Method and device for efficiently generating white light with good rendition of illuminated objects

• US 4,176,294 A
• Filed: 12/03/1976
• Issued: 11/27/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: North American Philips Electric Corp (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation (Paramount Global (f/k/a ViacomCBS Inc.))
• Inventors: Thornton, William A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Segal, Robert
• Application Number:
  US05/747,141
• Time in Patent Office: 1,089 Days
• Field of Search: 313/468
• US Class Current: 313/485
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 11/666 Aluminates; Silicates
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 11/7739 with halogens
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 11/7787 Oxides C09K11/7785 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/35 provided with coatings on the walls thereof; Selection of materials for the coatings using coloured coatings H01J61/40; using luminescent coatings H01J61/42
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/42 by transforming the wavelength of the light by luminescence
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/44 Devices characterised by the luminescent material
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 65/048 the field being produced by using an excitation coil
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 25/0753 the devices being arranged next to each other
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/00 Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps

Abstract

Method and device for efficiently generating white light with good color rendition of illuminated objects. This is achieved by blending three different colors of light, namely, a green to yellow-green color of light, an orange to red color of light, and a purplish-blue to greenish-blue color of light. The relative intensities of the blended colors of light are selected to produce white light of predetermined ICI coordinates. The resulting blended light has at most only a limited amount of radiations of a wavelength shorter than 430 nm and at most only a limited amount of radiations of a wavelength longer than 630 nm. Also, the blended light has at most only a limited amount of radiations of a wavelength of about 575 nm and at most only a limited amount of radiations of a wavelength of about 500 nm.

Claims

1. A device which efficiently generates white light and illuminates objects with a color appearance which is reasonably representative of their color appearance under natural light, said device comprising:

(a) a three-component, light-generating medium forming an operative part of said device;

(b) means for connecting said device to a source of predetermined electric potential to energize said medium to a visible-light-generating condition;

(c) a first component of said medium when energized exhibiting a green to yellow-green emission located substantially in the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm;

(d) a second component of said medium when energized exhibiting an orange to red emission located substantially in the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm;

(e) the third component of said medium when energized enhibiting a purplish-blue to greenish-blue emission located substantially in the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm; and

(f) the relative proportions of said components of said light-producing medium being such that when their emissions are blended, there is produced white light of predetermined ICI coordinates.

2. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein,

(a) said first component of said medium when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwidth of less than about 80 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof and substantially located centered within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm,

(b) said second component of said medium when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwith of less than about 40 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, and

(c) said other remaining component of said medium when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwith of less than about 40 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm.

3. The device as specified in claim 1, wherein said light-generating medium comprises an envelope-enclosed, discharge sustaining substance and a phosphor material coated onto the surface of said envelope.

4. The device as specified in claim 1, wherein said light-generating medium comprises electroluminescent phosphor operatively positioned between electrodes.

5. The device as specified in claim 1, wherein said light-generating medium comprises solid-state junctions.

6. The device as specified in claim 1, wherein said light-generating medium comprises an envelope-enclosed, visible-light-generating, discharge-sustaining substance and a phosphor coated onto said envelope, and an RF coil surrounding said envelope for energizing said discharge-sustaining substance.

7. The device as specified in claim 1, wherein said light-generating medium comprises an envelope-enclosed, visible-light-generating, discharge-sustaining substance, and an RF coil surrounding said envelope for energizing said discharge-sustaining substance.

8. A fluorescent discharge device comprising:

(a) a sealed, elongated, light-transmitting envelope;

(b) electrodes operatively positioned proximate each end of said envelope and adapted to be connected to a source of energizing potential;

(c) a discharge-sustaining filling comprising mercury and inert gas contained within said envelope, and said device adapted to be operated with a predetermined power input to sustain a gas discharge therein which generates ultraviolet radiations and some blue radiations;

(d) finely divided phosphor material coated onto the interior surface of said envelope, said phosphor comprising a three-component mixture of different phosphors;

(e) a first component of said phosphor when energized by said ultraviolet radiations exhibiting a greenish to yellow-green emission substantially located in the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm;

(f) a second component of said phosphor when energized by said ultraviolet radiations exhibiting an orange to red emission substantially located in the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm;

(g) the third component of said phosphor when energized by said ultraviolet radiations exhibiting purplish-blue to greenish-blue emission substantially located in the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm; and

(h) the relative proportions of said light-producing phosphors being such that when their emissions are blended with the blue emission generated by said discharge, there is produced white light of predetermined ICI coordinates.

