Abstract: A short arc type discharge lamp wherein a cathode and an anode are arranged opposite to each other in an interior of a light emitting tube and said cathode consists of a main body part with tungsten as the main constituent and an emitter part comprised of thoriated tungsten, wherein an oxygen content of the main body part of said cathode is lower than that of the emitter part, and band-shaped tungsten carbide is formed at the tip end face of the emitter part of said cathode.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus of driving a plasma display panel that is adaptive for reducing discharge delay upon reset discharge. A driving method and apparatus of a plasma display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention applies a plurality of pulses to the plasma display panel for the reset period in order to reduce a discharge delay.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus of driving a plasma display panel that is adaptive for improving its contrast and enabling its high speed driving. A driving method of a plasma display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention applies a setup voltage with a first gradient to the scan electrode for the reset period; and applies the setup voltage with a second gradient to the sustain electrode while a voltage on the scan electrode rises.

Abstract: A plasma display device includes a first substrate, an address electrode formed on an upper surface of the fist substrate, a first dielectric layer formed on the upper surface of the first substrate and embedding the address electrode, a second substrate which is transparent and forms a discharge space by being coupled to the first substrate, a plurality of maintaining electrodes formed on a lower surface of the second substrate to form a predetermined angle with the address electrode, each of the maintaining electrodes including first and second electrodes, a second dielectric layer formed on the second substrate where the maintaining electrodes are formed and embedding the maintaining electrodes, at least a portion where an electrical field is concentrated formed between the first and second electrodes constituting the maintaining electrodes, and a partition installed between the first and second substrates for sectioning the discharge space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel discharge structures for dielectric barrier discharge lamps, in which discharge electrode sections, which are associated with the individual discharges, of the respective electrode strips overhang adjacent sections of the electrode strips.

Abstract: An ultra-high pressure high pressure discharge lamp device in which the lamp voltage and the distance between the lamp electrodes can be kept stable is achieved by an operating device supplying an alternating current with rectangular waves to the discharge lamp and control is exercised such that a lower boundary value is set and the operating voltage is increased by reducing the operating frequency of the discharge lamp by a given amount, when the operating voltage of the discharge lamp is below the set lower boundary value. Furthermore, control can also be exercised in such a way that an upper boundary value is set and the operating voltage is reduced by increasing the operating frequency of the discharge lamp by a given amount when the operating voltage of the discharge lamp exceeds the set upper boundary value.

Abstract: The discharge spacings in discharge lamps for dielectrically impeded discharges are shortened below 3 mm, as a result of which dead times of pulsed active-power injecting can be increased so strongly, for example beyond 50 ms, that the dimming properties of the discharge lamp are greatly improved.

Abstract: A metal halide lamp has a ceramic discharge vessel with two ends (5) which are closed off by sealing means which enclose a capillary tube (11). An electrically conductive lead-through (9) is passed in a vacuum-tight manner through a bore in the capillary tube (11). The capillary tube (11) comprises two sections (20, 21) which are arranged axially one behind the other, the diameter of the bore of the inner section amounting to at most 90% of the diameter of the bore in the outer section.

Abstract: A light source device for a video monitor including a concave reflector with a middle opening and an optical axis, said optical axis being positioned tilted obliquely and a discharge lamp including an emission part with a cathode and an anode located opposite to one another and being supported by hermetically sealed portions, one of the hermetically sealed portions being mounted in the middle opening of the concave reflector in a manner that a lengthwise axis of the discharge lamp substantially aligns with the optical axis of the concave reflector, where the anode of the discharge lamp is positioned closer to the rear reflector than the cathode of the discharge lamp, and a tip of the anode is positioned underneath an obliquely tilted plane that includes the lengthwise axis of the discharge lamp.

Abstract: There is provided a cold cathode fluorescent lamp including a transparent tube including first and second light-emitting areas defined by partitioning an inner space of the transparent tube, a first terminal electrode positioned in the first light-emitting area and at a longitudinal end of the first light-emitting area located closer to an end of the tube, a second terminal electrode positioned in the second light-emitting area and at a longitudinal end of the second light-emitting area located closer to the other end of the tube, a first intermediate electrode positioned in the first light-emitting area and at the other longitudinal end of the first light-emitting area, a second intermediate electrode positioned in the second light-emitting area and at the other longitudinal end of the second light-emitting area, a first lead-in wire connected to the first terminal electrode through the longitudinal end of the first light-emitting area, a second lead-in wire connected to the second terminal electrode through

Abstract: A sealed lamp unit for a fluorescent lamp system includes first and second lamp electrodes located at respective end points of the sealed lamp unit. The lamp electrodes extend into the sealed lamp unit. A first lead wire extends into the sealed lamp unit. A first extended wire connection has a first end electrically connected to the first lamp electrode and a second end electrically connected to the first lead wire. A first capacitive impedance, electrically connected in series between the first and second ends of the first extended wire connection, limits a current flow through the first extended wire connection. A breakdown voltage path within the sealed lamp unit is modified as a function of a position of the first lead wire.

