Well I was hoping maybe somebody here could explain how a xenon lamp functions? I'm familair with how halogens work, by recycling tungston, and how kryptons work (just inert gas instead of vacuum), but from what I've seen it appears xenon would be anything but ideal for an incan bulb as its used in lasers and HID systems. So whats the deal with these xenon bulbs on the market now? i've used a few and some are killer and some just suck, so I'm real curious.
Xenon?
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mdocod
Flashaholic
As I understand it, all xenon bulbs (or most) are also technically halogen lamps. A "halogen bulb" seems to be kind of a loose term in the industry, as it pertains to any bulb that happens to have halogen in the fill gas mixture.
So, as I understand it, most bulbs labeled "xenon" or "krypton" contain xenon and krypton as a component in their delicate balance of inert heavy fill gases, halogen included.
disclaimer: this could all be wrong.
[edit in]
also... The reason xenon is *good* for bulbs, is that it is the densest fill gas commonly available. The more pressure and density of the fill gas, the less likely tungsten is to "evaporate" in the first place. So by combining ideal quantities of halogen and xenon (and whatever else, nitrogen maybe? at high pressures, they are getting a combination effect, the high pressure and high density of the fill gas "holds" the tungsten in place better, but with a halogen cycle in effect to attempt to re-deposit tungsten that does evaporate.
So, as I understand it, most bulbs labeled "xenon" or "krypton" contain xenon and krypton as a component in their delicate balance of inert heavy fill gases, halogen included.
disclaimer: this could all be wrong.
[edit in]
also... The reason xenon is *good* for bulbs, is that it is the densest fill gas commonly available. The more pressure and density of the fill gas, the less likely tungsten is to "evaporate" in the first place. So by combining ideal quantities of halogen and xenon (and whatever else, nitrogen maybe? at high pressures, they are getting a combination effect, the high pressure and high density of the fill gas "holds" the tungsten in place better, but with a halogen cycle in effect to attempt to re-deposit tungsten that does evaporate.
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as mdocod already states: dont mix up different technique
* there are "normal" hotwire bulbs using wires
(with different gases inside, I like Krypton most, as it seems the most white. Halogen the least as these bulbs are often yellow - but these also are usually the cheaper and common type, so ...)
* and there are "Xenon" bulbs like the ones in cars = HID
these simply have a gap between the 2 contacts inside a very small glass ball filled with high pressure xenon gas. A circuit ("ballast") forces voltage higher and makes a steady standing "flash" inside the ball, this produces the light
... and to make if difficult finally: usually cheap hotwires use the "xenon" for marketing and selling them.
Technically right (if there is Xenon inside the bulb) but not "Xenon" in the sense of HID.
* there are "normal" hotwire bulbs using wires
(with different gases inside, I like Krypton most, as it seems the most white. Halogen the least as these bulbs are often yellow - but these also are usually the cheaper and common type, so ...)
* and there are "Xenon" bulbs like the ones in cars = HID
these simply have a gap between the 2 contacts inside a very small glass ball filled with high pressure xenon gas. A circuit ("ballast") forces voltage higher and makes a steady standing "flash" inside the ball, this produces the light
... and to make if difficult finally: usually cheap hotwires use the "xenon" for marketing and selling them.
Technically right (if there is Xenon inside the bulb) but not "Xenon" in the sense of HID.
I usually use the term "xenon/halogen" when referring to high pressure incan xenon bulbs. But yes, the typical xenon bulbs you hear about also have halogen in them, such as the ones for Sure-Fires.
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Size15's
Flashaholic
Incandescent lamps generate light by passing electricity through a tungsten filament (usually coiled).
High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps generate light by passing electricity through a gas (mostly Xenon) causing it to ionise - creating an 'arc' between the two electrodes.
Both incandescent and HID lamps can use Xenon gas.
In the automotive world "Xenons" is the 'slang' term for HID headlamps.
In the flashlight world "Xenon" lamps are incandescent lamps.
Xenon is the best gas to use (compared to Krypton, and Argon). The purpose of using one of these gases is to help prevent the filament from 'boiling off' - when high pressure Xenon gas is used the filament can be made to be brighter and whiter.
Halogen lamps are incandescent lamps. A mix of Halogens (gases) is used to help recycle tungsten that has boiled off and redeposit it back onto the filament. Using Halogen gas effectively prevents the bulb from darkening allowing brighter whiter light for longer.
Some lamps use both Xenon and Halogen mix - in many cases this results in the whitest, brightest light output and longer bulb life.
SureFire explains things here
High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps generate light by passing electricity through a gas (mostly Xenon) causing it to ionise - creating an 'arc' between the two electrodes.
Both incandescent and HID lamps can use Xenon gas.
In the automotive world "Xenons" is the 'slang' term for HID headlamps.
In the flashlight world "Xenon" lamps are incandescent lamps.
Xenon is the best gas to use (compared to Krypton, and Argon). The purpose of using one of these gases is to help prevent the filament from 'boiling off' - when high pressure Xenon gas is used the filament can be made to be brighter and whiter.
Halogen lamps are incandescent lamps. A mix of Halogens (gases) is used to help recycle tungsten that has boiled off and redeposit it back onto the filament. Using Halogen gas effectively prevents the bulb from darkening allowing brighter whiter light for longer.
Some lamps use both Xenon and Halogen mix - in many cases this results in the whitest, brightest light output and longer bulb life.
SureFire explains things here
DM51
Flashaholic
Xenon is extremely scarce and therefore very expensive indeed, which is the only reason it is not more widely used.
dlrflyer
Newly Enlightened
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Size15 pretty much hit the nail on the head. The Noble gases act as a barrier for the evaporated tungsten, since Noble gasses can't combine with other elements/atoms to make molecules, no free electrons sorta thing. The higher up the periodic chart, the more effective barrier. Xenon is higher than Krypton, which is higher than Argon. Halogen, as you know, once heated up, returns the evaporated Tungsten back to the filament. As I understand, Halogen bulbs almost always use some Xenon in the fill, but not all Xenon bulbs contain Halogen, in fact if called Xenon, you can bet there is no Halogen in the fill.
Thanks! You guys have been really helpful.
I'm familar with the difference between HID and halogen, just did not know where 'xenon' fit in. It seems in the halogen world it simply works "better" than other, more common, gases due to various properties of the xenon gas.
I'm familar with the difference between HID and halogen, just did not know where 'xenon' fit in. It seems in the halogen world it simply works "better" than other, more common, gases due to various properties of the xenon gas.
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