Abstract
We calculate numerically the spectral power distributions (SPDs) which
maximize luminous efficacies of radiation (LERs) for white light of particular
color rendering indices (<i>R<sub>a</sub></i>'s) and color temperatures (CTs). We find that, except
for the very highest color rendering indices, the spectra are spiky rather
than continuous. We present a useful analytic expression for the dependences
of the maximum white luminous efficacy of radiation (MWLER) on <i>R<sub>a</sub></i> and CT and discuss these dependences.
We propose that, for any white light source of a given <i>R<sub>a</sub></i> and CT, its absolute spectral
efficiency is simply the ratio of its LER to the MWLER at that same <i>R<sub>a</sub></i> and CT.
We discuss the absolute spectral efficiency, defined in this way, of various
lighting technologies: incandescent, fluorescent, high-intensity discharge,
and solid-state lighting. Finally, we discuss the possibility of alternative
MWLERs based on alternative indices for color rendering quality.
© 2012 IEEE
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