1073 Optoelectronics

Incandescent lamps and neon lamps are common kinds of lamps with various applications. While incandescent lamps are usually used in residential areas for everyday lighting, neon lamps are used in display and signs.

Incandescent lamps produce light by passing electricity through a wire filament. The filament is usually made of tungsten. When electricity passes through it, the filament gains kinetic energy and starts vibrating, releasing radiant energy in the form of visible light. The intensity of light is proportional to the amount of electricity flowing through the filament. Incandescent lamps are easy to install and replace and require little maintenance, and their cost is relatively low. As such, they are commonly used in residential lighting.

Neon lamps are based on a similar principle as incandescent lamps. However, instead of containing a filament, neon lamps contain neon gas filled in a glass tube. All along the tube, two thin electrodes are connected to a power source. When electricity flows through the electrodes, it creates an electric field that ionizes the neon gas, resulting in current flow through the gas and starting glow discharge. The shape of the tubes affects the pattern of the glow discharge and can be used to make elaborate designs. The cost is relatively higher than incandescent lamps, but they can be used for a wide range of applications, such as lighting displays and signs.

In conclusion, both incandescent lamps and neon lamps use electricity to create light. The filament in incandescent lamps gives them a low cost while neon lamps are mainly used for displays and signs due to their exclusive design.