Abstract: A high pressure gas discharge lamp and the method of making same utilizing integrated circuit fabrication techniques. The lamp is manufactured from heat and pressure resistant planar substrates in which cavities are etched, by integrated circuit manufacturing techniques, so as to provide a cavity forming the gas discharge tube. Electrodes are deposited in the cavity. The cavity is filled with gas discharge materials such as mercury vapor, sodium vapor or metal halide. The substrates are bonded together and channels may be etched in the substrate so as to provide a means for connection to the electrodes. Electrodeless RF activated lamps may also be fabricated by this technique. Lamps fabricated from three or more planar substrates are disclosed.

Abstract: A ceramic discharge vessel for a high-pressure discharge lamp is formed of a cylindrical central part and two hemispherical end pieces, whereby the length of the central part is smaller than or equal to the radius of the end pieces. In this way, the isothermy of the discharge vessel is improved.

Abstract: A lamp for providing visible radiation includes tellurium or a tellurium compound in the fill. This substance is present in an amount such that when the fill is excited with sufficient power, substantially all of the radiation resulting from tellurium is emitted at wavelengths exceeding 400 nm. When tellurium is added to a sulfur or selenium based lamp for emitting visible radition, the spectrum is shifted towards the red region.

Abstract: A mercury lamp of the short arc type with high radiant efficiency which satisfies the demand for an increase of the radiation amount of the light source, by suppressing the motion of the bright spot in the vicinity of the cathode tip suppresses the flickering of the irradiance and thus increases the arc stability, is achieved in a mercury lamp of the short arc type in which within an arc tube mercury and at least one rare gas are encapsulated, by either at least Ar being filled as the rare gas at an filling pressure of from 1 to 8 atm, and by the current density in the tip area of the cathode being 10 to 250 A/mm.sup.2 or alternatively, at least Kr being filled as the rare gas at an filling pressure of from 1 to 8 atm, and the current density in the tip area of the cathode being 10 to 310 A/mm.sup.2 during operation of the lamp.

Abstract: A high intensity discharge lamp comprises an elongated, main arc tube containing a gas fill. First and second in-leads are connected to first and second electrodes within the arc tube, with an arc gap being defined in the arc tube between the electrodes. The fist and second in-leads are adapted to be connected to first and second power leads of a ballast circuit. A starting aid is included for the main arc tube and comprises a path generally parallel to the main arc tube along the arc gap and which is conductive during starting of the main arc tube; an electron barrier disposed between the path and the main arc tube for preventing a substantial amount of photoelectrons from collecting on an outer surface of the main arc tube; and first and second ends of the path being coupled to the first and second in-leads by first and second electrical couplings.

Abstract: A pulsed high energy arc-tube flashlamp comprises a quartz flashlamp envelope that is about 2000 mm long and has an outside diameter of approximately forty-eight mm. Each end necks down to an outside diameter of about thirty-eight mm to accommodate an anode re-entrant seal assembly at one end and a cathode re-entrant seal assembly at the other end. Each anode and cathode comprises a beaded electrode rod of tungsten with an unusually large 0.25 inch diameter. A reflective metal paint or white oxide paint is added to the end necks to improve the lamp starting characteristics and to protect the cassette mounting o-ring and lamp cable junction box from radiation. A TEFLON shrink sleeve is shrunk over each outside end of the flashlamp envelope and such provides a small amount of cushion for the lamp mounts in the laser cassette. The monocoque body structure does not need separate lamp mounting bases, and thus overall provides a mechanically simpler and superior structure that is far more reliable.

Abstract: The spectral energy characteristic of a discharge lamp is controlled by changing the density of the fill substance. The spectral characteristic can be shifted while substantially maintaining its shape by changing the density of the fill. A sulfur or selenium containing discharge lamp which is operated at a pressure of at least about 1 atmosphere contains a low ionization potential substance in the fill. Characteristics which are improved are one or more of spatial color uniformity, extinguishing characteristics, and bulb starting reliability. Particular substances which are added to the fill are alkali metal containing substances, III B metal containing substances, and alkaline earth metal containing substances. When light is reflected back into the bulb, the light which is re-emitted is stronger in the higher wavelengths.

