection reliability.
Blue light devices, on the other hand, can handle them well: The reason for this is not only the higher intensity of reflected light but also the shorter wavelength. The penetration depth of the short-wave blue light into the sample is less than that of red light - and the proportion reflected at the surface is thus this higher. This also leads to a higher stability when the device is tilted.
Therefore, blue light sensors have a valid reason to exist. They can be useful in special application scenarios where other detection methods cannot or should not be used.
Keywords: blue light sensors, red light, infrared light, transmitter color, wavelength
