Amalgams and compact fluorescent lamps

The small diameter bulb of the compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) creates an inherent thermal problem that influences the control of the mercury vapor pressure. The authors discuss the operating characteristics of fluorescent lamps and provide a brief overview of three techniques that are widely used to control the mercury vapor pressure inside a lamp. A fourth technique, amalgam control, is described in detail. Specifically, the characteristics of two amalgams are described and guidelines are given for amalgam selection. The process by which an amalgam controls the mercury vapor pressure is also explored. Detailed application data are presented that show that an amalgam-based CFL design has advantages over other designs used to control the mercury vapor pressure in compact fluorescent lamps.<>