Abstract: A high performance miniature projection lamp which includes a glass envelope having a pair of opposite neck portions each with a coaxial central opening having a reduced section and an hermetically sealed central chamber having a volume of about 130 mm.sup.3 which contains a fill. The fill includes an argon pressure at room temperature at a range of about 0.5 atmospheres to about 2.0 atmospheres and mercury in an amount in the range of about 5 mg to about 15 mg, and a mixture of metal halide material in an amount from about 50 up to 1000 micrograms. A pair of axially aligned electrodes are positioned at opposite neck portions and separated form each other by a predetermined distance. The electrodes each have a shank portion which each having a coil wrapped around its end.