elohopeakaasukolonna

elohopeakaasukolonna, also known as a mercury vapor lamp, is a type of electric discharge lamp that produces light by sending an electric arc through vaporized mercury. This arc excites mercury atoms, causing them to emit ultraviolet radiation, which then strikes a phosphor coating on the inside of the lamp, causing it to fluoresce and produce visible light.

These lamps are known for their high efficiency in converting electrical energy into light, particularly in the blue and green parts of the spectrum. They have a characteristic bluish-white light, though the color can be adjusted by altering the phosphor coating. Early versions had a rather poor color rendering, making it difficult to distinguish colors accurately.

Historically, mercury vapor lamps were widely used for street lighting, industrial lighting, and in some architectural applications due to their long lifespan and efficiency. However, their popularity has declined with the advent of more energy-efficient and better color-rendering technologies such as LED lighting and compact fluorescent lamps.

A significant drawback of mercury vapor lamps is that they contain mercury, a toxic heavy metal. Disposal of these lamps requires special handling to prevent environmental contamination. Additionally, they often require a ballast to regulate the current and voltage, and they typically have a warm-up period before reaching full brightness.