Light can be understood as the aspect of radiant energy which an observer perceives through visual sensation, but also as a physical phenomenon. For this, four different models may be used: Light as a collection of light rays; light as an electromagnetic wave; light as a stream of photons; light as fluid of power. Each model has its own use and its own applications. Light rays are straight and infinite narrow, and do not show any smaller detail. They are the basis of geometric optics. Electromagnetic waves and streams of photons appear in duplicity of light. Waves are essential to describe diffraction phenomena. The corpuscular theories of light are essential to describe photoelectric phenomena.
As regards the generation of light, three principles are useful in light applications:
-
Incandence – the basis for incandescent lamps;
-
Recombination of electrons and ions in a plasma – the basis for gas-discharge lamps;
-
Recombination of electrons and holes in a semiconductor – the basis for semiconductor lamps like LEDs.
In this chapter these three major families and their applications will be discussed in considerable detail.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Akutsu, H.; Watarai, Y.; Saito, N. & Mizuno, H. (1984). A new high-pressure sodium lamp with high colour acceptability. Journal of IS (1984) July, p. 341-349.
Anon. (1979). 16. Generalkonferenz für Mass und Gewicht. Paris 1979 (16th General Conference on Measures and Weights; cit.: Hentschel, 1994, p. 37).
Anon. (1986). U.V.-straling; Blootstelling van de mens aan ultraviolette straling (UV Radiation; Exposing human beings to ultraviolet radiation). ’s Gravenhage, Gezondsheidsraad, 1986.
Anon. (1993). Lighting manual. Fifth edition. LIDAC. Eindhoven, Philips, 1993.
Anon. (1993a). The comprehensive lighting catalogue. Edition 3. Borehamwood, Herts., Thorn Lighting Limited, 1993.
Anon. (1996). Sending New Signals. CMO 08, Hewlett Packard, 1996.
Anon. (1997). Philips lichtcatalogus 1997/1998 (Philips lighting catalogue 1997/1998). Eindhoven, Philips Lighting, 1997.
Anon. (2001). Luxjunior. 21 - 23 September 2001, Dörnfeld/Ilmenau. Proceedings. Ilmenau, University, 2001.
Anon. (2002). Right Light 5. 5th conference on energy-efficient lighting, 29-31 May 2002 in Nice, France. Proceedings. Nice, 2002.
Anon. (2003). Lamp catalogue, Iwasaki Denki, Tokyo, 2003.
Anon. (2005). Handboek verlichtingstechniek (Lighting engineering handbook). Loose-leaf edition, 2005 issue. Deventer, Ten Hagen Stam; Den Haag, SDU, 2005.
Anon. (2006). Fluorescent lamps. Wikipedia, internet, 20 December 2006.
Anon. (2006a). Light-emitting diode. Wikipedia, internet, 24 December 2006.
Anon. (2006b). Licht 2006, 17. Lichttechnische Gemeinschafttagung; Bern, September 2006.
Anon. (2007). Lampen; Altijd een oplossing (Lamps, Always a solution). Eindhoven, Van Gansewinkel, product information. Internet, 4 January 2007.
Baer, R. (1990). Beleuchtungstechnik; Grundlagen (Essentials of illuminating engineering). Berlin, VEB Verlag Technik, 1990.
Baer, R., ed. (2006). Beleuchtungstechnik; Grundlagen. 3., vollständig überarteite Auflage (Essentials of illuminating engineering, 3rd., completely new edition). Berlin, Huss-Media, GmbH, 2006.
Barrows, W.E. (1938). Light, photometry and illuminating engineering. New York, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., 1938.
Begemann, T. (2005). Gaat er een lichtje branden? (Is a light beginning to burn?). In: LED 2005, conference, 8 December 2005, Maarssen, the Netherlands, 2005.
Blüh, O. & Elder, J.D. (1955). Principles and applications of physics. Edinburg, Oliver & Boyd, 1955.
Breuer, H. (1994). DTV-Atlas zur Physik. Zwei Bänder, 4.Auflage (DTV atlas on physics, two volumes, 4th edition). München, DTV Verlag, 1994.
Bylund (2002). Energy efficient LED lighting solutions for reduced cost and improved road safety. In: Anon., 2002, p. 15-19.