Abstract: An electrodeless metal vapor discharge lamp having an airtight arc tube formed with a light transmitting material of metal oxide and containing as sealed therein luminescent substances containing at least one or more of rare earth metallic halide, further includes a promoting substance which renders a halogen cycle occurring adjacent to inner wall surface of the arc tube to be more easily promoted, so as to prevent lamp starting voltage from raising up.

Abstract: A metal halide lamp has an outer envelope (3, 23) of quartz glass which sounds a discharge vessel (2, 22) of quartz glass. The discharge vessel (2, 22) gas-tightly retains an ionizable fill which includes sodium. In order to avoid loss of sodium from the discharge vessel (2, 22) due to UV radiation impinging upon current supply wires (8, 9, 28, 29) extending from the discharge vessel (2, 22) within and into the outer envelope (3, 23), the quartz glass of the outer envelope is doped with materials absorbing UV radiation, preferably cerium aluminate and titanium oxide; the outer envelope is spaced from the discharge vessel by at most 5 mm, the sodium content in the ionizable fill is at most 0.7 mg.sup.3 of the discharge volume, and the space within the outer envelope is evacuated.

Abstract: A lamp for emitting in the visible portion of the spectrum, which utilizes a fill which includes a selenium and/or a sulfur containing substance. The lamp has superior performance characteristics, including long lifetime and excellent color rendition. The bulb may be either electrodeless or electroded, and may contain additives for emphasizing a desired spectral region.

Abstract: A sulfur, selenium, and/or tellurium based lamp for providing visible light. The lamp is operated in a regime for providing high efficacy wherein the ratio of the volume to surface area of the bulb is greater than 0.45 cm, the concentration of the sulfur, selenium, or tellurium is less than 1.75 mg/cc, and the power density is between about 100 watts/cc and 5 watts/cc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-pressure discharge lamp provided with a discharge vessel which is enclosed with intervening space by an outer bulb with a lamp cap, which lamp also comprises an UV-enhancer having a wall and an internal electrode and arranged in the space between outer bulb and discharge vessel.According to the invention, the wall of the UV-enhancer is made from ceramic material.The invention offers the advantage that the lamp ignites reliably at a comparatively low ignition voltage of 3 kV already.

Abstract: The spectral energy characteristic of a discharge lamp is controlled by changing the density of the fill substance. The spectral characteristic can be shifted while substantially maintaining its shape by changing the density of the fill. A sulfur or selenium containing discharge lamp which is operated at a pressure of at least about 1 atmosphere contains a low ionization potential substance in the fill. Characteristics which are improved are one or more of spatial color uniformity, extinguishing characteristics, and bulb starting reliability. Particular substances which are added to the fill are alkalai metal containing substances, III B metal containing substances, and alkaline earth metal containing substances. When light is reflected back into the bulb, the light which is re-emitted is stronger in the higher wavelengths.

Abstract: A cadmium discharge lamp which can emit line spectra with wavelengths of 214.+-.2 nm with high power is achieved by encapsulating metallic cadmium, in an amount producing a pressure in stationary lighting operation in the range from 2 kPa to 13.7 kPa, together with at least one of the rare gases xenon, krypton, argon and neon, in a temperature-controlled arc tube which is provided with electrodes located adjacently opposite one another, and by operating the lamp such that J/P is in the range from 1.4 to 75, where J is the discharge current in stationary lighting operation in amperes and the P is the cadmium pressure in stationary lighting operation.

Abstract: To minimize "color hue" and "flickering" on an irradiated surface such as a screen or the like, is achieved by the fact that, in a metal halide lamp of the short arc type which has a cathode and an anode in which at least rare earth halides and mercury are encapsulated and which is operated with an essentially horizontal discharge direction using direct current power, the cathode has a tungsten electrode shaft about which a tungsten coil is wound, and the relationship 0.029<S/I<0.076 is satisfied where S is the cross section of the electrode shaft (mm.sup.2) and I the current in steady-state luminous operation (A). In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the lamp is operable with a current I (amperes) in steady-state luminous operation in a range from 1.6<I<5.0 and the anode has a tip formed of a roughly cylindrical rod with a bevelled edge between a blunt end of the rod and a peripheral surface of the rod, and with the relationship of the current I and the area S of the blunt end (mm.

