Abstract: The operating method is based on the simultaneous application of FM and AM, and is distinguished by passing through three operating states, specifically a warm-up phase, an impressing phase and the continuous operation.

Abstract: The discharge volume has an internal length L and a maximum diameter D at its center, with the discharge vessel being equipped with a light-emitting filling and with two electrodes at the ends of the discharge vessel, with the lamp being operated by means of high frequency such that an acoustic longitudinal mode is formed, with the wall thickness varying along the length L of the discharge volume, with the wall thickness S being thinnest at the center of the discharge vessel, while it is at least 1.2 S at an optimum point Popt, with the optimum point in each case being at a distance of {fraction (7/24)} L from the end of the discharge vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-pressure discharge lamp, in particular a metal halide high-pressure discharge lamp, and a method for operating this lamp with the aid of a square-wave alternating current. According to the invention, the electrodes (2) of the lamp are dimensioned such that during operation of the lamp with its prescribed nominal power and with a substantially square-wave alternating current the product of the current density in the electrodes (2) and the cube root of the root mean square value of the alternating current has a constant value of between 5 A4/3mm−2 and 10 A4/3mm−2 during the stable operating state of the high-pressure discharge lamp after termination of the ignition phase.

Abstract: A mercury-free metal halide lamp with a light efficiency of at least 70 Im/W and a color rendering index of at least 80 has a ceramic discharge vessel, into which electrodes are introduced in a vacuum-tight manner. The fill comprises the following components: an inert gas which acts as buffer gas, a compound of a halogen X with at least one of the metals hafnium and/or zirconium (referred to below as metal halide HZM), this halide being referred to below as HZH for short, HZH simultaneously performing tasks of voltage gradient formation and of promoting the cycle, a light generator comprising at least a further metal halide, at least one further metal halide MYn which vaporizes readily and is used as voltage gradient generator, the specific molar content of HZH being greater than or equal to 3 &mgr;mol/cm3. In addition, the following relationship applies: 5≦(X+Y)/HZM≦15, resulting in a lamp service life of more than 5000 hours.

Abstract: Mercury-free metal halide lamp with a warm white luminous color, the fill of which comprises the following components: an inert gas which acts as a buffer gas; a first group of metal halides (MH), the boiling point of which is above 1000° C. (preferably above 1150° C.), the first group comprising at least Dy and Ca used simultaneously as metals, and the molar ratio of the two metal halides Ca-MH:Dy-MH being between 0.1 and 10; these are components with a low volatility which are present in saturated form; a second group of metal halides, the boiling point of which is below 1000° C. (preferably below 900° C.

Abstract: In a metal halide lamp having a ceramic, tubular discharge vessel (1), there is fitted outside on the discharge vessel an electrically conducting starting aid (11) which provides an inhomogeneous electric field strength. It comprises a metal wire which extends transverse to the axis and from the frame (8) out to the outer wall of the discharge vessel. It ends there approximately at the level of an electrode (2).

Abstract: Lighting system, comprising a mercury-free metal halide lamp with a light yield of at least 75 lm/W and a color rendition index of at least 75 and an electronic ballast, the electronic ballast impressing a square-wave power supply on the lamp and keeping the power constant. The filling comprises the following components:a buffer gas which also acts as starting gas to start the lamp,a voltage gradient generator, comprising at least one metal halide which vaporizes readily and which is chiefly (by more than 50%) responsible for generating a voltage gradient which corresponds approximately to that of mercury, anda light generator comprising one metal and/or one metal halide.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for operating a lighting system with an ncoherently-emitting radiation source, in particular a discharge lamp (14) that emits UV, IR or visible-range radiation, by means of dielectrically inhibited discharge, and to a lighting system suitable therefor. The electrodes (16-20), which are arranged side by side and separated from each other and the interior of the discharge vessel (15) by dielectric material (21), are alternatingly connected to the two poles (23, 24) of a voltage source (27). In operation, the voltage source (27) supplies a series of voltage pulses separated by quiescent periods. According to the invention, this produces inside the discharge vessel (15) a spatial discharge (26) which in the regions between electrodes of different polarity (16, 17; 17, 18; 18, 19; 19, 20) is at a distance from the surface of the inside wall of the discharge vessel (15).

Abstract: A discharge lamp may be formed with both galvanic and dielectric electrod The relative discharges due to the currents between the differing electrodes may be adjusted to effect the optical spectrum of the radiation emitted by the lamp.

Abstract: A high-pressure glow discharge lamp (1) having a planar discharge vessel (2) which is sealed in a vacuumtight manner, which surrounds a discharge space (3) filled with a gas mixture which forms excimers, and whose parallel walls (4, 5) are formed from a dielectric material. The surfaces (6, 7) of the walls (4, 5) remote from the discharge space (3) are provided with planar electrodes (8, 9). At least one (5) of these walls with its associated electrode (8) is at least partly transparent to the generated radiation. The gas mixture includes at least one of the rare gases Xe, Kr and Ar for forming an excimer and at least one of the halogens I.sub.2, Br.sub.2, Cl.sub.2 and F.sub.2. The partial pressure of the substance forming the excimer is at least 10 and at most 600 mbar in the case of Xe and/or Kr and at least 10 and at most 1000 mbar in the case of Ar. The partial pressure of the halogen is between 0.05 and 5% of the partial pressure of the substance forming the excimer.