Low-pressure indium-halide discharges for fluorescent illumination applications

Abstract

Low-pressure gas discharges of molecular radiators were studied for fluorescent lighting applications with a goal of reducing the energy loss due to the large Stokes shift in phosphors of conventional mercury-based fluorescent lamp technology. Indium halides (InCl, InBr, and InI) were chosen as the molecular radiators that generate ultraviolet to blue light emissions. The electrical characteristics and optical emission intensities were measured in discharges containing gaseous indium halides (InCl, InBr, and InI) as molecular radiators. The low-pressure discharges in indium halide vapor showed potential as a highly efficient gas discharge system for fluorescent lighting application.