What gives MH its color spectrum?

CodeBlue · 02/23/2006, 01:12 AM

I know that in floresents it is the particular gas in the light which give it a specific color. i.e. 6500k, 10,000k, 20,000k.

What is the reason a MH bulb gives off a certain color spectrum? Is it the shape, length, or material of the filament? Just started thinking about this after a truck with blue headlights came up behind me. I guess I had nothing better to do while driving home tonight.

blgreef · 02/23/2006, 04:59 AM

metal halides do not use a fillamant, they have an open gap that an arc is generated across, the colour is generated by the mix of gases and the salts in the arc tube.

I would think final colour will also depend on the arc tube temp so arc tube design is also important

CodeBlue · 02/23/2006, 11:35 AM

Thanks

02/23/2006, 01:12 AM	#1
CodeBlue Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA Posts: 302	What gives MH its color spectrum? I know that in floresents it is the particular gas in the light which give it a specific color. i.e. 6500k, 10,000k, 20,000k. What is the reason a MH bulb gives off a certain color spectrum? Is it the shape, length, or material of the filament? Just started thinking about this after a truck with blue headlights came up behind me. I guess I had nothing better to do while driving home tonight.

02/23/2006, 04:59 AM	#2
blgreef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Belgium Europe Posts: 526	metal halides do not use a fillamant, they have an open gap that an arc is generated across, the colour is generated by the mix of gases and the salts in the arc tube. I would think final colour will also depend on the arc tube temp so arc tube design is also important

02/23/2006, 11:35 AM	#3
CodeBlue Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA Posts: 302	Thanks