Abstract: A gas discharge tube 100 including a sealed container 1 in which a gas is sealed, an anode disposed within the sealed container, a cathode 7 which is spaced from the anode 4 in the sealed container 1 and generates discharge between the cathode 7 and the anode 4, a conductive part 6 restricting a discharge path, the conductive part 6 being disposed between the anode 4 and the cathode 7 and narrowing the discharge path, wherein by providing a cathode cover 8 which is made of ceramics, encloses the cathode 7, and has an opening 8d at least on an electron emission side, the cathode cover 8 increases the heat retaining effect of the cathode 7, makes it easy to keep the temperature of the cathode 7, and reduces power consumption.

Abstract: A flange portion is integrally formed with a stem which forms a sealing envelope for a gas discharge tube. Accordingly, operation for building and fixing the flange portion is not necessary, so that lamp assembly operation is simplified, and mass production is facilitated. In addition, when a gas discharge tube is to be fixed to an external stem setting portion, lamp setting is enabled at higher precision by utilizing positioning holes formed in the flange portion in advance.

Abstract: While high heat is generated in the anode section in the gas discharge tube in accordance with the present invention during its use, the heat is transmitted to the stem by way of the anode support plate due to a configuration in which the anode support plate abuts against the stem, and is released outside from the stem, whereby the cooling efficiency of the anode section is improved. Since the anode section employs not a floating structure including stem pins interposed therein but a configuration in which it is seated on the stem by way of the anode support plate, the anode section is stabilized on the stem, whereby the resistance to vibration improves. Also, for assembling the anode section into a sealed envelope, it will be sufficient if the anode support plate is mounted on the stem, which contributes to improving the easiness in assembling the gas discharge tube.

Abstract: A gas discharge lamp having a translucent envelope enclosing a light emitting assembly that includes a baffle and an anode separated by one or more spacers made of an electrically insulating material such as ceramic, which are oriented towards a heated cathode to receive electrons emitted therefrom. Each spacer has a front surface, a rear surface, a top surface and a bottom surface including a transverse cavity formed between the front and rear surfaces to permit electrons to flow through. The cavity extends from a first through-hole in the front surface to a second through-hole in the rear surface of the spacer. Further, the cavity includes a gap for allowing conductive materials that may sputter or evaporate from the anode or the baffle to escape from the cavity to prevent short circuiting between the anode and the baffle.

Abstract: A gas discharge tube includes a light-emitting section in an envelope sealing a gas therein, positioned at distal ends of lead pins while spaced from an inner side wall of the envelope. The light-emitting section includes a hot cathode, an anode, a focusing electrode, and a discharge shielding member having a front surface which faces the hot cathode. The front surface of the discharge shielding member is defined by a first surface being in direct contact with the focusing electrode, for defining a position of the focusing electrode, a second surface continued from the first surface, for defining a distance between the focusing electrode and the anode, and a third surface continued from the second surface and being in direct contact with the anode, for defining a position of the anode.

Abstract: A conductive link maintains the electrode of a fluorescent lamp and a conductive electrode guard at the same electrical potential to reduce lamp power dissipation. The conductive link is a bimetal strip arranged for electrically connecting an electrode lead-in with the electrode guard or electrode guard support upon heating by the discharge arc during lamp operation.

Abstract: A conductive link maintains the electrode of a fluorescent lamp and a conductive electrode guard at the same electrical potential to reduce lamp power dissipation. The conductive link may be a fuse wire to protect the lamp ballast from excessive current upon electrode failure and shorting to the electrode guard.

Abstract: A hollow cathode assembly especially suitable for a boosted discharge hollow cathode lamp includes, a hollow cathode open at spaced apart ends, formed from a selected element which characterizes the assembly, and a cathode support. An anode is spaced from one of the open ends of the cathode, while an electron emitter has its outlet spaced from the other open end of the cathode. An inner envelope is provided to constrain the electron stream from the electron emitter to the anode to pass through the cathode. The cathode support is not insulated to prevent surface discharge therefrom but in operation of the lamp, the stream of electrons from the electron emitter through the cathode to the anode substantially confines surface discharge to the interior of the cathode.

Abstract: A high performance hollow cathode lamp comprises an common anode and an open-ended hollow cylinder as primary cathode consisting of a selected element adapted to produce a primary electric discharge, which give rise to an atomic vapor of said element by cathode sputtering from the primary cathode, between the anode and the primary cathode. An auxiliary cathode in form of hollow cylinder with one or two open ends is provided to produce a secondary electric discharge. A shielding tube covering the anode and the primary cathode serves to constrain the electron stream of the secondary discharge extending from the auxiliary cathode to the common anode to pass through the primary cathode to excite further the atoms in the vapor to emit radiation characteristic of said element.

Abstract: An ion source for an intense ion beam from a solid source is formed with a cathode around a central anode. A source of magnetic field with closely spaced poles is formed around a central region of the cathode so that the most intense region of the magnetic field is a torus on the inside of the cathode and the field at the anode is weak. A torus of plasma can be formed near the inside surface of the cathode which can be coated with solid source material. An ion beam can be extracted through an aperture in the cathode.

Abstract: An anode structure for use in high voltage vacuum devices which reduces the effects of thermal stresses on breakdown voltage includes an anode having at least one flat surface and a mesh of electrically conductive material disposed adjacent to the flat surface. The mesh serves to reduce the electric field on the surface of the anode which faces the cathode of a vacuum device, thereby reducing the electrostatic force in the direction of the cathode on both particles dislodged from the surface of the anode by electrons from the cathode striking the anode, and free particles found in the evacuable volume of the vacuum device. The mesh may either overlay the surface of the anode, so that it is in direct contact with the anode surface, or, alternatively, it may be supported in a spaced-apart relationship with the anode surface by a plurality of posts located between the mesh and the anode surface.