Abstract: A xenon arc lamp comprises a cylindrical ceramic body in which an elliptical reflector is molded to have a diameter of about 1.4 inches. The ends each have metal electrical contact rings, one for the anode and one for the cathode. The body has two different diameters with a step in between at the middle that is formed into the ceramic. A standardized anode heat sink for lesser-powered conventional one inch modular lamp bases is fitted to the base and makes thermal contact to the ledge underside of the step in the ceramic. Thus two dissimilar orthogonal heat transfer interfaces are formed, one radial which is metal to metal, and one axial which is ceramic to metal. A standardized cathode heat sink for the same lesser-powered conventional one inch modular lamp bases is relieved for about half of its inside length to accommodate the 1.4 inch reflector diameter and is fitted to the front.

Abstract: An excimer lamp utilizing a high pressure fill. The fill includes a halogen at an operating pressure of greater than about 350 torr or the combination of a halogen and a rare gas at a total operating pressure of greater than about 2.5 atmospheres.

Abstract: Ignition of an electrodeless lamp, energized by microwave or radio frequency energy, is achieved by disposing an additive material in the lamp envelope along with the primary fill material. In a first embodiment, the additive is at least partially electrically conductive at room temperatures but non-conductive or a vapor at lamp operating temperatures. The preferred additives for this embodiment are mercury sulfide and mercury selenide. In a second embodiment, the additive is a material, such as piezoelectric crystals, that produces sparks in the envelope when the crystals collide with each other, or with other materials, in response to agitation of the envelope. The additive may alternatively build up electrostatic charge by rubbing along the interior surface of the lamp envelope when the envelope is agitated, the charge build up being sufficient to ignite the primary fill material.

Abstract: Ignition of an electrodeless lamp, energized by microwave or radio energy, is achieved by disposing an additive material in the lamp envelope along with the primary fill material. In a first embodiment, the additive is at least partially electrically conductive at room temperatures but non-conductive or a vapor at lamp operating temperatures. The preferred additives for this embodiment are mercury sulfide and mercury selenide. In a second embodiment, the additive is a material, such as piezoelectric crystals, that produces sparks in the envelope when the crystals collide with each other, or with other materials, in response to agitation of the envelope. The additive may alternatively build up electrostatic charge by rubbing along the interior surface of the lamp envelope when the envelope is agitated, the charge build up being sufficient to ignite the primary fill material.

Abstract: A lamp for providing visible radiation includes tellurium or a tellurium compound in the fill. This substance is present in an amount such that when the fill is excited with sufficient power, substantially all of the radiation resulting from tellurium is emitted at wavelengths exceeding 400 nm. When tellurium is added to a sulfur or selenium based lamp for emitting visible radiation, the spectrum is shifted towards the red region.

Abstract: To improve the arc stability of high-pressure discharge lamps, particularly f power ratings of up to about only 250 W, the cathode (4) is formed as an elongated, essentially cylindrical base body (8) having a tapering, conical region (9) terminating in a tip (10). The base body (8), only, is covered with a carbide coating along its length, except for an end portion for electrical connection; the carbide coating starts at the junction or transition between the cylindrical base body portion and the conical end portion. This cathode construction is easier and cheaper to make than prior art cathodes, by coating an essentially cylindrical cathode and then etching or grinding and polishing the tapering end region (9). The electrode is preferably made essentially of tungsten, doped with thorium oxide present up to about 0.6%, optionally also potassium, aluminum and silicon in tiny amounts. The electrode spacing is between 0.4 to 0.

Abstract: A discharge lamp in which vaporization and melting of a cathode tip are prevented and which has stable luminous operation over a long is achieved according to the invention by the fact that the discharge lamp has a cathode in which a sintered body made of a powdered metal with a high melting point and a powdered emitter material is inserted in the tip, and the relationship:(-0.002d+0.01).ltoreq.D/W.ltoreq.(-0.002d+0.04)is fulfilled, where D is an outside diameter of the sintered body in millimeters (mm), W is a lamp input power in watts (w) and d is a distance between the anode and cathode in millimeters (mm). Furthermore, these benefits are achieved according to the invention by encapsulating mercury in an amount of 10 mg to 80 mg/cc of fluorescent tube internal volume and inert gas with at least 2 atm air pressure (at a reference temperature of 25.degree. C.).

