Abstract: A metal halide discharge lamp which essentially permits disusing mercury is provided. The metal halide discharge lamp comprises a refractory and transparent hermetic vessel, a pair of electrodes fixed to the hermetic vessel, and a discharge medium sealed in the hermetic vessel and containing a first halide, a second halide, and a rare gas. The first halide is a halide of a metal which achieves a desired light emission. The second halide has a relatively high vapor pressure, being at least one halide of a metal which is unlikely to emit a visible light compared with the metal of the first halide and acts as a buffer gas.

Abstract: A vessel has a main body and a plugging members made of alumina. First composite electrode has a cylindrical current conductor having substantially same diameter as a diameter of the opening portion at one end of the vessel, and an electrode jointed by welded at a bottom of the current conductor exposed to inside of the vessel. The current conductor of the first composite electrodes has a cylindrical member made of alumina and a metallization layer made of molybdenum and alumina. A ceramic discharge tube is made in that the vessel and a first composite electrode have been subjected to a co-firing into an integrated body, with the first composite electrode inserted into the opening portion at one end of the vessel so that the electrode is exposed to the inner space with one end of the first composite electrode is exposed to outside of the vessel.

Abstract: A high pressure lamp bulb adapted to simultaneously emit distinct emission spectra of a desired wavelength, the lamp bulb comprising an envelope for containing a fill material under pressure and a fill material, the fill material including a material capable of forming at least two dissimilar excimer species in an amount to provide a total fill pressure no less than about 750 Torr at room temperature.

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: A low-pressure mercury vapor-filled discharge lamp has a glass arc tube and a glass outer tube disposed coaxially with the arc tube forming a space therebetween. A gas is disposed in the space. The arc tube contains a gas and is coated with a phosphor. A first seal hermetically seals the inner tube. A second seal seals the inner tube to the outer tube. The inner tube further contains a pair of cathodes coupled to Dumet wires extending from the interior of the inner tube to the outside of the lamp structure. The pressure in the space is set at not more than 1 Pa, which is nearly high vacuum. The longer the radial dimension of the space, the greater the heat retaining capacity and the better the temperature characteristics which can be obtained. However, by setting the pressure of the space at 1 Pa or less, the optimum heat retaining capacity can be obtained while reducing the diameter of the low-pressure mercury vapor filled discharge lamp 1.

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: A flat-panel gas discharge display operable with either alternating or direct current includes magnetic elements within certain of the electrodes which define the discharge cell. The display may be free of implosive forces when operated at least at substantially atmospheric pressure. The display comprises a first set of conductors disposed on a transparent substrate and a second set crossing over the first set at a distance therefrom. The second set of conductors includes a magnetic core or layer whereby the second set of conductors is magnetically attracted to an array of contact points on the substrate. An array of crosspoints is formed at each location where a conductor of the second set crosses over a conductor of the first set. A gas is contained in the space between the first and second sets of conductors at each crosspoint. The gas will undergo light emissive discharge when a voltage greater than or equal to the Paschen minimum firing voltage is applied at a crosspoint.

Abstract: This invention provides a low pressure mercury vapor electric discharge lamp composed of a glass bulb whose inner surface is coated with a fluorescent material film, the fluorescent material film contains a fluorescent material, pyrophosphate having an average grain size of 3.0 .mu.m or less and preferably 1.0 .mu.m or less, at least one of alkaline earth metal salt and nitrate, and a boric acid compound. According to the above arrangement, there can be obtained a low pressure mercury vapor electric discharge lamp having an improved fluorescent material film adhering strength, an improved total beam of light, a high beam of light maintaining ratio and a less amount of blacking.

