invisible spectrum


in·vis·i·ble spec·trum

the radiation lying on either side of visible light, that is, infrared and ultraviolet light.

invisible spectrum

The portion of the spectrum either below the red (infrared) or above the violet (ultraviolet), which is invisible to the eye, the waves being too long or too short to affect the retina. The invisible spectrum includes rays less than 3900 Å in length (ultraviolet, roentgen or x, gamma, and cosmic rays) and those exceeding 7700 Å in length (infrared, high-frequency oscillations used in short- and long-wave diathermy, radio, hertzian, and very long waves). These range in length from 7700 Å to 5,000,000 m. See also: spectrum