Abstract: A water processing system is provided for providing plasma-catalytic enhanced water that contributes to improved yield and growth of plants. The system may include a plasma power supply configured to initiate the plasma and regulate the plasma discharge current of a plasma discharge, a plasma discharge reactor connected to the plasma power supply and configured to generate the plasma discharge, a pump connected to a water source and configured to deliver water to a nozzle configured to spray water into the plasma discharge, a compressor connected to a gas source and configured to deliver a gas for the plasma discharge, and collector to collect the water after the water has passed through the plasma discharge. Methods of making and applying the plasma-catalytic enhanced water are also provided.

Abstract: A light sensing device for sensing the light output of a bulb in a lamp comprises a fiber-optic light guide having first and second ends and a photodetector. The first end is optically coupled to a projection of a bulb in the lamp and is adapted to pick up light transmitted through the projection from within the bulb. The second is optically coupled to the photodetector such that light exiting from the second end impinges on the photodetector to generate an output indicative of the light output of the bulb.

Abstract: An electrodeless lamp comprises an envelope containing a fill and a substance for facilitating the starting of the lamp. An outer tube is secured to an outside portion of the envelope in proximity to the given region and an inner tube is disposed within the outer tube such that a fluid passageway is defined between an inner surface of the outer tube and an outer surface of the inner tube. A hollow retractable electrode is provided within the inner tube, the electrode having a first position in which its tip portion is in proximity to the given region of the envelope when the lamp is being started and a second position in which the tip portion is away from the envelope after the lamp is started. A source of cooling fluid is operably connected to the hollow electrode such that the cooling fluid is forced through the hollow electrode and exhausted through the fluid passageway.

Abstract: A power supply for an electrodeless lamp having an exterior starting electrode and first and second magnetrons coupled to the lamp comprises first and second power sources for being connected to the respective first and second magnetrons; a switch having first and second positions, the first position for disconnecting the second power source from the second magnetron and connecting the output of the second power source to the output of the first power source such that they are added together for being connected to the first magnetron during starting of the lamp, the second position for disconnecting the second power source from the first magnetron and connecting the second power source to the second magnetron after the lamp has started; and a controller adapted to synchronize the starting of the first and second power sources and the starting electrode such that they are turned on at the same time during starting of the lamp.

Abstract: An electrodeless lamp comprises an envelope containing a fill; a starting electrode in proximity to a given region of the envelope when lamp is started; a field emission source disposed inside the envelope at the given region; starting power source coupled to the electrode for applying an electric field to the field emission source to cause a discharge; and excitation power source coupled to the fill to sustain the discharge. A method for starting an electrodeless lamp is also disclosed, comprising the steps of providing bulb comprised of an envelope and a discharge forming fill in the envelope; providing a field emission source on an interior surface of the envelope at a given region; applying an electric field at the given region to cause field emission from the field emission source to cause a discharge; and coupling a power source to the fill to sustain the discharge.