Abstract: A discharge lamp includes a body portion having inner and outer body walls and first and second ends. The inner body wall defines at least part of a cavity located between the first and second ends. First and second end parts have inner end-part and outer end-part walls and a hole extending between the inner end-part wall and the outer end-part wall. The first and second end parts are each located, at least in part, within the cavity and separate from each other so as to maintain a gas under pressure. First and second electrodes are included in the cavity. An antenna has first and second antenna ends and is formed on the outer body wall of the body portion and the outer end-part wall of at least one of the first and second end parts. The antenna is not directly connected to the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A discharge lamp includes a body portion having inner and outer body walls and first and second ends. The inner body wall defines at least part of a cavity located between the first and second ends. First and second end parts have inner end-part and outer end-part walls and a hole extending between the inner end-part wall and the outer end-part wall. The first and second end parts are each located, at least in part, within the cavity and separate from each other so as to maintain a gas under pressure. First and second electrodes are included in the cavity. An antenna has first and second antenna ends and is formed on the outer body wall of the body portion and the outer end-part wall of at least one of the first and second end parts. The antenna is not directly connected to the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A gas discharge lamp (2) is operated with an alternating current. A positive lamp current (Ip) is generated with a positive current intensity (Ip) for a positive duration (?p). A negative lamp current (IN) is generated with a negative current intensity (IN) for a negative duration (?N). A duty cycle (D=?p/(?p+?N)) differs from 50%. A current ratio (R=Ip/IN) differs from 1.

Abstract: An ignition circuit for generating high voltage pulses to a discharge lamp is provided with a switching element (SW1) to enable to stop generating said high voltage pulses when the lamp does not ignite or has ignited. The switching element (SW1) is connected between the input terminals (ground, Vdc) of a supply voltage and a parallel circuit of a capacitor (C1) and a series connection of a breakdown device (B1) and a primary winding (W1) of a transformer (T1). Switching the switching element (SW1) non-conductive prevents that the capacitor (C1) from charging.

Abstract: A method for driving a lamp is described includes generating a light controlling DC electric field E with a desired direction and a desired strength inside the lamp such as to obtain a desirable ion distribution inside the lamp. The lamp is supplied with a commutating current with a DC component, having a constant current intensity and a duty cycle differing from 50%. By setting the duty cycle, it is possible to set a certain average value of the lamp current, allowing the efficacy and/or color temperature of the lamp to be influenced.

Abstract: A high-pressure discharge lamp (1) having a quartz glass discharge vessel (2) enclosing a discharge space (3) with an ionizable filling, wherein a first electrode (4) and a second electrode (40) are present between which a discharge is maintained during lamp operation, wherein a first seal (5) incorporates a first internal electric conductor (6) which connects the first electrode (4) to a first external electric conductor (7) extending from the seal (5) into the exterior, wherein said first seal (5) further incorporates a gas-filled cavity (10), wherein the internal electric conductor (6) is a foil which extends through the cavity (10), and wherein the foil (6) is provided with at least one hole (11).

Abstract: A pulse booster circuit (10) comprises a first pulse transfer path (41) and a second pulse transfer path (42) extending between input terminals (11a; 11b) and output terminals (12a; 12b). A series arrangement of a capacitor (20and a first breakdown switch (13) is connected between said two input terminals (11a; 11b). A series arrangement of a second breakdown switch (14) and a primary winding (31) of a transformer (30) is connected in parallel to said capacitor (20). A first output winding (32)of said transformer (30) is incorporated in said first pulse transfer path (41), while a second output winding (33) of said transform (30) is incorporated in said second pulse transfer path (42).

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-pressure discharge lamp (1) provided with a discharge vessel (2) made of quartz glass which encloses a discharge space (3) having an ionizable filling and an electrode (4). The discharge vessel (2) is provided with a seal (5) which preferably encloses an Mo foil and forms a feedthrough for an electric conductor (6) to the electrode (4). At the location of the foil, the seal (5) has a gastight sealed cavity (10). According to the invention the cavity (10) is free of a capacitive coupling. This improves reliable ignition.

Abstract: A high-pressure discharge lamp has a discharge vessel that is enclosed, with an interspace, by an outer bulb. The end of the outer bulb is provided with a lamp cap. The lamp has an ignition circuit including a series connection of a glow starter and an ohmic impedance. The ohmic impedance is formed by a halogen incandescent lamp. The mutual orientation of the glow starter and the ohmic impedance is such that heat produced by the ohmic impedance is at least partly intercepted by the glow starter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-pressure discharge lamp comprising a discharge vessel which is enclosed, with clearance, by an outer bulb. The outer bulb is closed at one end by a lamp cap. The lamp is provided with an ignition circuit including at least a series arrangement of a glow starter and an ohmic impedance. According to the invention, the ohmic impedance is formed by a halogen incandescent lamp.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-pressure discharge lamp comprising a discharge vessel which is enclosed, with clearance, by an outer bulb. The outer bulb is closed at one end by a lamp cap. The lamp is provided with an ignition circuit including at least a series arrangement of a glow starter and an ohmic impedance. According to the invention, the ohmic impedance is formed by a halogen incandescent lamp.