Abstract: Radiation from a spectrally broad radiation source is reduced to radiation of limited spectral range with high efficiency by an emitter that includes a radiation source and a multilayer optical coating that reflects radiation of certain wavelengths back toward the source, allowing other wavelengths to pass. The multilayer optical coating provides a high efficiency reflectance, thereby minimizing loss of radiation energy despite limiting the escaping energy to one or more narrow selected wavelength bands. The resulting radiation is useful in treating a host to destroy or deactivate undesirable pathogens, cells, or tissues.

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.

Abstract: Neoplastic tissue, viral and bacterial infections, and other physiological disorders and conditions are treated by irradiation of the host with electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength that is differentially absorbed by the offending tissue or cells. Radiation with differential absorption is also used in the sterilization of articles and packing made from synthetic polymers and for the treatment of food stuffs.

Abstract: A pelletized lamp fill material suitable for delivering a precise quantity of rhenium and a halogen into the light emitting chamber of a tungsten halogen lamp. The pellet is formed by pressure aggregating a mixture of a metal powder and a rhenium-halogen compound. In a pellet suitable for delivering bromine into the lamp, the metal powder may be mixed with rhenium tribromide powder to form the pellet. The release of the bromine and rhenium is desirably controlled over time as a function of temperature.

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: A fluorescent lamp containing zinc amalgam and a method of precisely controlling the amount of mercury introduced into a temperature controlled fluorescent lamp. Precise quantities of mercury may be introduced into a fluorescent lamp in the form of solid zinc amalgam pellets that are in a metastable, non-equilibrium state.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to horizontally burning formed-body arc tubes and arc tube blanks 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 method of making an electric lamp having a gas filled outer jacket wherein the space enveloped by the jacket may be flushed and filled with the desired fill gas without the use of a mechanical evacuation system including an exhaust pump. The space may be flushed and filled to obtain a controlled atmosphere within the space by inserting a gas dispensing probe into the space to displace the uncontrolled atmosphere with the fill gas. The final pressure of the fill gas which is sealed within the space may be controlled by controlling the temperature of the fill gas during the flush/fill procedure until the outer jacket is sealed.

Abstract: A circuit and method for running a metal halide arc discharge lamp from an AC power source. The circuit includes a rectifier for producing a DC voltage. The lamp is resistively ballasted by a current limiting filament connected in series with the lamp. The circuit includes a switch that closes during start up of the lamp so that the resistive filament is energized to provide immediate light prior to the lamp entering the normal run mode.

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 tipless arc tube for a high intensity discharge lamp and method of manufacture wherein the arc tube may remain open to an uncontrolled atmosphere during the step of hermetically scaling the arc tube. The novel arc tube and method obviate the need to perform any process steps within a controlled atmosphere. The pressure of the fill gas sealed within the arc tube may be controlled by controlling the temperature of the fill gas during the step of hermetically sealing the arc tube. The novel arc tube and method obviate the need to use a pump to control the fill gas pressure.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp containing zinc amalgam and a method of precisely controlling the amount of mercury introduced into a temperature controlled fluorescent lamp. Precise quantities of mercury may be introduced into a fluorescent lamp in the form of solid zinc amalgam pellets that are in a metastable, non-equilibrium state.

Abstract: An efficient system for directing light comprises a light source and a generally tubular, hollow coupling device. The coupling device has an interior light-reflective surface for receiving light from the source at an inlet and transmitting it as a generally diverging light beam through an outlet. The device is shaped in accordance with non-imaging optics and increases in cross sectional area from inlet to outlet so as to reduce the angle of light reflected from the surface as it passes through the device. The foregoing system provides a discharge-based directional light source that can be of the size of a directional halogen source (e.g., an MR16 or MR 11 lamp) while substantially preserving the discharge efficiency, light-output capacity and lifetime of discharge-based sources. This results from the coupling device that provides light with good spatial uniformity in light intensity and color. Embodiments of the invention can simply split the light to multiple (e.g.

Abstract: A tipless arc tube for a high intensity discharge lamp and method of manufacture wherein the arc tube may remain open to an uncontrolled atmosphere during the step of hermetically scaling the arc tube. The novel arc tube and method obviate the need to perform any process steps within a controlled atmosphere. The pressure of the fill gas sealed within the arc tube may be controlled by controlling the temperature of the fill gas during the step of hermetically sealing the arc tube. The novel arc tube and method obviate the need to use a pump to control the fill gas pressure.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp containing zinc amalgam and a method of precisely controlling the amount of mercury introduced into a temperature controlled fluorescent lamp. Precise quantities of mercury may be introduced into a fluorescent lamp in the form of solid zinc amalgam pellets that are in a metastable, non-equilibrium state.

Abstract: A dimming system and method suitable for any type of magnetic ballast operating a gaseous discharge lamp. The dimming system operates to selectively vary the number of turns of the ballast winding in operative connection with the lamp to thereby effect a change in the impedance of the ballast, the power provided to the lamp, and ultimately the brightness of the lamp. The system may be operated such that the brightness of the lamp is selected responsive to the detection of an external stimulus such as motion or sound within the space to be illuminated.