Tungsten lamps are renowned for their white light.
Tungsten -- derived from wolframite, scheelite and similar minerals -- is a hard, brittle heat-resistant metal that is also a good conductor of electricity. This makes it an ideal element for light bulbs. Tungsten lamps use light bulbs that contain a tungsten filament combined with a halogen gas as the source of illumination.
Tungsten
Tungsten has the highest melting point of any metal. This means that it can be heated higher than standard iridescent lamps, giving a brighter illumination, or it can be more efficient, as it gives the same illumination as a standard lamp using less power.
Halogen
Tungsten lamps are also referred to as tungsten halogen lamps, because the latter material is often an integral component of tungsten lamps. The halogen operates in a cycle, redepositing tungsten from the inside of the bulb to the filament. This prevents the filament from overheating and, by reducing the filament evaporation rate, makes it more efficient.
Light
Tungsten lamps are renowned for the quality of their light, being close to pure white. They also have a good color retention index -- the accuracy of color that the light enables the human eye to see -- compared to standard carbon bulbs. A filament gives off light when it is heated to 100 degrees Kelvin or more. The higher it is heated, the more light is dissipated, and the light becomes whiter and more "true."
Uses
The high operating temperature of tungsten lamps means that they can provide very bright illumination. They are often used in commercial applications such as photo shoots, projectors and lighting on stage and TV sets. They are often used in interior design as spotlights in kitchens.
Pros and Cons
Tungsten lamp bulbs are more expensive to buy because of the larger number of components contained within them compared to standard bulbs, i.e., the halogen, the coating. However, because of their higher efficacy, they shouldn't need replacement as often (although for use with conventional electrical voltages, the filaments are made long and slender, so are liable to break if overheated).
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