Fluorescent luminaires - what don't we know about them?

Most likely, when you wake up in the middle of the night and get confused in the dark, only the luminescent dial of your watch can orient you. We are used to looking for fluorescent light when all other light sources are absent. However, we also often have fully fluorescent lighting in our homes, such as ceiling lights, recessed lights, etc. This technology is commonly used, yet little known. Let's see what we don't know about it and how it is different from the others.

What is luminescence?

The term means to "emit light". Many naturally luminous bodies produce light because they have energy that originally came from the Sun. If a body emits light that is produced by heating, such as an incandescent light bulb, then it is not correct to use the term luminescence for it. Luminescent bodies emit light when their atoms are excited in a process that needs little or no heat. 

What is the difference between luminescence, fluorescence, and phosphorescence?

Fluorescent materials produce light instantly when the atoms inside them absorb energy and become "excited". When the atoms return to their normal state, in just a hundred thousandths of a second, they release the energy that excited them as tiny particles of light called photons. 

Fun fact: There is, for example, invisible ink that only becomes visible when illuminated by ultraviolet (UV) light. It is made of fluorescent chemicals that absorb the energy from UV light and release the energy as photons of visible light. When you turn off the UV light, the ink disappears again. 

Fluorescence is the process by which energy-saving lamps produce light. However, it is slightly different from phosphorescence.

Phosphorescent materials act in much the same way as fluorescent, except that there is a delay between the absorption of energy and the emission of light. Sometimes the phosphorescence lasts for several seconds after the removal of the stimulating energy.


What other types of luminescence exist?

Depending on the type of energy that causes different objects to emit light, luminescence differs. This energy can be light, heat, sound, etc.

  • Bioluminescence, for example, is found in living things such as fireflies, worms, and sea creatures.
  • Chemoluminescence is produced by a chemical reaction. Glow sticks at concerts work this way.
  • Electroluminescence are practically lamps powered by electricity or gas.
  • Photoluminescence is the light from phosphorescent paints.
  • X-ray luminescence is the light produced by shining X-rays.
  • Sonoluminescence is produced when energetic sound waves pass through liquids.
  • Thermoluminescence occurs when photons are emitted from hot materials.
  • Triboluminescence is when crystals are rubbed, scratched, or physically deformed.
  • What distinguishes fluorescent luminaires?

It will hardly surprise you if we mention that fluorescent luminaires can be as diverse as shape and size. Most often they are hung close to the ceiling and cast a strong light into the room, just like any other type of large chandelier. They are usually used for main lighting. You can find such lamps in any public building, hospital, office building, etc. Fluorescent fixtures are also built into the ceilings themselves.

Definitely fluorescent light has a psychological impact on the body. According to studies, it affects alertness and motivation. Bright light is associated with activity, potency and valence. However, experimental results suggest a psychological rather than biological effect of lighting.

Much to their surprise, the tests showed that fluorescent lighting did not affect the emotional state of the occupants. Until now, subjective alertness was always thought to be determined by the illuminance of the eye.

To conclude

Fluorescent lamps are an integral part of the lighting fixtures we have been using for years. Although they are not the latest and most advanced technology, they have their positives and can contribute a lot to creating a working environment and appropriate alertness. Nature has provided us with many different ways to create light, and fluorescent fixtures are just one lighting option.







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