Gas-Discharge Lamp

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A Gas-Discharge Lamp is an electric lamp that generates light by passing an electric discharge through an ionized gas, causing the gas to emit photons.

  • Context:
    • It can (typically) operate by applying a high voltage across the lamp, which ionizes the gas inside and creates a flow of electric current.
    • It can (often) involve various types of gases, such as mercury vapor, neon, xenon, or sodium vapor, each producing different colors and intensities of light.
    • It can (often) require an electrical ballast to regulate the current passing through the gas, ensuring stable operation and preventing damage to the lamp.
    • ...
    • It can range from low-pressure systems, like fluorescent lamps, to high-pressure systems, such as high-pressure sodium lamps, affecting the brightness and color of the light emitted.
    • ...
    • It can be used in a wide variety of applications, including street lighting, signage, photography, and industrial lighting, where efficiency and specific light characteristics are important.
    • It can emit light in various parts of the spectrum, including visible, ultraviolet, and infrared, depending on the gas used and the design of the lamp.
    • It can be sensitive to ambient temperature and pressure, which can influence the lamp's performance and the color of the emitted light.
    • It can have a longer lifespan compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, but it may require special handling and disposal due to the presence of hazardous materials like mercury.
    • It can be designed in various forms, including tubes, bulbs, and specialized shapes for specific applications like neon signs or high-intensity discharge lamps.
    • It can (often) be used in environments where high-intensity light is needed, such as sports arenas, highways, and commercial settings.
    • ...
  • Example(s):
  • Counter-Example(s):
    • an Incandescent Light Bulb, which produces light by heating a filament until it glows, rather than using gas discharge.
    • an LED Lamp, which uses light-emitting diodes to produce light and operates through a completely different mechanism than gas-discharge lamps.
    • a Halogen Lamp, which is an enhanced version of the incandescent lamp, using a halogen gas to increase efficiency and lifespan.
  • See: Fluorescent Lamp, Neon Sign, High-Pressure Sodium Lamp, Electrical Ballast, Ionization, Mercury Vapor Lamp, High-Intensity Discharge Lamp


References