fluorescent lamps in short this aspect of the present invention permits a wide range of designs for tubular structure 160 like envelope 120 in fig1 and 2 tubular structure 160 is intended to both conduct and radiate visible wavelength radiation also like envelope 120 tubular structure 160 comprises a material which functions both as a light conduit and as a radiator of visible wavelength radiation again like envelope 120 tubular structure 160 comprises essentially the same materials and may be provided with internal light dispersing flakes particles or fragments for the purpose of improving light emission from various points along tubular structure 160 it is however noted that even if structure 160 were to be provided with a square or rectangular cross section or with any other similar cross section it would still live within the scope and contemplation of the claims presented herein in short u201c tubular u201d is not intended to require a circular cross section any convenient cross section is deployable within the confines of the present invention it is also to be noted that the structures provided in the present invention which are intended to function both as light conduits and as light radiators are not required to have constant thicknesses as might be the case for the embodiment shown in fig1 or to have constant cross sections.