Low-Pressure Mercury-Vapor Gas-Discharge Lamp
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A Low-Pressure Mercury-Vapor Gas-Discharge Lamp is a gas-discharge lamp that uses low-pressure mercury vapor to produce light through the process of gas discharge and fluorescence.
- Context:
- It can (typically) operate by passing an electric current through low-pressure mercury vapor, which generates ultraviolet light.
- It can (often) require a phosphor coating on the inside of the lamp to convert ultraviolet light into visible light.
- It can (often) be used in a variety of applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial lighting, due to its energy efficiency and longevity.
- It can (typically) include lamps such as fluorescent lamps and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), which are common examples of this technology.
- It can be more energy-efficient compared to incandescent bulbs, as it converts a higher percentage of electrical energy into visible light.
- It can (often) require an electrical ballast to regulate the current and ensure proper operation of the lamp.
- It can emit a wide range of light colors, depending on the composition of the phosphor coating used inside the lamp.
- It can be subject to recycling and disposal regulations due to the presence of mercury, a toxic substance that requires careful handling.
- It can be sensitive to ambient temperature, with performance and light output varying in different environmental conditions.
- It can be used in specific applications such as blacklight lamps, where ultraviolet light is desired for special effects or scientific purposes.
- ...
- Example(s):
- a Fluorescent Lamp (a common type of low-pressure mercury-vapor gas-discharge lamp), widely used for general lighting purposes.
- a Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) (a smaller, energy-efficient version of the fluorescent lamp), commonly used in homes as a replacement for incandescent bulbs.
- a Blacklight Lamp (a specialized lamp designed to emit ultraviolet light), used in various applications such as forensic analysis and artistic displays.
- ...
- Counter-Example(s):
- a High-Pressure Mercury-Vapor Lamp, which operates under high pressure and is used in different applications, such as street lighting.
- a Neon Sign, which uses neon gas instead of mercury vapor and emits light in a different spectrum.
- a LED Lamp, which does not rely on gas discharge but rather on light-emitting diodes to produce light.
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- See: Fluorescent Lamp, Compact Fluorescent Lamp, Gas-Discharge Lamp, Phosphor, Mercury, Ultraviolet, Electrical Ballast