Neon lights, a name that sounds poetic, are actually light sources that emit light using inert gases. The most common is neon (Ne), from which it derives its name, but neon lights can actually be made from many different inert gases.
The history of neon lights dates back to the late 19th century, invented by the French chemist Georges Claude. Initially, they were widely used for commercial billboards and urban landscapes because they could display text and graphics with extremely high brightness and vibrant colors. Today, neon lights are not only an important art and design element but are also used in various occasions, such as stage performances, decorations, and commercial advertising.
So, why do neon lights emit different colors of light? This is because they can use different types of inert gases and fluorescent coatings. When an electric current passes through the gas in a neon light, the gas molecules are excited, producing fluorescence. Different gases produce different colors. For example, neon (Ne) emits red light, argon (Ar) emits blue light, helium (He) emits yellow light, and a mixture of argon and neon emits orange light. Furthermore, neon lights can produce different colors by using different types of fluorescent coatings. The fluorescent coating is typically applied to the inner wall or outer shell of the neon light; when light passes through the coating, it is reflected and scattered, thus displaying different colors.
Therefore, neon lights can achieve different colors by selecting different gases and fluorescent coatings, which is why neon lights emit a variety of colors. Whether used for ambient lighting, decorative lighting, or customized gifts, neon lights are a very interesting and diverse light source.
