Fun with UV Lamps...


A great demo to use when on optics is the stuff you can't see unless a little UV light is introduced. Objects like new US dollar bills, licenses, and clothing show dramatic changes under a simple UV lamp. First, obtain a cheap little UV lamp. Battery powered ones are obtainable at WalMart and such for a few bucks. You need stronger lamps for more dramatic viewing, but the cheap ones work just fine for demos.



Let's start with paper money from around the world...


The Good Ole US of A

$20 in white light
$20US in white light.

$20 in UV
$20US in UV. Note the security strip. It reads "USA 20"

You gotta see the $50US and the $100US, too.


The Mother Land - Great Britain

This is thanks to an unnamed Brit who contributed valuably at my WalMart Science workshop in Boston 03-30-08! He actually GAVE me a £5 note! Gotta love those Brits! Thanks, whoever you are!
(Contact me for proper reference here...)

£5 Note
£5 British Note in white light


£5 British Note (lower left) in UV
NOTE: I must apologize for my photographic ignorance... This British note just won't come out clear for some reason. I've taken 14 images and, believe it or not, this is the best one...

NOTE: The £20 Note is spectacular!!!


The Euro!!
Thanks to Gustav, a tremendously gracious and athletic student of mine! [He paid me to say that... Why does he carry these things in his wallet?]

€50 Front
€50 Front

€50 Back
€50 Back


€50 Front in UV. Notice the colored specks.


€50 Back in UV. Notice the colored specks.


Costa Rica!
A GREAT place to visit!!!


₡ 1000 Note


₡ 1000 Note in UV! WOWZERS!!
NOTE: My photographic skills are horrible! Those bright specks are actually there; the entire bill lights up like distant multi-colored stars...


Beautiful Downtown Sweden!
Again, thanks to Gustav!


500 kr Note Front


500 kr Note Front in UV - COOL message written in something we don't know... Also, note the colored speckles...



Now, let's look at driver's licenses from around the country...


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