Wood's lamp (w dz)n. An ultraviolet lamp with a nickel oxide filter that only allows light with a maximal wavelength of about 3660 angstroms to be emitted; it is used to detect hairs that are infected with Microsporum fungi. |
Wood's lamp
Etymology: Robert W. Wood, American physicist, 1868-1955; AS, glaes
an illuminating device with a nickel oxide filter that holds back all light except for a few violet rays of the visible spectrum and ultraviolet wavelengths of about 365 nm. It is used extensively to help diagnose fungus infections of the scalp and erythrasma. The light causes hairs infected with a fungus such as Tinea capitis to become brilliantly fluorescent. Also called black light.
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