Abstract: A mercury-free ultraviolet (UV) discharge source includes an elongated envelope having a diameter in a preferred range from approximately 2 to 3 cm, containing a rare gas fill (xenon or krypton, including mixtures of these with other rare gases) at a pressure in a range from approximately 10 millitorr to approximately 200 millitorr and a power supply for ionizing the rare gas fill and generating a discharge current in a range from approximately 100 to approximately 500 milliamperes (mA). The UV discharge source has an efficiency and output comparable to existing mercury-based low-pressure discharge sources and is intended for use with a suitable phosphor capable of converting the UV radiation to visible light in a fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: This invention involves a new type of feedthrough-plug member for metal halide HID lamp using PCA envelopes. The construction of the lamp housing consists of a PCA envelope and specially designed axially graded alumina-metal cermet multi-layers to eliminate cracking in cermet or PCA due to thermal stresses arising from thermal expansion mismatch. The fills are metal halides such as Na--Sc--I, rare earth halides, Hg, Sn, and inert gases. The PCA vessel and directly sealed cermet-feedthrough assemblies allow the metal halide lamps to operate at high wall temperatures with better lumen output, color temperature, and CRI.

Abstract: An electrodeless lamp arrangement powered by RF energy. The lamp arrangement having an envelope that is rotated and most importantly the envelope forms the center of a coaxial arrangment used to transfer the RF energy into the envelope.

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 lighting unit includes a discharge vessel having a wall provided with a first luminescent layer, a gas fill consisting essentially of neon at a pressure less than 30 mbar, and a means for providing a constant DC current for exciting the fill in the discharge vessel to emit UV light for exciting the luminescent layer. DC operation offers substantially higher luminous flux over AC operation. The lighting unit may further include a housing having a reflective surface, a second luminescent layer, and a filter incorporated within the discharge vessel.

Abstract: An electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp including a sealed light-transmissive envelope, a volatilizable chemical fill and an inert gas or nitrogen within the envelope. The chemical fill includes as a primary active component phosphorus or a volatilizable compound of phosphorus. The inert gas or nitrogen is at a pressure of less than 760 torr at ambient temperature, and assists in starting the lamp. Sufficient mercury may be added to the lamp fill to improve resistive heating, but addition of mercury is not required for emission. Sulfur, a sulfur compound, or a metal halide may be added to the fill as a secondary active component. The lamp envelope is coupled to a high frequency power source to produce a light emitting plasma discharge within the envelope.

Abstract: A flat-panel gas discharge display operable with either alternating or direct current is free of implosive forces because it operates at least at substantially atmospheric pressure. The display comprises a first set of conductors disposed on a transparent substrate and a second set crossing over the first set at a distance therefrom. An array of crosspoints is formed at each location where a conductor of the second set crosses over a conductor of the first set. A gas is contained in the space between the first and second sets of conductors at each crosspoint. The gas will undergo light emissive discharge when a voltage greater than or equal to the Paschen minimum firing voltage is applied at a crosspoint. Air may be used as the operative gas. The display is formed on a single substrate, and may be stacked with additional displays in lieu of one or more capping layers. At least one of the sets of conductors may be provided with an aperture at each of the crosspoints to facilitate viewing the discharge.

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: The first object of the present invention is to provide a PDP with improved panel brightness which is achieved by improving the efficiency in conversion from discharge energy to visible rays. The second object of the present invention is to provide a PDP with improved panel life which is achieved by improving the protecting layer protecting the dielectrics glass layer. To achieve the first object, the present invention sets the amount of xenon in the discharge gas to the range of 10% by volume to less than 100% by volume, and sets the charging pressure for the discharge gas to the range of 500 to 760Torr which is higher than conventional charging pressures. With such construction, the panel brightness increases. Also, to achieve the second object, the present invention has, on the surface of the dielectrics glass layer, a protecting layer consisting of an alkaline earth oxide with (100)-face or (110)-face orientation.

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 light which utilizes a fill containing selenium and/or sulfur, or compounds of these substances. The lamp is excited such that the excited fill emits radiation from elemental selenium and/or elemental sulfur which is in a continuous band principally within the visible range.