CIE (1997). Measurement of LED’s. Publication No. 127. Vienna, CIE, 1997.
Clugston, M.J. (1998). The new Penguin dictionary of science. London, Penguin books, 1998.
Daintith, J. & Nelson, R.D. (1989). The Penguin Dictionary of mathematics. London. Penguin Books, 1989.
De Groot, J.J. & Van Vliet, J.A.J.M. (1986). The high-pressure sodium lamp. Deventer, Kluwer, 1986.
Duchêne A.S.; Lakey, J.R.A. & Repacholi, M.H., eds. (1991). IRPA-guidelines on protection against non-ionizing radiation. New York, Pergamon Press, 1991.
Durant, W. (1962). The story of philosophy; The lives and opinions of the greater philosophers. Third paperback printing. New York, Simon and Schuster, 1962.
Durgin, G, (1996). Precision lensing. Traffic Technology International ‘96. New York, Dialight, 1996.
Elenbaas, W., ed. (1959). Fluorescent lamps and lighting. Eindhoven, Philips Technical Library, 1959.
Elenbaas, W., ed. (1965). High pressure mercury vapour lamps and their applications. Eindhoven, Philips Technical Library, 1965.
Einstein, A. & Infeld, L. (1960). The evolution of physics. New edition. New York, Simon & Schuster, Inc., 1960.
Feynman, R. (1990). The character of physical law. Sixteenth printing. Cambridge, Mass. The M.I.T. Press, 1990.
Feynman. R.P.; Leighton, R.B. & Sands, M. (1977). The Feynman lectures on physics. Three volumes. 1963; 6th printing 1977. Reading (Mass.). Addison-Wesley Publishing Company. 1977.
Gladhill, D. (1981). Gas lighting. Shire albums 65. Aylesbury, Shire Publication Ltd., 1981.
Green, M. A. (1986). Solar cells; Operating principles, technology and system applications. University of New South Wales, 1986.
Gribbin, J. (1984). In search of Schrödinger’s cat. London, Bantam, 1984.
Haazebroek, N. (2000). Ontwikkelingen op het gebied van LED lantaarns (Developments regarding LED lanterns). In: NSVV, 2000, p. 70-81.
Heinz, R. (2006). Lichterzeugung mit organischen Werkstoffen; OLEDs für Displays und Allgemein-beleuchtung (Light generation with organic materials: OLEDs for displays and general lighting). In: Anon., 2006b.
Heinz, R. (2006a). Grundlagen der Lichterzeugung, 2. Auflage (Principles of light generation, 2nd edition). Rüthem, Highlight Verlag, 2006.
Heinz, R. & Wachtmann, K. (2001). Innovative Lichtquellen durch LED-Technologie (Innovative light sources by means of LED-technology). In: Anon., 2001, p. 199-207.
Heinz, R. & Wachtmann, K. (2002). LED-Leuchtmittel: moderne Halbleiterstrahlungsquellen im Visier. (LED light sources: looking at modern semiconductor light sources). In: Welk, ed., 2002, p. 34-40.
Hentschel, H.-J. ed. (2002). Licht und Beleuchtung; Grundlagen und Anwendungen der Lichttechnik; 5. neu bearbeitete und erweiterte Auflage (Light and illumination; Theory and applications of lighting engineering; 5th new and extended edition). Heidelberg, Hüthig, 2002.
Hütte (1919). Des Ingenieures Taschenbuch (The manual for engineers). Berlin, Wilhelm Ernst und Sohn, 1919.
Illingworth, V., ed. (1991). The Penguin Dictionary of Physics (second edition). London, Penguin Books, 1991.
Jongenotter, E.; Buijn, H.R.; Rutte, P.J. & Schreuder, D.A. (2000). Nieuwe richting voor wegverlichting (New directions in road lighting). Verkeerskunde, 51 (2000) no 1, January, p. 32-36.
Joos, G. (1947). Theoretical physics (First edition in German 1932). London, Blackie & Sons Limited, 1947.
Keitz, H.A.E. (1967). Lichtmessungen und Lichtberechnungen. 2e. Auflage (The measurement and calculation of light. Second edition). Eindhoven, Philips Technische Bibliotheek, 1967.
Kittel, C. (1986) Introduction to solid state physics. Sixth edition. New York. John Wiley & Sons, 1986.