9. The device as specified in claim 8 wherein,

(a) said first component of said phosphor when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwidth of less than about 80 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm,

(b) said second component of said phosphor when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwidth of less than about 40 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, and

(c) said third component of said phosphor when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwidth of less than about 40 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof, and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm.

10. The fluorescent discharge device as specified in claim 8, wherein said third component of said phosphor is strontium chloro-apatite activated by divalent europium, said first component of said phosphor is calcium larsenite, and said second component of said phosphor is yttrium oxide activated by tervalent europium, with the weight ratios of said phorphor components being about 17:

58;

25, respectively.

11. A fluorescent discharge device comprising:

(a) a sealed, elongated, light-transmitting envelope;

(b) electrodes operatively positioned proximate each end of said envelope and adapted to be connected to a source of energizing potential;

(c) a discharge-sustaining filling comprising mercury and inert gas contained within said envelope, and said device adapted to be operated with a predetermined power input to sustain a gas discharge therein which generates ultraviolet radiations and some blue radiations;

(d) finely divided phosphor material coated onto the interior surface of said envelope, said phosphor material consisting essentially of a three-component mixture of different phosphors;

(e) a first component of said phosphor material when energized by said ultraviolet radiations exhibiting a greenish to yellow-green emission substantially located in the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm;

(f) a second component of said phosphor material when energized by said ultraviolet radiations exhibiting an orange to red emission substantially located in the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm;

(g) the third component of said phosphor material when energized by said ultraviolet radiations exhibiting purplish-blue to greenish-blue emission substantially located in the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm; and

(h) the relative proportions of said components of said phosphor material being such that when their emissions are blended with the blue emission generated by said discharge, there is produced white light of predetermined ICI coordinates.

12. The device as specified in claim 11 wherein,

(a) said first component of said phosphor material when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwidth of less than about 80 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm,

(b) said second component of said phosphor material when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwith of less than about 40 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, and

(c) said third component of said phosphor material when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwidth of less than about 40 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof, and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm.

13. The fluorescent discharge device as specified in claim 11, wherein said third component of said phosphor material is strontium chloro-apatite activated by divalent europium, said first component of said phosphor material is calcium larsenite, and said second component of said phosphor material is yttrium oxide activated by tervalent europium, with the weight ratios of said phosphor components being about 17:

58;

25, respectively.

14. The fluorescent discharge device as specified in claim 13, wherein said strontium chloro-apatite has the formulation Sr₅ (PO₄)₃ Cl:

Eu²⁺, where Eu is from 3.5×

10^-3 to 3.5×

10^-2, said calcium larsenite has the formulation Zn₄ Ca₃ Pb₁ Si₄ O₁₆ ;

Mn, and said yttrium oxide has the formulation Y₂ O₃ ;

Eu³⁺, where the gram-atom ratio of Eu to Y is from 0.07;

1 to 0.0825;

1.

15. A device which efficiently generates white light and illuminates objects with a color appearance which is reasonably representative of their color appearance under natural light, said device comprising:

(a) a three-component, light-generating medium forming an operative part of said device;

(b) means for connecting said device to a source of predetermined electric potential to energize said medium to a visible-light-generating condition;

(c) a first component of said medium when energized exhibiting a green to yellow-green emission located substantially in the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm;

(d) a second component of said medium when energized exhibiting an orange to red emission located substantially in the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm;

(e) the third component of said medium when energized exhibiting a purplish-blue to greenish-blue emission located substantially in the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm; and

(f) the relative proportions and respective emissions of said components of said light-producing medium being such that when their emissions are blended, there is produced white light of predetermined ICI coordinates with at most only a limited amount of radiations of wavelengths shorter than 430 nm and longer than 630 nm as well as at most only a limited amount of radiations of wavelengths of about 500 nm and about 575 nm.

16. The device as specified in claim 15 wherein,

(a) said first component of said medium when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwidth of less than about 80 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm,

(b) said second component of said medium when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwidth of less than about 40 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, and

(c) said other remaining component of said medium when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwidth of less than about 40 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm.

17. The device as specified in claim 15, wherein said light-generating medium comprises an envelope-enclosed, discharge sustaining substance and a phosphor material coated onto the surface of said envelope.

18. The device as specified in claim 15, wherein said light-generating medium comprises electroluminescent phosphor operatively positioned between electrodes.

