Abstract: A ceramic discharge vessel is provided wherein the vessel comprises a hollow body for enclosing a discharge and the hollow body is made of a polycrystalline dysprosium oxide containing a luminescent dopant that emits one or more visible light wavelengths when stimulated by radiation generated by the discharge. Preferably, the polycrystalline dysprosium oxide has been doped with one or more of europium, cerium, or terbium in an amount from about 0.1 to about 10 percent by weight on an oxide basis.

Abstract: A high intensity discharge lamp (10) has an envelope (12) having a base end (12a), a middle portion (12b) and domed end (12c) arrayed along an envelope longitudinal axis (14). Two spaced apart electrical lead-ins (34, 36) are sealed in the base end (12a) and extend into the envelope (12). A substantially U-shaped frame (38) is within the envelope (12) and the U-shaped frame comprises glass tubing 26a. A light source (16) has an arc discharge capsule (16b) positioned within the frame (38) and a containment vessel (18) is spaced from and surrounds the arc discharge capsule 16b. The containment vessel (18) comprises a transparent structure (19) attached to the frame (38) and formed to provide multiple, independent, localized fractures capable of absorbing the given kinetic energy possessed by the shards.

Abstract: A high intensity discharge lamp includes a ceramic envelope that defines an enclosed volume that is filled with a pressurized gas, the envelope having an exterior with axial poles and an equator and, when viewed in longitudinal cross section, plural exterior steps extending in series from the respective axial pole to the equator, each of the steps having a flat surface that is angled to refract light from inside the envelope toward a plane of the equator. The flat surfaces may be planar (plural facets in concentric tiers) or annular and the envelope may have a spherical interior surface. The lamp may have a reflector with an aperture that is aligned with the respective axial pole.

Abstract: A method of operating an arc discharge lamp and a lamp in which a light transmissive envelope encloses electrode tips, a salt and a fill that includes iodine, and in which after turning the lamp off, a first part of the light transmissive envelope is locally cooled relative to other parts of the light transmissive envelope to provide a condensation site for the iodine that is spaced from the electrode tips, the first part of the light transmissive envelope being where a salt reservoir forms and where the salt is cooled by the local cooling. The local cooling may be provided by an indentation in an outer sleeve around the light transmissive envelope, where the indentation contacts the first part to provide a heat sink.

Abstract: The seal temperature of a reflector lamp having a ceramic metal halide light source is reduced by a light absorbing layer which is provided in a region of the outer jacket adjacent to the electrode seal. Light reflected within the neck cavity of the reflector lamp impinges on the light absorbing layer and is absorbed before it can reach the electrode seal which is at least partially located in the neck of the reflector. The heat from the absorbed light is conducted into the base of the lamp to be dissipated in the socket.

Abstract: Superior color stability in a miniature HID lamp can be achieved by reducing the size of the lamp, reducing the mercury concentration, reducing the salt concentration and increasing the heat to the lamp seal. In general the result concentrates the salts in the central, lower section of the lamp envelope and displaces them from the hot spot and electrode roots were deleterious chemical reactions can occur that are believed to subsequently reduce lamp performance.

Abstract: A compact fused silica, electroded HID lamp for automotive forward lighting, which contains no mercury. The lamps voltage, approximately 40 volts, is developed in this lamp by vaporizing zinc iodide instead of mercury. A compromise between voltage and luminous flux is achieved through the choice of the sodium scandium (Na:Sc) molar ratio, between 4.5:1 and 6:1 and a zinc iodide (ZnI2) dose of 2 to 6 micrograms per cubic millimeter that permits the lamp to operate within the North America, European and Japanese automotive color specifications for white light. The voltage in the lamp can be controlled according to the zinc iodide doping level without seriously impacting the visible spectrum otherwise provided by the other known dopants in the lamp.

Abstract: A starting aid for a metal halide lamp uses iodine and an inert gas instead of mercury so that the entire metal halide lamp may be mercury-free. The starting aid is a UV enhancer that includes a UV-transmissive capsule with a cavity in which iodine and an inert gas are sealed, wherein the iodine emits UV radiation when excited to reduce a starting voltage of the lamp.

Abstract: The neck of a typical PAR lamp tends to focus the light issued in the neck or heel of the lamp back onto the lamp seals. The focused lost light then tends to overheat the seal and shorten lamp life. A practical solution is to intercept this lost light with a light absorbing layer. The light is then converted to heat in the layer. The heat is then re-radiated in an unfocused fashion with only a small portion of it redirected to the seal area. The interception layer may be formed as a black top coating on the neck interior or the neck exterior if the reflector is otherwise light transmissive. Alternatively, the neck may be formed from a translucent or opaque material that then converts the light into heat in the body of the reflector wall. The neck is then specifically not metallized so as to reflect light from the internal neck surface back to the lamp seal.

Abstract: A ceramic discharge lamp, and method of operating same, is provided which contains a cavity between a clear sapphire tube and a PCA cap. During lamp operation, the cavity holds the molten salts to act as a constant temperature reservoir of the molten salts. By manipulating the shape of the cap, for example the curvature of the internal dome, or by building in an offsetting lip, the volume of the cavity can be controlled. By adjusting the thickness of the adjacent cap walls, or by the addition of exterior heat sinking or radiating features on the cap, the temperature of the salt reservoir can be further controlled. The reservoir facilitates providing materials for the plasma at a constant pressure, but without letting the fill condensate flow over and coat the light emitting portions of the clear sapphire transmission cavity wall.