Abstract: A high-pressure sodium discharge lamp provided with a ceramic discharge vessel, in which sodium, mercury and xenon are present, of which the xenon is at a pressure at 300K of at least 26.7 kPa. The sodium and the mercury are present in a weight ratio Na/Hg which is at least 0.075 and at most 0.125. The lamp generates in the operating condition a spectrum, in which at a wavelength of 589.3 nm a self-absorption band is present, which is limited by spectral flanks each flank having a respective maximum. There is a wavelength difference .DELTA..lambda. of at least 3.5 nm and at most 6 nm between the maxima.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp (2) having at least two phosphor coatings (12) on the surface of the sealed lamp bulb, typically an inner surface. There is variable driving means which preferentially activates one phosphor and not the other phosphors, at one arrangement or setting or configuration of the driving means, while at another setting the driving means activates in addition a different or several different phosphors. Each phosphors may be a blend of phosphors and the phosphors and/or blends may be overcoated upon one another forming multiple layers or all mixed together and applied as a one layer coating on the lamp surface.

Abstract: An method of operating a neon stop lamp for a vehicle is described. By adjusting the lamp pressure, the then controlling the frequency and pulse width of the power, the lamp efficiency can be increased, while also shifting the chromaticity for the lamp to comply with automotive standards. The result is a small, efficient light source whose light may be reflected and focused, and whose color is correct for vehicle warning lights.

Abstract: A nearly pure neon is described along with a method of operating the lamp. A phosphor is coated on the lamp wall. By properly stimulating the neon, ultraviolet light may be emitted, that can stimulate the phosphor to a first light emission. The lamp may then be operated to produce a visible light emission that is the result of neon emission or of intermediate combinations of the neon and phosphor emissions. A single neon lamp may then produce in one instance, an amber color, or in other instance, a red color without the cold environment problems typical of a mercury based lamp. The output efficiency is enhanced when the lamp is formed as an aperture lamp. The narrow source is also useful as a source in reflector and lens systems. High pressure neon lamps offer a small source size, direct color with no filtering, good tolerance of impact and jarring, moderate cost, and increased vehicle styling potential.

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 low-pressure mercury discharge lamp with a very good color rendering and with a color point (x.sub.L, y.sub.I) on or close to the Planckian locus, includes a gastight, radiation-transmitting envelope which contains mercury and rare gas, and a luminescent layer includinga first luminescent material activated by bivalent europium and having an emission band whose maximum lies between 470 nm and 500 nm and whose half-value width is at most 90 nm,a second luminescent material activated by bivalent manganese and having at least an emission band mainly in the red region of the visible spectrum,a third luminescent material with a band emission whose maximum lies between 430 nm and 490 nm,a fourth luminescent material with emission mainly between 520 nm and 565 nm, anda fifth luminescent material with emission mainly between 590 nm and 630 nm.

Abstract: A flat-panel gas discharge display operable with either alternating or direct current is free of implosive forces because it operates at substantially atmospheric pressure. The display comprises a first set of conductors disposed on a transparant substrate and a second set of conductors crossing over the first set at a distance therefrom. An array of crosspoints is formed at each location where a conductor of the second set crosses over a conductor of the first set. A gas is contained in the space between the sets of conductors at each crosspoint. The gas will undergo light emissive discharge when a Paschen minimum firing voltage is applied to the pair of crossed conductors crossing at that crosspoint. Air may be used as the operative gas. The display may be formed on a single side of the substrate. At least one of the sets of conductors may be provided with an aperture at each of the crosspoints to facilitate viewing the discharge. A system incorporating the flat-panel display is described.

Abstract: A high power lamp which utilzes a lamp fill containing sulfur or selenium, or compounds of these substances. An electrodeless lamp utilizing such a fill at a pressure at least as high as 1 atmosphere is excited at a power density in excess of 50 watts/cc. An arc lamp utilizing the fill at a pressure at least as high as 1 atmosphere is excited at a power density of at least 60 watts/cm.

Abstract: A low pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp is operated at a power more than 550 W/m.sup.2. The lamp has a first layer comprising first grains coated on the inner surface of the tube thereof and a second layer comprising second grains coated on the first layer. The second grains are more positive in contact electrification than the first grains. The lamp reduces an early decrease in luminous flux.

