Controlling optical wavelength of illumination to improve reproduction rates in microorganisms

[metz]

TL;DR Summary

reproduction, optics, wavelengths, light, sustainability, material, chemistry, earth sciences, microorganisms

hello!
I am trying to make a device that will improve reproduction rates in certain microorganisms that I am studying. They reproduce fastest under shorter wavelengths, specifically best at blue light. Any ideas for devices or materials that could help out would be appreciated! An idea I had was to use crystals, specifically Neodymium-doped yttrium orthovanadate, which can split an infrared wavelength in half and make it green (i think). I can use the material under the sun to turn all the higher wavelengths into lower to preserve the same light energy, but convert it into lower wavelengths. Issues: not sustainable, probably expensive. Any other similar ideas or ways I can improve on my idea? thanks!

 

[Baluncore]

Welcome to PF.

An idea I had was to use crystals, specifically Neodymium-doped yttrium orthovanadate, which can split an infrared wavelength in half and make it green (i think).

Infrared is the low-energy end of the spectrum, ultraviolet is the high-energy end. You can down-convert UV to visible light, but not easily up-convert IR to visible.

 

[pinball1970]

TL;DR Summary: reproduction, optics, wavelengths, light, sustainability, material, chemistry, earth sciences, microorganisms

hello!
I am trying to make a device that will improve reproduction rates in certain microorganisms that I am studying. They reproduce fastest under shorter wavelengths, specifically best at blue light. Any ideas for devices or materials that could help out would be appreciated! An idea I had was to use crystals, specifically Neodymium-doped yttrium orthovanadate, which can split an infrared wavelength in half and make it green (i think). I can use the material under the sun to turn all the higher wavelengths into lower to preserve the same light energy, but convert it into lower wavelengths. Issues: not sustainable, probably expensive. Any other similar ideas or ways I can improve on my idea? thanks!

Most commercial LEDs have a spike at 400nm. Do you have a radiometer you can borrow from the physics techs? If not you can check the technical spec sheet before you purchase and check the SPD. You will get low UV and dips in green and red but get your blue spike.

 

[pinball1970]

TL;DR Summary: reproduction, optics, wavelengths, light, sustainability, material, chemistry, earth sciences, microorganisms

hello!
I am trying to make a device that will improve reproduction rates in certain microorganisms that I am studying. They reproduce fastest under shorter wavelengths, specifically best at blue light. Any ideas for devices or materials that could help out would be appreciated! An idea I had was to use crystals, specifically Neodymium-doped yttrium orthovanadate, which can split an infrared wavelength in half and make it green (i think). I can use the material under the sun to turn all the higher wavelengths into lower to preserve the same light energy, but convert it into lower wavelengths. Issues: not sustainable, probably expensive. Any other similar ideas or ways I can improve on my idea? thanks!

These are photosynthetic I take it? What species? @jim mcnamara and @BillTre for their reference.

 

[DaveE]

An idea I had was to use crystals, specifically Neodymium-doped yttrium orthovanadate, which can split an infrared wavelength in half and make it green (i think).

Frequency doubling with nonlinear optics requires very high intensity to have a significant effect, much more than your samples will tolerate.

 

[Baluncore]

You should be able to convert UV to blue, by using a florescent material.

One problem will be directing the scattered light produced, so that it falls where you can use it.

 

[Rive]

I think the simplest solution would be just purchase some batches of LEDs with the appropriate wavelengths (and a driver circuit, of course).

It's not a continuous spectrum, but cheap and stable.

 

[Steve4Physics]

Hi @metz. Out of curiosity, what is the size - e.g. Petri dish or large tank?

 

[Cepacia]

"They reproduce fastest under shorter wavelengths, specifically best at blue light."
can you share your data?

 

[neillup]

Two factors at play here. May I suggest the you first demonstrate your concept by using whatever straightforward, perhaps impractical source of illumination you can find. Then, when you have done that and identified the illumination that you want, you can find and acquire the best way to produce the illumination you want in a practical manner.