Tips to Choosing Fluorescent Lamp Phosphor Types: Determine Output, Coatings, Processes, Performance

Fluorescent lamp phosphor types are best specified by the desired output characteristics of the lamp rather than by the name brand (manufacturer or trade name) of the phosphor.

There are many different fluorescent lamp phosphor types available. Each phosphor has its own output characteristics and set of advantages and disadvantages in coatings and lamp processes. Some more commonly known phosphor types are Tri-band, Halo phosphate and Full-spectrum phosphors.

Desired fluorescent lamp output characteristics may include: color chromaticity (x,y), lumen output, color rendering index (CRI), Kelvin temperature, and fluorescent lamp output by wavelength. Lamp and phosphor engineers can take the combination of specified performance characteristics and formulate phosphor blends to match the customer’s application requirements.

In some instances, the phosphor may be specified by the chemical name, for example, yttrium oxide which is commonly known as “tri-band red”. This is a fairly specific method to call out a particular phosphor.  However, the same phosphor chemical may be processed differently to produce slightly different output. The spectral output curve may be altered or the overall intensity may vary due to grain size.   This is not unlike the commonly known practice of generic pharmaceuticals!

Some phosphors are produced to match the process characteristics of the lamp manufacturers.  For example, fluorescent lamps produced for specific market segments will often make use of specific phosphor types (rather than brands) and formulations to produce finely-tuned products for those specific applications.   In these cases, the phosphor vendor’s part number(s), descriptions and/or spectral performance provide the most accurate description of the phosphor to ensure lamps with the same repeatable characteristics for phosphor output and maintenance can be produced.

There are other instances where slightly different phosphor types are used, but they have the same overall function. For example, Barium Magnesium Aluminate (BAM) and Strontium calcium barium chlorophosphate (SCAP) are used as Tri-band blue components in many applications.  Often, the same phosphor type may be available from different manufacturers who may use specific brand or trade names yet the actual phosphor component may be different! 

Lamp manufacturers undergo rigorous qualification processes to ensure that the phosphors of the particular type are among the best available.  It is the best approach for the customer to specify the lamp output and/or performance requirements and let the lamp engineers handle the phosphor and lamp engineering details!

LightSources, together with our affiliated companies, represent the foremost high-tech designers and manufacturers in the lamp industry today.  LCD Lighting, our leading affiliate in fluorescent lamps has designed and manufactured thousands of custom fluorescent lamps for virtually every type of OEM lighting application.  Contact us to learn more about our exclusive fluorescent light technology.