Abstract: A tungsten halogen lamp producing infra red radiation, for example for cooking or heating, has an envelope of high silica content material sealed at each end by a pinch seal. A gas fill is at a room temperature pressure of 250-750 mm Hg. A portion of the envelope at each end is clear and the rest contains an opacifier which reduces transmission of visible light. A suitable opacifier is red, being produced by the reduction of copper oxide dispersed in the high silica content material. The envelope is produced by butt joining clear end sections and a tube of material containing opacifier.

Abstract: A source of red light includes a double-bore capillary tube having a pair of ends and a convoluted shape. A pair of electrodes is located at one end of the capillary tube and disposed within respective bores. An ionizable medium is enclosed within the capillary tube and includes neon at a pressure from about 300 to 600 torr. When energized, the ionizable medium generates an arc discharge between the electrodes consisting primarily of radiation in the range of from 590 to 670 nanometers. An outer jacket of vitreous material may surround the capillary tube and contain an inert gas (e.g., nitrogen) at a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing incandescent lamps with halogen, particularly fluorine filling comprising the steps of preparing a body of an incandescent lamp, the body consisting of an envelope made of a translucent material, an incandescent filament arranged within the envelope on supporting means, current lead-in members and a sucking pipe communicating with the inner space of the envelope, evacuating the inner space to a pressure from about 4 Pa to about 5 Pa by the means of a pumping system connected with the sucking pipe, introducing into the inner space a filling comprising an inert gas and a halogen element, ensuring thereby inner pressure about 10.sup.5 Pa within the envelope, closing the sucking pipe for separating the body from the pumping system, and carrying out the evacuating process with a stop at an intermediate pressure, heating up the body to a temperature in the range from about 500.degree. C. to about 600.degree. C. and then continuing the evacuating process.

Abstract: Provided is a means for triggering certain high voltage electronic, gas discharge switches that are a novel type of high power thyratron. Triggering of switches of the so-called "backlighted thyratron" type (a type of cold cathode thyratron) is enhanced by the inclusion of a very small, photoemissive cathode, separate and isolated from the main switch electrodes, to initiate the triggering discharge. The trigger cathode is protected from destruction by the main discharge current through the switch by mechanically and electrically isolating it from further participation in the discharge once the triggering process has been initiated. Alternatively, photosensitive material is coated on the backside of one of the main switch electrodes. A light source located externally of the switch directs light through a sealed aperture into the interior of the switch where it is incident on the photosensitive material generating electrons which in turn trigger the main switch discharge.

Abstract: The invention provides a rare gas discharge fluorescent lamp device which is long in life and high in brightness and efficiency. The lamp device comprises a rare gas discharge fluorescent lamp including a bulb having rare gas such as xenon, argon or krypton gas enclosed therein, a fluorescent layer formed on an inner face of the bulb, a reflecting film formed on an inner face of the fluorescent layer, and a pair of electrodes located at the opposite ends of the bulb. The lamp device further comprises a power source for applying a voltage across the electrodes, and pulse voltage forming means connected between the electrodes and the power source for forming a dc pulse voltage from a voltage supplied from the power source. The dc pulse voltage thus formed is applied across the electrodes to cause the lamp to be lit.

Abstract: A rare gas discharge lamp device comprises a bulb with a rare gas sealed therein, a pair of internal electrodes provided within the bulb, a phosphor layer formed on the inner surface of the bulb, a lighting circuit adapted to apply voltage across two internal electrodes to produce a discharge or a positive column between the internal electrodes, and an auxiliary electrode formed on the outer surface of the bulb and extending in the longitudinal direction of the bulb, the positive column being attracted toward the auxiliary electrode, and a window formed on the bulb in a manner to face the auxiliary electrode for emitting visible light to be produced within the bulb.

Abstract: To shorten the time between firing of a high-pressure discharge lamp and stantial light output therefrom, the discharge lamp includes a fill of xenon, at a cold fill pressure of at least 3 bar, in addition to mercury and a metal halide; the discharge vessel (2) is, at least in part, coated or doped so that invisible radiation is reflected into the lamp, or absorbed, while visible radiation is being transmitted by the discharge vessel. The shafts of the electrodes are thin, of only about 0.3 mm diameter, and the electrodes facing each other are part-spherical or rounded. The lamp is operated in combination with a lamp power supply (S) which has the characteristics of being capable of supplying between 5 to 10 times normal operating current of the lamp under starting conditions.

