Characteristics of Fluorescent Lamps

The fluorescent lamp is a new type of light source which produces white or colored light at high efficiencies; furthermore, the spectral quality of white light can be controlled as desired. Although the physics of light production of such lamps is somewhat complicated, necessitating extreme care in the design and manufacture, fluorescent lamps are simple in form and easy to operate. A discussion of the operating equipment, color, spectral distribution, temperature characteristics, phosphorescence, and lamp life represent important features which form this paper.