Abstract: Electrodeless arc tubes for high pressure sodium discharge lamps comprise a substantially tubular, translucent body formed from a material comprising sintered polycrystalline alumina. The body has an inside diameter and an outside diameter and a given length. A fill comprising sodium and xenon are loaded within the body. At least one end-seal is provided for the body, the end-seal comprising a first alumina disc sealed within the inside diameter by compression, the first disc being spaced inwardly from an end of the body and having a substantially centrally located aperture therein. A second alumina disc seals the aperture, the second disc being bonded to the first disc and to the inner wall of the body by a sealing frit.

Abstract: The high pressure metal halide lamp has in a light transmitting discharge vessel discharge electrodes and a filling made of a rare gas, a buffer gas and at least one halide chosen from hafnium and zirconium bromide and chloride. The filling also includes a metal chosen from tin, tantalum and antimony in elementary form and is free from iodine in an amount exceeding 0.5 .mu.mol/cm.sup.3 discharge space. The lamp has considerably improved light generating properties.

Abstract: An excimer lamp utilizing a high pressure fill. The fill includes a halogen at an operating pressure of greater than about 350 torr or the combination of a halogen and a rare gas at a total operating pressure of greater than about 2.5 atmospheres.

Abstract: A discharge lamp uses resonance lines which are emitted by ions in an excitation state and has a high short wave ultraviolet ray output. The lamp is provided with a pair of electrodes, having a reciprocal spacing of equal to or smaller than 12 mm, and is of the electrode-stable type. As the major emission material, cadmium is encapsulated in a quantity permitting a partial pressure P in operation of 3.times.10.sup.3 Pa to 1.3.times.10.sup.5 Pa. The lighting operation is performed in a state in which a lamp current J.sub.L fulfills the following condition (a):0.7<J.sub.L /P.sup.1/4 <15.0. Condition (a)As an alternate major emission material, zinc can be encapsulated in a quantity permitting a partial pressure P in operation of 1.times.10.sup.3 Pa to 0.3.times.10.sup.5 Pa ant the lighting operation is performed in a state in which a lamp current J.sub.L fulfills the following condition (b):0.7<J.sub.L /P.sup.1/4 <16.9.

Abstract: A high pressure discharge lamp is disclosed. The high pressure discharge lamp includes: a discharge tube which is filled with gas; a first electrode having a first end, the first electrode being provided in the discharge tube; and a second electrode having a second end which is positioned away from the first end by a certain distance, the second electrode being provided in the discharge tube. In the high pressure discharge lamp, arc discharge is induced by a voltage applied between the first end of the first electrode and the second end of the second electrode. The high pressure discharge lamp further includes a convection regulating member which is electrically insulating and provided in the discharge tube. The convection regulating member suppresses the deformation of the arc discharge caused by the convection of the gas in the discharge tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-pressure sodium discharge lamp provided with a discharge vessel (3) with a ceramic wall (3a) of aluminum oxide in which at least Na as an ionizable filling component, a rare gas and Al (20) are present. According to the invention, the Al is provided near the wall of the discharge vessel in a location which reaches a temperature of at least 1000 K in the operational condition of the lamp.

Abstract: This invention relates to a high pressure sodium vapor discharge lamp the discharge space of which is enclosed by a ceramic vessel having hermetically sealed ceramic end members with electric lead wires connected with electrodes inside the discharge vessel and the discharge vessel contains sodium, noble gas, mercury in a concentration of 0-5 mg/cm.sup.3 and at least one further metal additive having a vapor pressure not exceeding 7.5 torr at 1000K temperature. The discharge lamp according to the invention is further characterized in that the molar fraction of sodium in the total metal additive exceeds 0.5 and the molar fraction of sodium is greater than four times the molar fraction of mercury.

