Abstract: Materials, compounds, systems, and methods of dosing fluorescent lamps to reduce run-up time by improving mercury release rates. A pellet comprises a core and a coating on at least a portion of the surface of the core, the coating being formed from a powder of one or more intermetallic compounds comprising mercury. A method comprises providing a core and forming a coating on at least a portion of the surface of the core with a material comprising one or more intermetallic compounds comprising mercury and a metal selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, tin, zinc, bismuth, gold, platinum, palladium, nickel, manganese, and titanium.

Abstract: Methods for improving the efficiency of infrared (IR) halogen lamps and IR halogen lamps having improved efficiency are disclosed. In a method of aligning a filament in a lamp body, the lamp body having the filament therein is rotated, and tubular end portions are heated and necked down which may assist in positioning the filament within the lamp and reduce end losses. IR halogen lamps formed from glass tubes having an OD less than 5 mm are also disclosed. The reduced diameter of the glass tubing increases the surface area for IR energy reflection and reduces end losses. Spuds or beads may be used to position the filament within the lamp.

Abstract: A pellet having a microstructure including a bismuth phase, a zinc solid solution phase, and a Zn3Hg phase is disclosed. A method of making a pellet including bismuth, zinc, and mercury is also disclosed. Moreover, a fluorescent lamp with a fill material including bismuth, zinc, and mercury is disclosed. Further, a method of dosing a fluorescent lamp with mercury is disclosed.

Abstract: A device having a quartz or glass body forming a chamber hermetically sealed by one or more pinch seals formed in the body wherein a metallic foil provides an electrical connection through a pinch seal. A method is provided for protecting a portion of the metallic foil from corrosion prior to forming the pinch seal by coating at least a portion of the foil with a film comprising silica, and applying a refractory abhesive to at least a portion of the film.

Abstract: An electrical lead assembly for devices such as electrical lamps having a metallic foil for providing an electrically conducting path through a hermetic seal formed by pinch sealing a vitreous material. The metallic foil includes an oxidation-inhibiting coating of silica. In another aspect of the invention, methods of coating metallic foils with silica are disclosed. In yet another aspect of the present invention, an electrical lead assembly for lamps is provided wherein the metallic foil is extended to form an outer electrical lead for the lamp.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for starting a discharge lamp are disclosed. In some embodiments, a lamp has an outer envelope connected at one end to a base and enclosing multiple double-ended arc tubes. Each arc tube is electrically connected at one end to an electrical lead positioned proximate the base of the lamp and at the other end to an electrical lead positioned proximate the distal end of the envelope. A voltage pulse is applied to the electrical lead positioned proximate the distal end of the envelope. Random starting of the arc tubes may thus be effected so that each arc tube is about equally likely to start, promoting uniformity of arc tube usage and long lamp life. Multiple arc tubes may be bulbous and staggered in axial displacement for space efficiency, and a diffusing shroud may improve optical characteristics. A heat barrier may facilitate fast restrikes.

Abstract: Methods for improving the efficiency of infrared (IR) halogen lamps and IR halogen lamps having improved efficiency are disclosed. In a method of aligning a filament in a lamp body, the lamp body having the filament therein is rotated, and tubular end portions are heated and necked down which may assist in positioning the filament within the lamp and reduce end losses. IR halogen lamps formed from glass tubes having an OD less than 5 mm are also disclosed. The reduced diameter of the glass tubing increases the surface area for IR energy reflection and reduces end losses. Spuds or beads may be used to position the filament within the lamp.

Abstract: A metal halide lamp having a high pressure quartz arc tube in which the electrodes are non-thoriated.

Abstract: The present application discloses high intensity discharge (“HID”) lamps, arc tubes, and methods of manufacture. The application relates to HID lamps, arc tubes, and methods of manufacture wherein a precise amount of fill gas may be contained in the light-emitting chamber of the arc tube so that the pressure of the fill gas contained in the arc tube at substantially room temperature may be precisely controlled at pressures greater than about one-half atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for achieving desired spectral emission characteristics in plasma lamps is disclosed. The apparatus and method use multi-layer thin film optical interference coatings to selectively reflect a portion of the light such that it can be absorbed in the plasma. The multi-layer thin film coating is applied to any surface of the lamp, which substantially surrounds the plasma. The number and thickness of the layers in the coating are selected to ensure that significant portion of the selected light emitted from the plasma is reflected by the coating and absorbed by the plasma. The properties of the coating, reflectance, transmittance and absorption are determined as a function of plasma and lamp characteristics.

