Metal “additives” inside mercury vapor lamps
shift the lamp’s output to different wavelengths. Iron
is the most common additive, releasing much energy in the
400-420 nanometer range. Peak output for a standard mercury
vapor lamp is 365 nm. Other additives commonly used are gallium,
indium, thallium and cadmium. Additive lamps require a special
ballast and an ignitor. Additive lamp ballasts also will operate
standard mercury vapor lamps with slight modifications.
Please review the spectral lamp
output charts. The additive lamp output does not have
as many “peaks” as the standard mercury lamp.
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