19. The device as specified in claim 15, wherein said light-generating medium comprises solid-state junctions.

20. The device as specified in claim 15, wherein said light-generating medium comprises an envelope-enclosed, visible-light-generating, discharge-sustaining substance and a phosphor coated onto said envelope, and an RF coil surrounding said envelope for energizing said discharge-sustaining substance.

21. The device as specified in claim 15, wherein said light-generating medium comprises an envelope-enclosed, visible-light-generating, discharge-sustaining substance, and an RF coil surrounding said envelope for energizing said discharge-sustaining substance.

22. A fluorescent discharge device comprising:

(a) a sealed, elongated, light-transmitting envelope;

(b) electrodes operatively positioned proximate each end of said envelope and adapted to be connected to a source of energizing potential;

(c) a discharge-sustaining filling comprising mercury and inert gas contained within said envelope, and said device adapted to be operated with a predetermined power input to sustain a gas discharge therein which generates ultraviolet radiations and some blue radiations;

(d) finely divided phosphor material coated onto the interior surface of said envelope, said phosphor comprising a three-component mixture of different phosphors;

(e) a first component of said phosphor when energized by said ultraviolet radiations exhibiting a greenish to yellow-green emission substantially located in the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm;

(f) a second component of said phosphor when energized by said ultraviolet radiations exhibiting an orange to red emission substantially located in the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm;

(g) the third component of said phosphor when energized by said ultraviolet radiations exhibiting purplish-blue to greenish-blue emission substantially located in the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm; and

(h) the relative proportions and respective emissions of said light-producing phosphors being such that when their emissions are blended with the blue emission generated by said discharge, there is produced white light of predetermined ICI coordinates with at most only a limited amount of radiations of wavelengths shorter than 430 nm and longer than 630 nm as well as at most only a limited amount of radiations of wavelengths of about 500 nm and about 575 nm.

23. The device as specified in claim 22 wherein,

(a) said first component of said phosphor when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwidth of less than about 80 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm,

(b) said second component of said phosphor when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwidth of less than about 40 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, and

(c) said third component of said phosphor when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwidth of less than about 40 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measure emission intensity thereof, and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm.

24. A fluorescent discharge device comprising:

(a) a sealed, elongated, light-transmitting envelope;

(b) electrodes operatively positioned proximate each end of said envelope and adapted to be connected to a source of energizing potential;

(c) a discharge-sustaining filling comprising mercury and inert gas contained within said envelope, and said device adapted to be operated with a predetermined power input to sustain a gas discharge therein which generates ultraviolet radiations and some blue radiations;

(d) finely divided phosphor material coated onto the interior surface of said envelope, said phosphor material consisting essentially of a three-component mixture of different phosphors;

(e) a first component of said phosphor material when energized by said ultraviolet radiations exhibiting a greenish to yellow-green emission substantially located in the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm;

(f) a second component of said phosphor material when energized by said ultraviolet radiations exhibiting an orange to red emission substantially located in the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm;

(g) the third component of said phosphor material when energized by said ultraviolet radiations exhibiting purplish-blue to greenish-blue emissions substantially located in the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm; and

(h) the relative proportions and respective emissions of said components of said phosphor material being such that when their emissions are blended with the blue emission generated by said discharge, there is produced white light of predetermined ICI coordinates with at most only a limited amount of radiations of wavelengths shorter than 430 nm and longer than 630 nm as well as at most only a limited amount of radiations of wavelengths of about 500 nm and about 575 nm.

25. The device as specified in claim 24 wherein,

(a) said first component of said phosphor material when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwidth of less than about 80 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm,

(b) said second component of said phosphor material when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwidth of less than about 40 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, and

(c) said third component of said phosphor material when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwidth of less than about 40 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof, and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm.

26. A device which efficiently generates white light and illuminates objects with a color appearance which is reasonably representative of their color appearance under natural light, said device comprising:

(a) a three-component, light-generating medium forming an operative part of said device;

(b) means for connecting said device to a source of predetermined electric potential to energize said medium to a visible-light-generating condition;

(c) a first component of said medium when energized exhibiting a green to yellow-green emission located substantially in the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm;

p1 (d) a second component of said medium when energized exhibiting an orange to red emission located substantially in the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm;

(e) the third component of said medium when energized exhibiting a purplish-blue to greenish-blue emission located substantially in the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm; and

(f) the relative proportions and respective emissions of said components of said light-producing medium being such that when their emissions are blended, there is produced white light of predetermined ICI coordinates with minimized radiations in the wavelength ranges of from 485 nm to 515 nm and from 570 nm to 588 nm and with at most only a limited amount of radiations of wavelengths shorter that 430 nm and longer than 630 nm as well as at most only a limited amount of radiations of wavelengths of about 500 nm and about 575 nm.