Abstract: An arc tube for a discharge lamp unit which emits light which is suitable in luminous flux, color temperature, and chromaticity. The arc tube is composed of a closed glass ball in which electrodes confront one another and which is sealingly charged with light emitting materials, namely, mercury and a metal iodide of NaI and ScI.sub.3 groups together with Xe inert gas. In accordance with the invention, the closed glass ball has a volume of 20 to 50 .mu.l, the density of the mercury in the closed glass ball is in a range of 2.times.10.sup.-2 to 4.times.10.sup.-2 mg/.mu.l, the density of the metal iodide is in a range of 6.times.10.sup.-3 to 12.times.10.sup.-3 mg/.mu.l, and the charged Xe gas pressure is 3 to 6 atm. These ranges make it possible to readily manufacture on a large scale arc tubes which are substantially equal in performance, being substantially uniform in tube voltage, luminous flux, color temperature and chromaticity.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a short arc lamp comprising an alumina ceramic cylindrically shaped body with a concave opening at one end that is silvered to form a reflector, a cathode suspended within the concave opening in opposition to an anode that protrudes through a hole in the center of the concave opening from the opposite end of the body, a circular iron base that supports the anode at its center and attaches to the body with a metal ring that bridges a separation between the base and the body, and a copper heat transfer pad that is brazed to the inside of the metal ring and the body such that heat is efficiently transferred from the area of the concave reflector near the hole for the anode to a heat sink that attaches to the metal ring outside the lamp. A copper plug brazed as an integral part of the anode serves to distribute heat efficiently throughout the anode.

Abstract: The high-pressure discharge lamp has a filling in a discharge vessel (1) which includes a rare gas and a metal compound (2) chosen from hafnium halides and zirconium halides. The halide evaporates and discomposes to form incandescent, condensed metal particles. The lamp may be electrodeless and may in addition contain a buffer gas as a component of its filling. Alternatively, the lamp may have internal electrodes (13) and contain mercury (12) as a buffer gas. The lamp has favorable light generating properties, in particular a good color rendering, and in addition may have a very high luminous efficacy.

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.

Abstract: To generate light output from a metal halide discharge lamp having a fill which includes mercury, at least one noble gas, cesium and a metal halide, such that the color temperature will be between 4000 and 9000 K., and the color rendering index Ra is greater than 90, while, for the red spectral range, the color rendering index R.sub.9 is at least 50, the metal of the metal halides comprises hafnium, preferably present between 0.02 to 6 mg, or zirconium, preferably present between 0.01 to 4 mg, each per milliliter of volume of the discharge vessel (2, 14, 28). Both hafnium and zirconium may also be added.

Abstract: Two series connected high pressure sodium arc discharge tubes include a saturated arc tube and an unsaturated arc tube. When the saturated arc tube voltage shifts in value due to changes in operating conditions, the other unsaturated arc tube voltage does not shift to compensate for the voltage increase. Because the unsaturated arc tube voltage does not shift, the rate of voltage shift of the saturated arc tube is smaller in magnitude than otherwise would occur if both arc tubes were saturated.

Abstract: A high pressure sodium discharge lamp having an arc tube mounted within a lamp envelope and having a resistor connected electrically in series with the arc tube. An insulative body is provided between the arc tube feed-through closest to the stem and a rigid conductor for axially supporting the arc tube and electrically insulating the feed-through from the rigid conductor. The series flicker-elimination resistor is mounted adjacent the lamp stem and electrically shunts the insulative body. An integral thick film resistor which includes the series resistor and a starting resistor for a starting circuit has optimized terminal placement for simplifying mount construction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-pressure sodium discharge lamp which under nominal operating conditions radiates white light with a maximum color rendering index R.sub.a of more than 80. Since the wall load is above 80 W/cm.sup.2 under nominal operating conditions, a color temperature T.sub.c of at least 2800.degree. K. can be achieved with a luminous efficacy of more than 40 lm/W.

Abstract: A spark gap switch system is disclosed which is capable of operating at a high pulse rate comprising an insulated switch housing having a purging gas entrance port and a gas exit port, a pair of spaced apart electrodes each having one end thereof within the housing and defining a spark gap therebetween, an easily condensable and preferably low molecular weight insulating gas flowing through the switch housing from the housing, a heat exchanger/condenser for condensing the insulating gas after it exits from the housing, a pump for recirculating the condensed insulating gas as a liquid back to the housing, and a heater exchanger/evaporator to vaporize at least a portion of the condensed insulating gas back into a vapor prior to flowing the insulating gas back into the housing.

