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Cold light from hot atoms

Published

Author(s)

John J. Curry, G G. Lister

Abstract

The introduction of rare earth atoms and molecules into lighting discharges led to great advances in efficacy of these lamps. Atoms such as Dy, Ho and Ce provide excellent radiation sources for lighting applications1, with strong radiation bands in the visible spectrum, such that a suitable combination of these elements can provide high quality white light. Rare earth molecules have also proved important in enhancing the radiation spectrum from phosphors in fluorescent lamps. This paper reviews some of the current aspects of lighting research, particularly rare earth chemistry and radiation, and the associated fundamental atomic and molecular data requirements.
Citation
Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Atomic and Molecular Data and Their Applications
Volume
1344
Publisher Info
American Institute of Physics, Melville, NY

Keywords

discharge lamps, light sources, radiation, rare-earth atoms

Citation

Curry, J. and Lister, G. (2011), Cold light from hot atoms, American Institute of Physics, Melville, NY (Accessed March 28, 2024)
Created January 1, 2011, Updated February 19, 2017