Abstract: An electrodeless lamp may be formed with a capsule having a radiant energy transmissive material defining an approximately cylindrical enclosed volume having an external length less than 20.0 millimeters, and an outer diameter less than 8.0 millimeters. The enclosed volume is filled with a lamp fill excitable by a high frequency electromagnetic field to produce radiant energy. The small size capsule produces a particularly efficient, orientation tolerant arc discharge. The arc is then highly stable as to position, yielding a good optical source to design for. The temperature gradient is small, thereby yielding little thermal stress on the capsule. An electrodeless HID headlamp system may be formed with the efficient capsule from a radio frequency source operating from the power supply of a typical automobile. The headlamp system includes a high frequency power source, a transmission line, a coupler, an excitable lamp fill captured in a lamp capsule, a reflector and a lens.

Abstract: An electrodeless lamp may be formed with a capsule having a radiant energy transmissive material defining an approximately cylindrical enclosed volume having an external length less than 20.0 millimeters, and an outer diameter less than 8.0 millimeters. The enclosed volume is filled with a lamp fill excitable by a high frequency electromagnetic field to produce radiant energy. The small size capsule produces a particularly efficient, orientation tolerant arc discharge. The arc is then highly stable as to position, yielding a good optical source to design for. The temperature gradient is small, thereby yielding little thermal stress on the capsule. An electrodeless HID headlamp system may be formed with the efficient capsule from a radio frequency source operating from a the power supply of a typical automobile. The headlamp system includes a high frequency power source, a transmission line, a coupler, an excitable lamp fill captured in a lamp capsule, a reflector and a lens.

Abstract: A method and device for continuously monitoring the distributed high voltage pulses from an ignition coil of an electrical system of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The device is a transparent enclosure filled with a noble gas at low pressure. The inner wall of the enclosure is coated with a light emitting phosphor and a small amount of mercury is placed within the enclosure. When the device is placed near a high voltage wire, an electric field capacitively couples to and ionizes the gas within the device. The mercury is excited and emits photons of ultraviolet radiation which in turn creates visible light as the ultraviolet radiation excites the phosphor coating. When this device is placed next to a spark plug wire, it will illuminate when there are high voltage pulses in the wire. In a preferred embodiment two or more enclosures are placed near the same wire. The enclosures contain different gas pressures and are excited at different voltages.

Abstract: A large scale video display has a plurality of colored electrodeless lamps which are excited by RF energy coupled from a RF cavity upon which the lamps are mounted. The lamps are easily replaced and do not degrade as fast as conventional lamps which have electrodes.

Abstract: A fluorescent light source based on a phosphor excited by a molecular discharge is described. The fluorescent light source comprises a capacitively coupled compact fluorescent lamp coated with a manganese doped magnesium aluminate phosphor on the inside surface of the lamp envelope. The compact fluorscent lamp produces a plasma which emits 206 nm radiation from the molecular discharge of the iodine containing molecular vapors and inert gas fill which in turn excites the phosphor to emit visible light.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp based on a phosphor excited by a molecular discharge is described. The fluorescent lamp comprises a fluorescent lamp coated with a manganese doped magnesium aluminate phosphor on the inside surface of the lamp envelope. The fluorescent lamp contains corrosion resistant filamentary electron emitting electrodes. The fluorescent lamp produces a plasma which emits 206 nm radiation from the molecular discharge of the iodine containing molecular vapors and inert gas fill which in turn excites the phosphor to emit visible light.

Abstract: This invention teaches a novel high pressure electric discharge lamp which has the desired properties of high efficacy, good color rendering, and a warm color temperature. These desired properties are attained by utilizing as fills the rare earth iodides in conjunction with calcium halides and, or sodium halides. Efficient visible emission from the rare earth atomic and molecular fragments in the discharge is combined with the red emission from calcium monohalide to provide an efficient, warm source.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp is described in which spontaneous excimer UV emission in an inner tube results from reacting an inert gas molecule with a halide molecule in the excited state. The UV emission travels through the inner tube envelope to an outer tube and is absorbed by a fluorescent material, i.e., phosphor, to produce visible light which passes through the outer tube envelope. The halide may be supplied by metal halide pellets or liquid droplets, which when heated by an initial discharge through an inert gas, produces metal halide vapors which dissociate and combine with the inert gas (Xe, Ar, Ne, Kr) in the excited state and result in UV excimer emission.