Abstract: A triggerable, high voltage, high current, spark gap switch for use in pu power systems. The device comprises a pair of electrodes in a high pressure hydrogen environment that is triggered by introducing an arc between one electrode and a trigger pin. Unusually high repetition rates may be obtained by undervolting the switch, i.e., operating the trigger at voltages much below the self-breakdown voltage of the device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus to produce a noble-gas plasma for excitation in optical emission spectrometry. The apparatus includes an hf generator feeding an oscillation circuit consisting of at least one inductor and one capacitor. The capcitor includes at least two capacitor plates which are so shaped and mutually arranged that they enclose a cavity in which the plasma may form.

Abstract: An improved radiation-emitting device of the type for containing gas and an electron flow therein between electrodes. First and second separate elongated principal members form an elongated envelope volume having constant cross-sections along its length. The members are arranged and configured so that the envelope volume is less than that of a cylinder of similar cross-dimension. The inner surface of the second principal member has projecting structures which extend to distal ends adjacent to the first principal member.

Abstract: A short-arc lamp of the type having an internally integral reflector including electrodes mounted to extend along a central axis of symmetry of the lamp and having distal ends of similar shape which are spaced apart to define a short-arc gap such that the lamp can be directly driven by alternating current.

Abstract: An electrically-conductive member is provided on the outer wall of a cathode-sealing portion of a dc discharge lamp such as a super high pressure mercury vapor lamp, and the electrically-conductive member is electrically connected to a sealed cathodic conductor which is contained in the cathode-sealing portion and connected to its cathode rod. The electric potential of the electrically-conductive member is thus kept equal to that of the sealed cathodic conductor while the dc discharge lamp is in operation. As a result, the air-tight connection between the sealed cathodic conductor and the quartz glass of the cathode-sealing portion is maintained stably over a long period of time. Such a dc discharge lamp assures long service life and high reliability.

Abstract: A metal vapor discharge lamp has a burner for sealing xenon gas, mercury and a light-emitting additive in a translucent ceramic tube, a starting device of a thermal switch type which has a series circuit of a thermal switch and a coil filament and which is connected in parallel with the burner, and an outer envelope for sealing the burner and the starting device therein. In the lamp, the following inequalities must be satisfied:13.3.ltoreq.P.multidot.(B/A).ltoreq.6650.05.ltoreq.d.ltoreq.0.122,200.ltoreq.T.ltoreq.2,800where A is the volume (cm.sup.3) of the outer envelope, B is the volume (cm.sup.3) of the burner, P is a gas pressure (Pa) at room temperature of xenon sealed in the burner, d is a diameter (mm) of the coil filament, and T is a temperature (K) of the coil filament during operation.

Abstract: An improved short-arc gas discharge lamp having a solid ceramic body with an integral reflector surface. The lamp includes a sapphire window, fitted to one end of the ceramic body, and a thermally and electrically conductive base fitted to the opposite end of the ceramic cylinder to form a sealed pressure chamber. The window is secured to a unitary U-shaped flange for improved strength and leak resistance. A pair of annular back-up rings secure the window flange to the ceramic body so as to relieve stress on the window flange. The reflective surface is formed by pressing the ceramic body, when hot, with an unpolished mandrel, for greater accuracy in surface configuration. A smooth, highly reflective surface is obtained by subsequent surface treatment.

Abstract: The laser-triggered high voltage rail gap switch includes two parallel electrodes in a high pressure environment of SF.sub.6 and Ar. A pulsed UV laser directs a coherent beam parallel to the electrodes to initiate multichannel breakdown in the gap between the electrodes. This breakdown is enhanced by including an organic additive such as fluorobenzene or tri-n-propylamine in the gas mixture.

Abstract: The laser-triggered high voltage rail gap switch includes two parallel electrodes in a high pressure environment of SF.sub.6 and Ar. A pulsed UV laser directs a coherent beam parallel to the electrodes to initiate multichannel breakdown in the gap between the electrodes. This breakdown occurs at a fixed time delay after the laser pulse. This breakdown is enhanced by including an organic additive such as fluorobenzene or tri-n-propylamine in the gas mixture.