Sodium lamp

Description

A type of high intensity discharge lamp in which excited sodium vapor is the illumination source. Sodium lamps produce sharp intense emission lines at 589 and 589.6 nm. This gives a bright yellow-orange, glareless light that is used on streets, highways, lobbies, parks, and malls. Sodium vapor lamps have a high initial cost that is offset by long lifetimes and low energy requirements.

Synonyms and Related Terms

sodium arc; sodium vapor lamp; sodium-vapor lamp; sodium-vapour lamp (Br.); high pressure sodium lamp

Resources and Citations

• T.Brill, Light: Its Interaction with Art and Antiquities. Plenum Press, New York, 1980.

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "lamp." (accessed 24 Jan. 2005).