Kuchling, H. (1995). Taschenbuch der Physik, 15. Auflage (Survey of physics, 15th edition). Leipzig-Köln, Fachbuchverlag, 1995.
Lafferty, P. & Rowe, J, eds. (1994). Dictionary of science. London, Brockhampton Press, 1994.
Longhurst, R.S. (1964). Geometrical and physical optics (fifth impression). London, Longmans, 1964.
Lusche, D. (2001). Licht und Gesundheit (Light and health). VITT, IN 1/2001.
Meyer, Chr. & Nienhuis, H. (1988). Discharge lamps. Philips Technical Library. Deventer, Kluwer, 1988.
Mills, E. (1999). Fuel-based light: Large CO2 source. IAEEL Newsletter 8 (1999) no 2, p. 2-9.
Minnaert, M. (1942). De natuurkunde van ‘t vrije veld, derde druk (The physics of the open air, third edition). Zutphen, Thieme, 1942.
Moon, P. (1961). The scientific basis of illuminating engineering (revised edition). New York, Dover Publications, Inc., 1961.
Narisada, K. & Schreuder, D.A. (2004). Light pollution handbook. Dordrecht, Springer, 2004. Nichia Company (2000). White LED data (year estimated).
NSVV (2000). Het Nationale Lichtcongres 2000 (The National Light Conference 2000). Arnhem, NSVV, 2000.
NSVV (2003). Licht en gezondheid voor werkenden; Aanbeveling (Light and health for workers; Recommendation). Arnhem, NSVV, 2003.
NSVV (2003a). Het Nationale Lichtcongres. Ede, 12 november 2003; Syllabus (The National Light Conference. Ede, 12 November 2003; Proceedings). Arnhem, NSVV, 2003.
Oranje, P.J. (1942). Gasontladingslampen (Gas-discharge lamps). Amsterdam, Meulenhoff, 1942.
Patlite (2002). Sasaki Information sheet. Catalogue no. 157. Osaka, 2002 (year estimated).
Prins, J.A. (1945). Grondbeginselen van de hedendaagse natuurkunde, vierde druk (Fundaments of modern physics, 4th edition). Groningen, J.B. Wolters, 1945.
Ris, H.R. (1992). Beleuchtungstechnik für Praktiker (Practical illuminating engineering). Berlin, Offenbach, VDE-Verlag GmbH, 1992.
Schoon, C.C. & Schreuder, D.A. (1993). HID car headlights and road safety; A state-of-the-art report on high-pressure gas-discharge lamps with an examination of the application of UV radiation and polarised light. R-93-70. Leidschendam, SWOV, 1993.
Schreuder, D.A. (1997). The functional characteristics of road and tunnel lighting. Paper presented to the Israel National Committee on Illumination on Tuesday, 25 March 1997 at the Association of Engineers and Architects in Tel Aviv. Leidschendam, Duco Schreuder Consultancies, 1997.
Schreuder, D.A. (1997a). Visibility aspects of matrix signals. Note for Technion, Haifa, Israel. Leidschendam, Duco Schreuder Consultancies, 1997.
Schreuder, D.A. (1997b). A comparison between fi ber optics (FO) and Light Emitting Diodes (LED) for variable message signs. Note for discussion at Netivei Ayalon on Monday, 24 March 1997 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Leidschendam, Duco Schreuder Consultancies, 1997.
Schreuder, D.A. (1998). Road lighting for safety. London, Thomas Telford, 1998. (Translation of: Schreuder, D.A., Openbare verlichting voor verkeer en veiligheid. Deventer, Kluwer Techniek, 1996).
Schreuder, D.A. (1998a). Functie en markt van autonome photo-voltaische openbare verlichting. Studie verricht voor Ecofys (Function and market for autonomous photo-voltaic public lighting. A study made for Ecofys). Leidschendam, Duco Schreuder Consultancies, 1998.
Schreuder, D.A. (1999). De invloed van vervuiling op de lichtsterkte van verkeerslantaarns; Een overzicht van de literatuur (The influence of dirt on the light intensity of traffic lights; A survey of the literature). Leidschendam, Duco Schreuder Consultancies, 1999.
