Abstract: A long life high pressure arc discharge lamp configuration is disclosed. In some embodiments, the lamp includes a first non-cycling high pressure arc tube having a first ignition aid and a second arc tube electrically connected in parallel to the first arc tube. A lamp envelope is provided about the first and second arc tubes. In some cases, each of the first and second arc tubes is a non-cycling high pressure sodium arc tube, and each is configured with an ignition aid strip running lengthwise down the corresponding arc tube. In some cases, the first and second arc tubes are oriented such that their respective ignition aid strips are effectively 180 degrees+/?90 degrees away from each other, or so that their respective ignition aid strips are effectively 180 degrees+/?5 degrees away from each other. In some such, the second arc tube is a low-pressure arc tube.

Abstract: An irradiation device includes: a light source having an amalgam alloy member that is disposed on a part of the inner surface of a light source tube; and a chamber in which the light source is disposed. The chamber includes: a main chamber body; and a first gas inflow port and a first gas outflow port that are formed in the main chamber body. The first gas inflow port and the first gas outflow port are arranged so that the outer surface of the part of the light source tube where the amalgam alloy member is disposed is positioned in a flow path of a gas that flows in through the first gas inflow port and flows out through the first gas outflow port.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp light output is maximized by cooling the cathode regions. Mercury vapor pressure is maintained at an optimum or desired level for light production by cooling the cathode areas of the lamp. The cooled cathode areas of the lamp collect cathode emissive material and mercury vapor condensates. Thus, the light output remains uniform and constant. The functional length of the lamp is not degraded by the deposition of either cathode material or mercury vapor condensates. Cooling can be effected by forcing cool air against the exterior of the lamp adjacent the cathodes or by using forced water heat exchangers. By cooling the respective cathode regions equally, the amount of deposition in the respective regions is substantially the same. Thus, gradations of deposition are avoided. The constant high output fluorescent lamp can be used with electronic inspection equipment and machine vision measurement devices.