mercury vapor lamps

Mercury vapor lamps are a type of gas-discharge lighting that produce illumination by passing an electric current through mercury vapor inside a sealed tube. When energized, the mercury atoms emit ultraviolet light, which is then converted into visible light by a phosphor coating on the inside of the lamp. These lamps are often used for street lighting, industrial purposes, and large-area illumination because they produce a bright, intense light with good efficiency. However, they contain mercury, a toxic element, so proper handling and disposal are important.