Schreuder, D.A. (2001). Energy efficient domestic lighting for developing countries. Paper prepared for presentation at The “International Conference on Lighting Efficiency: Higher performance at Lower Costs” to be held on 19-21 January, 2001 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, organised by the Illumination Society of Bangladesh. Leidschendam, Duco Schreuder Consultancies, 2001.
Schreuder, D.A. (2001a). Principles of Cityscape Lighting applied to Europe and Asia. Paper presented at International Lightscape Conference ICiL 2001, 13 - 14 November 2001, Shanghai, P.R. China. Leidschendam, Duco Schreuder Consultancies, 2001.
Schreuder, D.A. (2004). Verlichting thuis voor de allerarmsten (Home lighting for the very poor). NSVV Nationaal Lichtcongres 11 november 2004. Arnhem, NSVV, 2004. Leidschendam, Duco Schreuder Consultancies, 2004.
Schreuder, D.A. (2005). Domestic lighting for developing countries. Prepared for publication in: UNESCO - A world of science, Paris, France. Leidschendam, Duco Schreuder Consultancies, 2005.
Schreuder, D.A. (2006). De zichtbaarheid van verkeerslichten uitgerust met Light Emitting Diodes; Interimrapport, 1 december 2006 (The visibility of traffic lights with LEDs; Interim Report, 1 December 2006). Leidschendam, Duco Schreuder Consultancies, 2006 (Not published).
Stath, N, (2006). Anorganische LEDs; Innovationen bei Halbleiter-Lichtquellen (Anorganic LEDs; Innovations in semiconductor light sources). In: Anon., 2006b.
Stanford (2006). Specification of mixed trichromatic phosphors for fluorescent lamps: LPTB 28; LPTB 50. Internet, 20 December 2006.
Sterken, C. & Manfroid, J. (1992). Astronomical photometry. Dordrecht, Kluwer, 1992.
Van den Beld, G. (2003). Aanbevelingen en aandachtspunten voor gezonde verlichting (Recommendations and points of interest of healthy lighting). In NSVV, 2003a, p. 66-72.
Van Heel, A.C.S. (1950). Inleiding in de optica; derde druk (Introduction into optics; third edition). Den Haag, Martinus Nijhoff, 1950.
Van Ooyen, M.H.F. (2005). Lichtbronnen en hulpapparatuur, herziene uitgave (Light sources and supporting gear, revised edition). Section 1.5. In: Anon., 2005.
Vermeulen, J. (2000). Personal communication.
Visser, R. (2000). LED’s. p. 20 -29 in: Het Nationale Lichtcongres 2000. Arnhem, NSVV, 2000.
Visser, R. (2005). LEP’s of OLED’s (LEPs or OLEDs). Sec. 1.5.6.5. In: Anon., 2005.
Von Weizsäcker, C. F. (2006). The structure of Physics (Edited, revised and enlarged by Görnitz, T., and Lyre, H.). Dordrecht, Springer, 2006.
Vos, J.J.; Walraven, J. & Van Meeteren, A. (1976). Light profiles of the foveal image of a point source. Vision Research, 16 (1976) 215-219.
Wachter, A. & Hoeber, H. (2006). Compendium of theoretical physics (Translated from the German edition). New York, Springer Science+Business Media, Inc., 2006.
Welk, R., ed. (2002). Lichtlösung mit Leuchtdioden (Lighting solutions with light diodes). Licht Special 3. München, Richard Pflaum Verlag, 2002.
Worthing (1926). Physical Review, 28 (1926) 174.
Würfel, P. (1995). Physik der Solarzellen (Physics of solar cells). Heidelberg, Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, 1995.
Zandvliet, P. & Van Geldermalsen (2002). Seeing the light; LED2 signal lamps, the new standard? Rijkswaterstaat, Information sheet, Case study (Year estimated).
Zilles, R.; Lorenzo, E. & Serpa, P. (2000). From candles to photovoltaics: A four-year experience at Iguape-Cananeia, Brazil. Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications. 8 (2000) 17 August, issue 4, p. 421-434.
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2008 Springer Science + Business Media B.V
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
(2008). Physical aspects of light production. In: Outdoor Lighting: Physics, Vision and Perception. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8602-1_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8602-1_2
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-8601-4
Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-8602-1
eBook Packages: Physics and AstronomyPhysics and Astronomy (R0)