Why does the color of CFLs seem different at start-up?
The variation in lamp color at start-up of the lamp is a result of phosphor activation. Phosphor is the coating on the inside of the bulb that glows when bulb has an electrical charge to give the lamp a “white” light effect. Different phosphor combinations produce different colors and may have slightly different response times. These differences are why the lamp sometimes looks pink or purple when you start it.
