Abstract: The anodes in a ring laser gyroscope are appropriately positioned for the easy starting of a gas discharge and maintaining the discharge at a lower electrical potential. Two operating anodes are placed symmetrical with and in close proximity to a cathode while a third trigger anode is placed in direct line of sight with the cathode. This configuration allows ease in starting without using a very large starting voltage.

Abstract: A first display discharge lamp has a transparent airtight container filled with a discharge gas; a positive electrode disposed in the airtight container and supported by a stem having an air tube therein; a negative electrode of an inverted configuration disposed in the transparent airtight container and surrounded by the positive electrode; a lead member integrally formed with the positive electrode, having a bent portion between a lower end of the negative electrode and the stem; and an insulating member disposed between the lower end of the negative electrode and the bent portion of the lead member. According to a second display discharge lamp, both a negative electrode and a positive electrode are of an inverted conical configuration. The former has at least an open upper end, while the latter has an open upper end and an open lower end. A lower end of the positive electrode is inserted in an interior of the negative electrode from the open upper end of the negative electrode.

Abstract: An optical light source device includes a source member providing the emission of electromagnetic radiation wavelengths in the optical region of the spectrum, and at least one cavity waveguide member coupled with the electromagnetic radiation source member having a predetermined lateral dimension. The cavity waveguide member and predetermined dimension restrict the emission of electromagnetic radiation in the long wavelength non-visible infra-red range. In a preferred embodiment, the optical light source is formed with an array of optical light source members and associated cavity waveguide members.

Abstract: An electric discharge device has a conductive shell mounted in a non-conductive tube. A non-conductive collar can mount in the conductive shell. The collar includes an annular neck and an annular flange. The neck is encircled by a central annular groove located between a spaced pair of circumferential plateaus. The plateaus are radially dimensioned to fit in the conductive shell. The annular flange is coaxially affixed to and radially larger than the annular neck.

Abstract: A method for making gaseous discharge lamp cathodes comprises, in order to perfectly center the cathode with respect to the tube glass envelope, the steps of: (a) narrowing the end portion of the metal cathode near the edge thereof, (b) fully inserting, about the narrowed zone, a circular crown shaped mica small collar and (c) upsetting the edge so as to lock the mica collar in place.

Abstract: A cathode (12) for a glow discharge device and comprising a hollow body provided with an opening and having an internal working surface (18) which is substantially frusto-ellipsoidal. The cathode has particular application to a laser gyroscope.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to an electron source which contains, in a low pressure chamber, an anode (A), a cathode (K) and means for applying a magnetic field (13). The cathode is constituted by an equipotential cavity (10) provided with an aperture (11) on the side of the anode. The magnetic field is applied parallel to the anode-cathode direction at the aperture.

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 laser arrangement includes electron beam apparatus comprising a plurality of electrodes, each of which having an aperture therethrough. The apertures are aligned along the longitudinal axis of an envelope which surrounds them and contains gas. The electrodes are electrically connected such that, of an adjacent pair, one is at a lower potential than the other. An electron beam is produced between the first electrode and an adjacent electrode, and is accelerated along the axis through the apertures, the electron current increasing in magnitude. The electron beam produced is used to provide pumping powder to the gas contained within the envelope such that it acts as a laser amplifying medium.

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: A cold cathode for generating an abnormal glow discharge electron beam within a vacuum chamber is mounted to a wall of the vacuum chamber such that only the emitting front face of the cold cathode, itself electrically insulated from the vacuum chamber wall by a narrow gap therebetween, is located inside the vacuum chamber, while the remainder of the cold cathode is located outside the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A hollow cathode discharge device loosely supported by a cathode lead-in 26 in a glass sleeve 32, the device including a ceramic shield 42 received in the rim 38 of the glass sleeve in freely slidable relation thereto, and maintained in position by holding means such as a mica disc 48 supported from the anode structure including an anode lead-in 30.

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: The present invention provides apparatus for forming electron beams, which may be advantageously employed in many applications, for example in display devices or thyratrons. A cathode member has a hole in its front surface. All the surfaces of the cathode member, except for the wall and base of the holes, are covered in an electrically insulating material such as glass. The cathode member and an anode member are contained within an envelope which also contains a gas filling. On application of a suitably high voltage between the cathode and anode members an electron beam is formed extensive in a direction away from the hole. The anode member may be located behind the front surface of the cathode member, and an electron beam still forms in front of the front surface.

Abstract: The hollow cathode lamp can be used as a light source for the atomic absorption and scintillation spectroscopies. It contains a diffusion-protection cylinder to trap the cathode material by blocking the light emission window from the cathode material; the cylinder encloses the optical path leading from the cathode to the light emission window in a space between the cathode and the light emission window.

Abstract: A temperature responsive thermionic gas switch having folded electron emitting surfaces. An ionizable gas is located between the emitter and an interior surface of a collector, coaxial with the emitter. In response to the temperature exceeding a predetermined level, sufficient electrons are derived from the emitter to cause the gas in the gap between the emitter and collector to become ionized, whereby a very large increase in current in the gap occurs. Due to the folded emitter surface area of the switch, increasing the "on/off" current ratio and adjusting the "on" current capacity is accomplished.

Abstract: The life of a low-pressure, hollow cathode lamp with an oxygen/nitrogen filling is extended by the inclusion of MnO.sub.2 which releases oxygen, thereby replenishing oxygen consumption in the lamp.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light source having an envelope containing therein an anode and a hollow cathode, in which the hollow cathode is supported by a hollow metal cylinder. The hollow cylinder externally extends out of the envelope and a plurality of radiation fins are attached on the outer wall of the externally extending portion of the cylinder. Meshes are provided on the inner wall of the hollow chamber of the cylinder. Water is sealed in the hollow chamber under a reduced pressure to facilitate evaporation. The condensed water is displaced toward a high temperature portion by capillarity. The water is evaporated at the high temperature portion while taking away the latent heat of evaporation. In such an arrangement, the cathode is maintained at a low temperature so that the self-absorption of the spectral line can be reduced.

Abstract: A novel electrode structure for a fluorescent lamp, particularly one employing a low discharge gas pressure, comprises a directly heated hollow cathode interiorly coated with an emissive mixture. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a flat metal ribbon is wound to form a helix which is heated resistively. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a flat metal ribbon is wound in a flat spiral configuration and likewise heated resistively. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a fluorescent lamp electrode comprises a metal cylinder heated directly by a filamentary coil disposed about the circumference of the cylinder and electrically insulated therefrom.

Abstract: A miniaturized vapor discharge lamp assembly that includes a light transmissive bulb containing a buffer gas and a vaporizable light radiating substance such as rubidium. Lamp excitation is provided by the use of a capacitor in the lamp assembly in conjunction with an RF oscillator. The capacitor establishes a substantially longitudinal electric field which ionizes the rubidium vapor to cause emission of light. The need for an RF excitation coil is eliminated.