Abstract: A rare gas discharge lamp device comprises a bulb with a rare gas sealed therein, a pair of internal electrodes provided within the bulb, a phosphor layer formed on the inner surface of the bulb, a lighting circuit adapted to apply voltage across two internal electrodes to produce a discharge or a positive column between the internal electrodes, and an auxiliary electrode formed on the outer surface of the bulb and extending in the longitudinal direction of the bulb, the positive column being attracted toward the auxiliary electrode, and a window formed on the bulb in a manner to face the auxiliary electrode for emitting visible light to be produced within the bulb.

Abstract: A rare-gas arc lamp includes a pair of coil filaments disposed at the opposite ends of an elongated bulb for increasing an area of a positive column produced between the coil filament pair in a direction perpendicular to the elongated axis of the bulb, and a rare-gas mainly including xenon gas and having substantially no mercury therein sealed in the bulb at a prescribed pressure selected from the range between 20 Torr and 200 Torr. The combination of the coil filament pair and the xenon gas sealed in the bulb at a prescribed pressure in the range of 20 Torr to 200 Torr may reduce visible changes in a luminance distribution of the lamp when the positive column fluctuates during the operation of the lamp.

Abstract: A sealed beam lamp having an outer envelope defining a gas-tight enclosure filled with an inert nonreactive gas at a pressure in the range of 5 to 50 Torrs, and an illuminating burner capsule mounted within the enclosure. The integrity of the gas-tight enclosure as well as the pressure of the gas is verified by creating a predetermined electrical potential within the enclosure to form a glow discharge in the gas if the gas pressure is within a predetermined range indicating the lamp is serviceable and an arc discharge if the gas pressure is in excess of the range indicating the lamp is defective.

Abstract: Neon lamps are disclosed which are used to modify previously formed charge levels on the surface of a photoconductive member. The lamps have cold cathode electrodes sealed into its opposite ends and are filled with neon at a pressure range of from 18 to 25 torr.

Abstract: A discharge lamp comprising an inner arc tube and an outer tube enclosing the inner tube. The outer tube is filled with neon at a pressure of 0.1 atm or more, or a gas mixture of neon in 80 pressure percent or more and breakdown suppressing gas.

Abstract: A high pressure sodium lamp operated at increased pressure and having an improved color rendition is disclosed. The improved high pressure sodium lamp has an arc tube which reduces the sodium losses typically experienced by high pressure operation.

Abstract: A high pressure sodium lamp having an inner arc tube operated at an increased wall temperature so as to improve the efficacy of the lamp is disclosed. The improved high pressure sodium lamp has an arc tube which reduces the sodium losses typically experienced by high temperature operation. Also disclosed are desired parameters of the arc tube.

Abstract: A lamp primarily containing neon gas is supplied with alternating electrical power at a frequency of not less than 5 kHz. The discharge current is determined on the basis of the gas pressure such that no striations occur. If necessary, getter means including a metal element belonging to the second, third, fourth or fifth periodic group are provided near each electrode, oriented so as not to interfere with any electron emissions from the lamp electrodes.

Abstract: A high pressure metal vapor discharge lamp comprising a discharge tube disposed in an outer jacket; said discharge tube having electrodes and containing a filling comprising a starting rare gas composed primarily of xenon at a pressure from 40 to 200 Torr; means for starting said discharge tube comprising a glow starter comprising a pair of contacts spaced apart not more than 2.5 mm from each other, and containing a gas composed primarily of argon at a pressure of at least 7 Torr; the pressure in said glow starter (P.sub.g) being related to the pressure in the discharge tube (P.sub.i), according to the expression ##EQU1## and a starting electric conductor adapted to contact the discharge tube on starting thereof and to separate from the discharge tube after starting.