Abstract: A plasma addressed liquid crystal display system (10) includes improved electrode structures (90, 100, 130) that are nonuniform parallel to their surfaces and may also be nonuniform perpendicular to their major surfaces. The nonuniformities include surface nonuniformities (92, 94), bulk nonuniformities (108, 110, 112, 112), and geometric nonuniformities (132, 134). Electrodes having such nonuniformities provide localized sites of preferential and nonpreferential surface and bulk properties of the electrodes, which, in turn, provide improved and locally tailored plasma discharge characteristics. PALC displays having the nonuniform electrodes have improved quality because of reduced firing voltages in one plasma channel region compared to another, reduced sputtering damage, reduced total current between electrodes, decreased discharge initiation time, and decreased ionized gas decay time.

Abstract: A unique cathode (30) for an ultraviolet discharge lamp (10) is described. The cathode includes a triple-coil wire, i.e., the wire has a primary coil (43), a secondary coil (41) wound around the primary coil and a tertiary coil (36) wound around the secondary coil. The interstices of the primary coil and secondary coil, but not the tertiary coil, are occupied by a crystalline oxide emitter material. Filling the primary and secondary coils of the triple coil cathode provides a cathode having a greater amount of emitter material than prior art. In addition, as the outer layer of the emitter material sputters away from bombardment by positive ions, the remaining emitter material is protected by the now-exposed portion of the coil wire which protrudes beyond the remaining emitter material. Thus, incoming positive ions are apt to strike the exposed wire, and not the remaining emitter material.

Abstract: To provide an effective seal for a metal-halide discharge lamp having a ceramic discharge vessel (4), the seal is formed in multiple parts, in which a first part, adjacent the interior or discharge side of the vessel, includes a melt component (14a) which is highly resistant to attack by metal halides within the fill of the lamp. It may contain only 0-12%, by weight, of SiO.sub.2 and has a high melting point, in the order of between 1500.degree.-1700.degree. C. The melt-in region remote from the discharge side is melt-sealed by a vitreous composition (14b), devoid of pores, voids, bubbles, fissures or cracks, to form an effective, vacuum-tight seal, and protected from attack by the metal halides by the mechanically less stable seal in the first zone. The second composition has a much lower melting point, for example in the order of between 1200.degree.-1400.degree. C., and has 20-40% SiO.sub.2.

Abstract: An apparatus to generate corona discharges that consists of (a) a ground electrode tube, (b) a single-opening insulating tube inserted into the ground electrode tube, (c) a high-voltage electrode tube inserted into the insulating tube, and (d) two insulating caps. An air gap is formed between the ground electrode tube and the insulating tube. The high-voltage tube is inserted in the center of the assembly, which is held in position by the insulating caps.

Abstract: A glow discharge starter having an hermetically sealed envelope containing an ionizable medium, a bimetallic electrode including a first bimetallic element having a curved portion and a free end, and a counter electrode. A first discharge gap having a predetermined spacing is formed between the free end of the first bimetallic element and the counter electrode. The starter includes a second bimetallic element having an end secured to the counter electrode. A portion of the second bimetallic element is positioned adjacent the curved portion of the first bimetallic element such that a second discharge gap having a predetermined spacing is formed therebetween. In the event that the starter encounters a dc current of the wrong polarity, a portion of the second bimetallic element contacts the first bimetallic element so as to extinguish the arc discharge and prevent electrode damage.

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: A single-ended electric lamp having an alkali-halide containing light source which produces ultraviolet radiation and is supported within an outer envelope by metallic support structure having an elongate support rod extending past the arc tube. A tubular cover extends over a length L1 of the support rod and the remainder of the support structure remains uncovered. A screen is interposed between the light source and an uncovered portion of the metal support structure to prevent ultra-violet radiation emitted from said light source from directly impinging on said uncovered portion. Preferably, a plurality of screens are arranged within the outer envelope to block the line of sight from the light source to any uncovered portion of the metal support structure and to reduce the quantity of reflected ultraviolet radiation reflected off the inner surface of the arc tube which impinges on uncovered portions of the metal support structure.

Abstract: Asymmetric discharge electrode means are provided for a metal halide lamp enabling improved operation at acoustic frequencies. A xenon-metal halide lamp employing such improved discharge electrode means is disclosed together with a reflector lamp unit employing such lamp construction for its light source.

Abstract: A switch includes a housing forming a cavity, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first electrode has an inner surface having a generally circular cross-section perpendicular to an axis and extending along the cavity in a first direction along the axis, forming a hollow tube. The second electrode has a generally circular cross-section perpendicular to the axis and extending into the cavity in a second direction along the axis. The second electrode extends at least partially into the hollow tube formed by the first electrode.

Abstract: A glow discharge lamp includes a light-transmitting envelope containing a noble gas fill material. An anode electrode and a cathode electrode are spacedly located within the envelope. The anode electrode includes a single wire having a convoluted portion adjacent the cathode electrode and lying in a plane parallel to a plane intersecting the cathode electrode and a pair of lead-in wires supporting the cathode electrode. The improved anode construction results in an increase in both light output and lamp efficacy.