Abstract: A fill composition for a high intensity discharge device including mercury, niobium oxytrihalide, and a molecular stabilization agent is provided. The molar ratio of niobium oxytrihalide to the molecular stabilization agent in the fill is in the range of from about 5:1 to about 7.5:1. Niobium oxytrihalide is present in the fill in sufficient amount to produce, by dissociation in the discharge, atomic niobium, niobium oxide, NbO, and niobium dioxide, NbO.sub.2, with the molar ratio of niobium-containing vapor species to mercury in the fill being in the range of from about 0.01:1 to about 0.50:1; and mercury pressure of about 1 to about 50 atmospheres at lamp operating temperature. There is also provided a high intensity discharge device comprising a sealed light-transmissive arc tube; the arc tube including the above-described fill; and an energizing means for producing an electric discharge within the arc tube.

Abstract: A compact fluorescent lamp has an outer envelope in which there is supported a capsule containing a mercury-free fill comprised of aluminum tribromide. The fill is energized to produce a plasma discharge which emits ultraviolet and visible radiation. Phosphor, in the form of a particulate layer or a gas, converts the ultraviolet into visible light. The lamp may contain electrodes or be electrodeless. In the electrodeless embodiment RF energy may be capacitively or inductively coupled to the fill.

Abstract: An ultraviolet light source includes a volume filled with a dose of AlBr.sub.3 and an inert gas. No mercury is used. During electrical discharge excited states of AlBr.sub.2, and AlBr emit light, with AlBr having a broad ultraviolet emission peaking at about 278 nm. The source may be energized with or without internal electrodes. Phosphors may be employed to convert the ultraviolet to visible light. The lamp's envelope may be aluminosilicate coated quartz.

Abstract: A plasma switch includes means to introduce a cloud of particulate AII.sub.3 or AlCl.sub.3 and SiO.sub.2 is to a conductive gas discharge. The chemicals undergo a plasma reaction and generate SiI.sub.4 or SiCl.sub.4 both of which are efficient electron absorbers which rapidly extinguish the gas discharge.

Abstract: An ultraviolet light source includes a volume filled with a dose of AlCl.sub.3 and an inert gas. No mercury is used. During electrical discharge excited states of AlCl.sub.3, AlCl.sub.2, and AlCl emit light, with AlCl having a broad ultraviolet emission peaking at about 261.4 nm. The source may be energized with or without internal electrode. Phosphors may be employed to convert the ultraviolet to visible light. The lamp's envelope may be aluminosilicate coated quartz.

Abstract: A compact fluorescent lamp has an outer envelope in which there is supported a capsule containing a mercury-free fill comprised of aluminum trichloride. The fill is energized to produce a plasma discharge which emits ultraviolet and visible radiation. Phosphor, in the form of a particulate layer or a gas, converts the ultraviolet into visible light. The lamp may contain electrodes or be electrodeless. In the electrodeless embodiment RF energy may be capacitively or inductively coupled to the fill.

Abstract: A protective refractory metal oxide coating of 3Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.2SiO.sub.2 or 3B.sub.2 O.sub.3.2SiO.sub.2 is coated on the internal surface of a vessel by low pressure plasma induced chemical reactions. The source of the SiO.sub.2 required for the reaction can either be from the internal surface of the vessel (e.g., glass, quartz) or it can be introduced into the vessel.

Abstract: A source of visible light including an electrodeless lamp containing a mercury halide, iodine, and nitrogen. When the contents of the electrodeless lamp are excited by high frequency power, visible light is emitted.