Mixing Green Light with Non-Visible 800nm Light: Understanding the Effects
Introduction
Understanding the properties and behavior of light is a fascinating topic in physics and optics. When it comes to mixing different wavelengths of light, particularly when dealing with non-visible and visible light, the results can be quite interesting. In this article, we will explore what happens when green light is combined with non-visible light at 800nm.
Visible Light vs. Non-Visible Light
First, it is important to clarify the difference between visible light and non-visible light. While 800nm light might be termed 'non-visible' or 'non-visible infrared' (IR), it is not completely invisible. Instead, it lies just outside the range of wavelengths that the human eye can perceive. The visible spectrum ranges from approximately 400 to 700nm. Wavelengths below 400nm are classified as ultraviolet (UV) and those above 700nm are part of the infrared spectrum.
Behavior of 800nm Light
Since 800nm light has a longer wavelength than colors visible to the human eye (400-700nm), it appears redder compared to the same brightness as visible light. This means that when you shine 800nm light on an object, it will look redder by comparison. However, it's worth noting that this is not absolute invisibility; it is simply less visible than the wavelengths in the visible light spectrum.
Mixing Green and 800nm Light
When you mix green light with 800nm light, the result is somewhat predictable. However, the outcome is not as straightforward as when mixing two visible wavelengths. Just as mixing red and green light results in yellow light, the combination of green and 800nm light will produce a color that is a blend of green and a redder component. This is because the 800nm light behaves similarly to red light in terms of its wavelength and the way it interacts with the human eye, but less intense.
Effect on Pigment Mixture
When discussing pigment mixtures, it is important to distinguish between color mixing in light and mixing pigments. If you mix red and green pigments, they will typically result in black. However, the situation with light is different. When light of two different wavelengths is mixed, it follows the principles of additive color mixing. Red and green light combine to form yellow light. Therefore, green light plus 800nm light (which has a redder component) will appear as a shade of yellow but with a redder tinge due to the 800nm component.
Human Perception and Interaction
The key takeaway is that when these two wavelengths are combined, the human eye will primarily perceive the green wavelength, while the 800nm component will contribute to a redder hue. The 800nm light does not interact with green light in a way that changes the perception drastically, but rather adds a redder component to the overall color observation. Essentially, the 800nm light behaves similarly to red light in this scenario, which results in a color that is closer to red but with a green undertone due to the initial green component.
Practical Applications
Understanding the behavior of non-visible light, such as 800nm, can have practical applications in various fields, including optometry, material science, and lighting design. For instance, in optometry, understanding how different wavelengths interact can help in the development of more effective eyewear that can filter harmful non-visible light. In lighting design, this knowledge can aid in creating more dynamic and visually appealing lighting systems.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when green light is combined with non-visible 800nm light, the result is a color that appears as a shade of yellow with a redder tint. The 800nm light contributes a redder component, but does not fundamentally change the perception of green light to the human eye. This understanding is fundamental to many applications in optics and lighting design.
Additional Resources
For those interested in expanding their knowledge on this subject, we recommend exploring further reading on additive color mixing and the properties of light. These resources can provide a deeper understanding of the complex interactions between different wavelengths of light and their practical applications.