Abstract: A method of generating an electrical discharge in a gas contained in a sealed enclosure. The method includes driving a helical coil resonator at an RF frequency to generate an RF electric-magnetic field sufficient to generate an electrical discharge in the high pressure gas. The electrical discharge produces an emission spectrum that may be spectroscopically analyzed to determine the composition and impurity content of the gas.

Abstract: A mounting structure for an arc tube within an outer envelope of an HID lamp, including an elongated frame supported at one end by a stem assembly and a stem clamp having one or more frame retaining tabs crimped around a portion of the frame.

Abstract: An electrical lead assembly for devices such as electrical lamps having a metallic foil for providing an electrically conducting path through a hermetic seal formed by pinch sealing a vitreous material. The metallic foil includes an oxidation-inhibiting coating of silica. In another aspect of the invention, methods of coating metallic foils with silica are disclosed. In yet another aspect of the present invention, an electrical lead assembly for lamps is provided wherein the metallic foil is extended to form an outer electrical lead for the lamp.

Abstract: A method of generating an electrical discharge in a high pressure gas contained in a sealed enclosure. The method includes driving a helical coil resonator at an RF frequency to generate an RF electric-magnetic field sufficient to generate an electrical discharge in the high pressure gas. The electrical discharge produces an emission spectrum that may be spectroscopically analyzed to determine the composition and impurity content of the gas.

Abstract: The present invention includes barrier coatings and methods for reducing or preventing chemical reaction between the discharge medium and arc tube wall material in discharge lamps. The barrier coatings comprise nitride layer exposed to the discharge medium formed from one or more of aluminum, boron, scandium, yttrium, or the lanthanides. In another aspect, the present invention includes methods of forming coatings on the inner wall of arc tubes by introducing two or more precursors into the arc tube chamber and pyrolitically reacting the precursors to form layers for the coating.

Abstract: A solid mercury-releasing material and a method of dispensing precise amounts of mercury into the light emitting chamber of a discharge lamp without introducing the other dispenser components into the chamber are disclosed. The solid material includes an amalgam of one or more metals and mercury in the form of particles of high purity, uniform size and uniform composition.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for achieving desired spectral emission characteristics in plasma lamps is disclosed. The apparatus and method use multi-layer thin film optical interference coatings to selectively reflect a portion of the light such that it can be absorbed in the plasma. The multi-layer thin film coating is applied to any surface of the lamp, which substantially surrounds the plasma. The number and thickness of the layers in the coating are selected to ensure that a significant portion of the selected light emitted from the plasma is reflected by the coating and absorbed by the plasma. The properties of the coating, reflectance, transmittance and absorption are determined as a function of plasma and lamp characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of making arc tubes for high intensity discharge lamps. The bottom portion of the light emitting chamber of the arc tubes is flattened in an area between the electrodes to reduce the distance between the bottom wall of the arc tube and the arc, and to increase the surface area of the pool of condensed halides during operation of a metal halide lamp. The flattened bottom of the arc tubes may be generally planar, slightly arcuate longitudinally and/or transversely, or slightly v-shaped longitudinally and/or transversely. The top portion of the arc tube conforms generally to the shape of the arc during operation of the lamp.

Abstract: A solid halogen-containing lamp fill material and a method of introducing small amounts of halogen into a HID lamp are disclosed. The solid material may include an admixture of a metal and a metal halide in the form of spheres of high purity, uniform size and uniform composition. Solid lamp fill material and methods of introducing small quantities of one or more metals into a HID lamp are also disclosed.

Abstract: A solid halogen-containing lamp fill material and a method of introducing small amounts of halogen into a HID lamp are disclosed. The solid material may include an admixture of a metal and a metal halide in the form of spheres of high purity, uniform size and uniform composition. Solid lamp fill material and methods of introducing small quantities of one or more metals into a HID lamp are also disclosed.