27. The device as specified in claim 26 wherein,

(a) said first component of said medium when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwidth of less than about 80 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm,

(b) said second component of said medium when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwidth of less than about 40 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, and

(c) said other remaining component of said medium when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwidth of less than about 40 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm.

28. A fluorescent discharge device comprising:

(a) a sealed, elongated, light-transmitting envelope;

(b) electrodes operatively positioned proximate each end of said envelope and adapted to be connected to a source of energizing potential;

(c) a discharge-sustaining filling comprising mercury and inert gas contained within said envelope, and said device adapted to be operated with a predetermined power input to sustain a gas discharge therein which generates ultraviolet radiations and some blue radiations;

(d) finely divided phosphor material coated onto the interior surface of said envelope, said phosphor comprising a three-component mixture of different phosphors;

(e) a first component of said phosphor when energized by said ultraviolet radiations exhibiting a greenish to yellow-green emission substantially located in the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm;

(f) a second component of said phosphor when energized by said ultraviolet radiations exhibiting an orange to red emission substantially located in the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm;

(g) the third component of said phosphor when energized by said ultraviolet radiations exhibiting purplish-blue to greenish-blue emission substantially located in the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm; and

(h) the relative proportions and respective emissions of said light-producing phosphors being such that when their emissions are blended with the blue emission generated by said discharge, there is produced white light of predetermined ICI coordinates with minimized radiations in the wavelength ranges of from 485 nm to 515 nm and from 570 nm to 588 nm and with at most only a limited amount of radiations of wavelengths shorter than 430 nm and longer than 630 nm as well as at most only a limited amount of radiations of wavelengths of about 500 nm and about 575 nm.

29. The device as specified in claim 28 wherein,

(a) said first component of said phosphor when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwidth of less than about 80 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm,

(b) said second component of said phosphor when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwidth of less than about 40 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, and

(c) said third component of said phosphor when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwidth of less than about 40 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof, and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm.

30. A fluorescent discharge device comprising:

(a) a sealed, elongated, light-transmitting envelope;

(b) electrodes operatively positioned proximate each end of said envelope and adapted to be connected to a source of energizing potential;

(c) a discharge-sustaining filling comprising mercury and inert gas contained within said envelope, and said device adapted to be operated with a predetermined power input to sustain a gas discharge therein which generates ultraviolet radiations and some blue radiations;

(d) finely divided phosphor material coated onto the interior surface of said envelope, said phosphor material consisting essentially of a three-component mixture of different phosphors;

(e) a first component of said phosphor material when energized by said ultraviolet radiations exhibiting a greenish to yellow-green emission substantially located in the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm;

(f) a second component of said phosphor material when energized by said ultraviolet radiations exhibiting an orange to red emission substantially located in the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm;

(g) the third component of said phosphor material when energized by said ultraviolet radiations exhibiting purplish-blue to greenish-blue emission substantially located in the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm; and

(h) the relative proportions and respective emissions of said components of said phosphor material being such that when their emissions are blended with the blue emission generated by said discharge, there is produced white light of predetermined ICI coordinates with minimized radiations in the wavelength ranges of from 485 nm to 515 nm and from 570 nm to 588 nm and with at most only a limited amount of radiations of wavelengths shorter than 430 nm and longer than 630 nm as well as at most only a limited amount of radiations of wavelengths of about 500 nm and about 575 nm.

31. The device as specified in claim 30 wherein,

(a) said first component of said phosphor material when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwidth of less than about 80 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 515 nm to 570 nm,

(b) said second component of said phosphor material when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwidth of less than about 40 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 588 nm to 630 nm, and

(c) said third component of said phosphor material when energized exhibiting at least one of (1) a single line emission within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm, (2) a group of line emissions the principal members of which fall within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm, and (3) a bell-shaped band emission or emissions having a bandwidth of less than about 40 nm as measured at an emission intensity which is 50% of the maximum measured emission intensity thereof, and substantially located within the wavelength range of from 430 nm to 485 nm.