Abstract: The invention discloses a drive circuit and a method for controlling a drive circuit for a flash tube. The drive circuit comprises a capacitor and a first inductor switch group comprising a first inductor and at least one first switch connected in series with each other. The first inductor switch group is configured to be connected in series with the flash tube and the capacitor. The drive unit further comprises at least a second inductor switch group comprising a second inductor and at least one second switch connected in series with each other and configured to be connected in series with the flash tube and the capacitor, and in parallel with the first inductor switch group. The method further comprises the steps of receiving input parameters related to a desired flash characteristics, and controlling the first and second switches separately based on the received input parameters to obtain the desired flash characteristics.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for determining a starting time for a flash emitted from a flash tube of a flash apparatus. The flash apparatus comprises a triggering circuit, and a drive circuit. The method comprises the steps of measuring an electric current through and/or a voltage across an electrical component of the drive circuit, and determining the starting time for the flash based on the measured electric current and/or voltage.

Abstract: The invention discloses a drive circuit and a method for controlling a drive circuit for a flash tube. The drive circuit comprises a capacitor and a first inductor switch group comprising a first inductor and at least one first switch connected in series with each other. The first inductor switch group is configured to be connected in series with the flash tube and the capacitor. The drive unit further comprises at least a second inductor switch group comprising a second inductor and at least one second switch connected in series with each other and configured to be connected in series with the flash tube and the capacitor, and in parallel with the first inductor switch group. The method further comprises the steps of receiving input parameters related to a desired flash characteristics, and controlling the first and second switches separately based on the received input parameters to obtain the desired flash characteristics.

Abstract: Flash tubes for photographic use, in particular, a flash tube is adapted to provide a light output adapted to FP-sync, Flat Peak. The flash tube includes a length of glass tubing enclosing a gas for use in the flash tube, a cathode inside a first end part of glass tubing and an anode inside a second end part of glass tubing. The cathode includes an element that helps to ionize the gas that is wound around the cathode, such that a spark stream starts from the upper part of the cathode and is prevented from spreading down wards on the cathode and changing the arc length during the light output adapted to FP-sync.

Abstract: Flash tubes for photographic use, in particular a flash tube is adapted to provide a light output adapted to FP-sync, Flat Peak. The flash tube includes a length of glass tubing enclosing a gas for use in the flash tube, a cathode inside a first end part of glass tubing and an anode inside a second end part of glass tubing. The cathode includes an element that helps to ionize the gas that is wound around the cathode, such that a spark stream starts from the upper part of the cathode and is prevented from spreading down wards on the cathode and changing the arc length during the light output adapted to FP-sync.