Abstract: A discharge tube includes a pair of electrode devices mounted within a discharge tube body in an opposed relation to each other, each of the pair of electrode devices including an arc discharge electrode and a glow discharge electrode. An electron-radiating substance vaporized and emitted in a scattered manner from the arc discharge electrode is captured by the glow discharge electrode. The arc discharge electrode is composed of a sintered body containing the electron-radiating substance therein.

Abstract: In a gas discharge display element according to the present invention, two pairs of electrodes are arranged in a discharge space of a display cell and one of the electrode pairs which forms a first discharge space between the first electrodes is driven such that discharge having a memory function and capable of being memory-driven is produced during a time in which light emission of the display cell is sustained. The other electrode pair is driven with a voltage pulse having duration smaller than that of the driving voltage pulse for the first electrode pair such that discharge a is obtained in the other space defined between the electrodes of the other electrode pair using the discharge in the first space as a seed discharge. The duration of the drive pulse for the second electrode pair preferably terminates before the discharge current is reduced due to the formation of a wall charge.

Abstract: The discharge tube has an insulating tube formed into a hollow cylinder with one end open and the other closed. An anode electrode, which is formed as a flanged electrode, is hermetically fitted to the open end of the insulating tube and a cathode electrode, which is formed as a bar electrode, is embedded in the closed end of the insulating tube so that only the front end surface of the bar electrode faces the interior of the insulating tube. This construction allows no redundant space within the insulating tube other than the dishcarge space, so that the discharge tube can be minimized in size. This construction also permits a discharge only between the front end of the bar electrode and the inner end of the flanged electrode, stabilizing the electron emission passage or discharge path and therefore the discharge voltage.

Abstract: A variable color lighting device employs two gases having different ionization potentials and sealed in a lamp tube. A cathode and anode are disposed inside the lamp tube opposed to each other and connected to a power supply source for varying applied voltages thereto to vary light emitting ratio of the two gases for different color light generation, in accordance with the applied voltages. A variable color lighting can be realized at relatively low voltages with a simple and economical control circuit, and an increased light emission output can be attained to render the device utilizable as a main lighting source.

Abstract: A hooked arc discharge lamp electrode may be formed with electrodes slanting towards each other and towards the electrode roots. The hooking back of the electrode tips forms a gap between the electrode tip and the electrode shaft that prevents the arc from wandering across. The arc is then confined to a small area from the electrode tip area on the side away from the gap. The arc is prevented from wandering down the electrode shafts away from the optically ideal location, and to a potentially destructive position adjacent the envelope wall.

Abstract: A glow discharge lamp that includes a light transmitting envelope containing a noble gas fill material and a pair of electrodes disposed in the envelope. Lead-in wires couple to the electrodes and extend to and are hermetically sealed in the envelope. The anode electrodes is comprised of a refractory metal piece, preferably a molybdenum foil strip, supported from an end of a single lead-in wire that is preferably swagged to the metal strip.

Abstract: A spark gap switch is disclosed. The spark gap switch comprises an anode and a cathode having facing surfaces separated by a predetermined gap, a trigger electrode located in the vicinity of such gap, and a piezoelectric generator connected between the trigger electrode and the cathode for triggering the spark gap switch.

Abstract: A discharge lamp has an outer discharge tube and an inner discharge tube. The outer tube includes an envelope of glass enclosing an inert gas, a first electrode mounted within the envelope, a second electrode formed of a transparent film deposited on the exterior surface of the envelope, and a fluorescent material coated on the interior surface of the envelope for producing a light in a desired color when a voltage is applied across the two electrodes. The inner tube is inserted in the outer tube and includes an envelope of glass enclosing an inert gas, a third electrode mounted within the envelope, the third electrode utilizing the second electrode of the outer tube as an opposite electrode for producing luminous discharge, and a fluorescent material coated on the interior surface of the envelope for producing a light in a color different from the one produced by the fluorescent material on the outer tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a single ended discharge lamp, such as a CID or CSI lamp having a bi-pin base. The base is such as to fit a socket suitable for lamps such as tungsten halogen filament lamps for which lower voltages are used and is adapted to make use in such sockets possible. The base or cap member is provided in the usual manner with two pins but at least one of the pins is a dummy pin. At least one extra terminal is disposed to the side of the base whereby electrical connection to one electrode of the lamp is by a flying lead. The other terminal may be the other pin or may be disposed at the other side of the base. In that event both pins may be electrically disconnected from the electrodes and serve only for support or positioning of the lamp.

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 lamp shown herein is a beam mode fluorescent lamp for general lighting applications. The lamp comprises a light transmitting envelope, having a phosphor coating on its inner surface, enclosing a thermionic cathode for emitting electrons and an anode for accelerating the electrons and forming an electron beam, and a fill material, such as mercury, which emits ultraviolet radiation upon excitation. The cathode configuration provides for the elimination of "hot spots" due to ion bombardment at the low potential end of the cathode and for higher overall cathode emission of electrons. Various methods are employed to accomplish these ends, such as: segmenting the cathode, pitch variation of the cathode winding; ion probes and a non-uniform primary coil wound around a larger mandrel wire.

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.