The primary application for any kind of light bulb is to produce artificial light to shed on a given area. Light output is measured in lumens which are measures of perceived light output produced by lamps or bulbs. Fluorescent light as well as xenon lights can be used in both indoor and outdoor settings. A lot of light fixtures in automobiles use xenon lighting.
Fluorescent bulbs are what are known as "energy-efficient bulbs." Energy-efficient bulbs put out a high amount of lumens for the amount of energy they require to operate. Fluorescent bulbs require low levels of energy to put out light, they can deliver up to 100 lumens per watt of power used; xenon bulbs put out about half of the amount of lumens per watt as fluorescents. The average life of a xenon bulb can be anywhere from 8,000 to 20,000 hours; the typical lifespan of a fluorescent bulb is generally the same.
Fluorescent light bulbs contain an anode and a cathode which are also known as electrodes. They also contain certain levels of argon and mercury vapor gas. Xenon bulbs also operate with electrodes but the gas used is xenon. Xenon is used as a gas in light bulbs because it increases the life of the light bulb.
Fluorescent bulbs produce light by a reaction between electricity and gasses. When a current of electricity is run between the electrodes, electrons within the bulb react to the argon and mercury gas. This reaction results in photon production, when the photons come in contact with the inside coating of the fluorescent bulb, visible light is produced. Xenon bulbs work when electricity is run through xenon gas. Electrons passing through the xenon collide with xenon atoms, which produces light.
Energy-efficient light bulbs like fluorescents have a higher initial cost opposed to other types of bulbs, but the cost is offset by the amount of energy saved by the consumer in the long run. Unlike fluorescents, xenon bulbs can be dimmed without the use of special ballasts and dimmers.
Both types of lighting offer certain benefits that make them attractive lighting options. Fluorescents are energy-efficient, it will not cost as much to run a fluorescent light as it will to run halogens, incandescents and xenons. One benefit to xenon lighting is that it does not emit much light in the ultraviolet spectrum, unlike fluorescent lighting.