Abstract: An improved low pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp, particularly of the fluorescent type. The inner wall of the glass envelope is coated with a layer of SiO.sub.2 particles which, in turn, is coated with a phosphor layer. The SiO.sub.2 particles have a particle size of below about 100 nm. The SiO.sub.2 particle containing layer containing between 0.5 and 0.7 mg of SiO.sub.2 particles per square centimeter of glass envelope which is coated.