Abstract: An electric discharge lamp includes a light transmissive inner jacket that defines a sealed inner chamber, a first material in the inner chamber that emits light when activated, and a light transmissive outer jacket around the inner jacket. The outer jacket defines a sealed outer chamber between the inner and outer jackets that contains a second fill material. The second fill material, when activated by heat from the inner chamber when the lamp is operating, converts ultraviolet (UV) and deep blue light emitted from the inner chamber to visible light, thereby increasing an amount of visible light transmitted through the outer jacket compared to an amount of visible light transmitted through the inner jacket.

Abstract: The neck of a typical PAR lamp tends to focus the light issued in the neck or heel of the lamp back onto the lamp seals. The focused lost light then tends to overheat the seal and shorten lamp life. A practical solution is to intercept this lost light with a light absorbing layer. The light is then converted to heat in the layer. The heat is then re-radiated in an unfocused fashion with only a small portion of it redirected to the seal area. The interception layer may be formed as a black top coating on the neck interior or the neck exterior if the reflector is otherwise light transmissive. Alternatively, the neck may be formed from a translucent or opaque material that then converts the light into heat in the body of the reflector wall. The neck is then specifically not metallized so as to reflect light from the internal neck surface back to the lamp seal.

Abstract: A compact fused silica, electroded HID lamp for automotive forward lighting, which contains no mercury. The lamps voltage, approximately 40 volts, is developed in this lamp by vaporizing zinc iodide instead of mercury. A compromise between voltage and luminous flux is achieved through the choice of the sodium scandium (Na:Sc) molar ratio, between 4.5:1 and 6:1 and a zinc iodide (ZnI2) dose of 2 to 6 micrograms per cubic millimeter that permits the lamp to operate within the North America, European and Japanese automotive color specifications for white light. The voltage in the lamp can be controlled according to the zinc iodide doping level without seriously impacting the visible spectrum otherwise provided by the other known dopants in the lamp.

Abstract: An electric discharge lamp includes a light transmissive inner jacket that defines a sealed inner chamber, a first material in the inner chamber that emits light when activated, and a light transmissive outer jacket around the inner jacket. The outer jacket defines a sealed outer chamber between the inner and outer jackets that contains a second fill material. The second fill material, when activated by heat from the inner chamber when the lamp is operating, converts ultraviolet (UV) and deep blue light emitted from the inner chamber to visible light, thereby increasing an amount of visible light transmitted through the outer jacket compared to an amount of visible light transmitted through the inner jacket.

Abstract: A high intensity discharge (HID) lamp includes a starting gas, a vaporizable fill, and only one electrode sealed within a light transmissive envelope. The one electrode produces a high intensity discharge during operation of the lamp and is connected to an inlead that extends outside the sealed envelope. A ground for electric field lines emanating from the electrode during operation of the lamp is outside the envelope. The ground may be a reflector for the lamp that has an electrically conductive surface. The high intensity discharge is initiated by applying high frequency power to the inlead.

Abstract: A high intensity discharge (HID) lamp includes a starting gas, a vaporizable fill, and only one electrode sealed within a light transmissive envelope. The one electrode produces a high intensity discharge during operation of the lamp and is connected to an inlead that extends outside the sealed envelope. A ground for electric field lines emanating from the electrode during operation of the lamp is outside the envelope. The ground may be a reflector for the lamp that has an electrically conductive surface. The high intensity discharge is initiated by applying high frequency power to the inlead.

Abstract: A starting aid for a metal halide lamp uses iodine and an inert gas instead of mercury so that the entire metal halide lamp may be mercury-free. The starting aid is a UV enhancer that includes a UV-transmissive capsule with a cavity in which iodine and an inert gas are sealed, wherein the iodine emits UV radiation when excited to reduce a starting voltage of the lamp.

Abstract: An electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp with a lamp fill material including gallium iodide has been found to be more efficient in generating light in general, and more efficient in generating blue light. The very small size of the lamp, in combination with the high intensity in a relatively narrow blue spectral range make the lamp particularly useful in supplying blue light to a fiber optic. The relative efficiency of the lamp increases its value. In combination, the lamp provides a useful, efficient source of blue light as an input source for optical fiber, and other systems for medical and other processes using blue light as a process element.

Abstract: An electrodeless lamp assembly includes an electrodeless, high intensity discharge lamp capsule and a coaxial electric field applicator. The coaxial electric field applicator includes an outer conductor assembly including a tubular outer conductor having a distal end disposed at or near a first end of the lamp capsule, an outer ring disposed at or near a second end of the lamp capsule, and a plurality of cage wires connected between the outer ring and the tubular outer conductor. A center conductor assembly includes a center conductor coaxially positioned with respect to the tubular outer conductor and has a distal end disposed at or near the first end of the lamp capsule. High frequency power, supplied to the tubular outer conductor and the center conductor, is coupled by the electric field applicator to the lamp capsule. The center conductor assembly may include a guard ring positioned near the first end of the lamp capsule for concentrating electric fields in the lamp capsule.

Abstract: An Electrodeless High Intensity Discharge (EHID) lamp for projection applications. The lamp has a small (nominal dimensions: 2 mm I.D., 3 mm O.D., 6 mm internal length) capsule, which is constricted in a mid-portion thereof. The constriction squeezes the plasma within the capsule and provides a higher power density. This in turn produces a higher luminance in the center of the arc. This focal point of the projection system is constant over the life of the lamp, owing to the fact that the system is electrodeless. The arc tube or capsule is thickened in the vicinity of the constriction to permit heat transfer through the vitreous silica (commonly called quartz). The thickening carries the heat away from the now hotter mid-portion area. This thickening cools by virtue of increasing the thermal conduction through the glass.