Abstract: To shorten the time between firing of a high-pressure discharge lamp and stantial light output therefrom, the discharge lamp includes a fill of xenon, at a cold fill pressure of at least 3 bar, in addition to mercury and a metal halide; the discharge vessel (2) is, at least in part, coated or doped so that invisible radiation is reflected into the lamp, or absorbed, while visible radiation is being transmitted by the discharge vessel. The shafts of the electrodes are thin, of only about 0.3 mm diameter, and the electrodes facing each other are part-spherical or rounded. The lamp is operated in combination with a lamp power supply (S) which has the characteristics of being capable of supplying between 5 to 10 times normal operating current of the lamp under starting conditions.

Abstract: To provide for preheating of a high-pressure discharge lamp (6) having a charge vessel (7) closed off by a pinch or press seal (8), a ceramic holder (1), typically a ceramic tube with multiple capillary openings therein, has a heating wire threaded through the capillary openings, and the ceramic holder is located in intimate thermal transfer with respect to the lamp, for example by being placed and cemented in the transition zone between the discharge vessel (7) and the pinch or press seal. Heater power of about 10 W applied to two such ceramic capillary heaters located adjacent both sides of the pinch or press seal permits preheating the fill of the lamp so that 40% of rated light output can be obtained within several seconds after energization of the electrodes. The lamp is suitable as a headlamp for vehicular use and can be constructed in miniature size, with a discharge vessel volume in the range of 100ths cm.sup.3.

Abstract: To increase the high-voltage resistance of a metal halide high-pressure dharge lamp, the external leads (6, 6', 6") are spaced wider apart than previously at their exit point from a pinch seal (3', 23', 23"). To facilitate manufacture, and to permit the widened spacing of the electrodes, the lamp portion (3) which will form the pinch seal is pre-heated in a first step and deformed into elongated oval cross section, leaving enough space to introduce a subassembly formed of the electrode connecting leads (6), internal electrodes (7) and molybdenum sealing foils (9); the sealing foils (9) may then already be located with a spacing which is increased with respect to spacing usually customary in the prior art. The external connecting leads (6) are secured to the sealing foils (9) so that attachment points extend at right angle to the sealing foils; the attachment leads can be angled within the press seal (FIG.

Abstract: To improve the high-voltage flash-over resistance by increasing the lead aration of the lamps, the pinch or press seal is, while the lamp is being made and the lamp tubing is in plastically deformable condition, extended at least is the region adjacent the end of the later formed pinch seal by introducing spreader jaws, either parallel or, at least eventually, in acutely angled relation to each other into the softened end portion, and then spreading apart the jaws so that, at the outer end portions of the jaws, the plastically deformable region will assume an oval shape whose longer dimension is wider than the outer diameter of the tubing in the region which will later from the discharge vessel.

Abstract: Low-power lamps, that is, lamps having a power rating of less than 250 W, g. less than 100 W, and, for instance 40 W, have an arc tube which has a fill of mercury with additives of metal halides and a noble gas. To permit universal mounting application of the lamp, the arc tube (2) has a single-press seal (3) at one side thereof in which the electrodes are retained, the arc tube being surrounded by an envelope having, likewise, a single-ended, single-press seal (5) located at the same side as the press seal of the arc tube, through which continuation elements (8, 10, 12, 14; 9, 11, 13, 15) of the electrode elements are conducted. The arc tube and the envelope are so closely spaced that heat radiated from the arc tube to the envelope is effectively reflected to the arc tube without substantial radiation by the envelope. The arc tube and/or the envelope may be frosted, and made, respectively, of hard glass or quartz glass which has low transmissivity in the UV and IR ranges of radiation.

Abstract: To increase the power output of a high-pressure metal halide discharge lamp aving a fill of mercury and at least one noble gas, and rare-earth halides which include at least one of: holmium; dysprosium, preferably present, each, of from 0.01 to 2.4 mg/cm.sup.3 of the discharge vessel, a gadolinium halide, present of from 0.01 to 2.3 mg/cm.sup.3 of the discharge vessel is additionally included in the fill. The discharge vessel is made of quartz, the electrodes of tungsten, and, in an example, a lamp operating at 12 kW, with 380 V power supply at 65 A is obtainable, the light output being comparable to that of daylight based on CIE standard D 60, with a color temperature of 6000.degree. K. so that an overall color temperature of about 5600.degree. K. is obtainable when the lamp is installed in a customary fixture, for example used in theatrical, film or television illumination application.

Abstract: To improve the color rendition index R.sub.a, and to lower the color tempture without decreasing the light yield and efficiency of the lamp, the discharge vessel (1, 12, 22) is surrounded by an envelope which comprises a first, or inner envelope element (4, 13, 21) and a second, or outer envelope element (5, 14, 20). The space between the first and second envelope elements, preferably, is evacuated, and the space between the first, inner envelope element and the discharge vessel may include an inert gas, such as nitrogen and/or a noble gas; if the inner envelope element and the discharge vessel are both made of sodium resistant materials, such as Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, the space between the inner envelope element and the discharge vessel may also include sodium of such quantity as to balance the vapor pressure within the discharge vessel and said space outside of the discharge vessel. The lamp can be made double-ended (FIGS. 1, 2) or single-ended (FIG. 3).

Abstract: High pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp having an outer bulb which is ferably spherical and which provides light having a color similar to that of an incandescent lamp. The inner surface of the outer bulb is provided with a red-emitting phosphor coating. The outer surface of the outer bulb is provided with a filter coating whose transmittance at 400 nm is about 40%, at 500 nm is about 60%, and at 600 nm is about 70%.

Abstract: To increase operating temperature, and hence vapor pressure, the arc tube ose to the arc, typically an inner arc tube, is at least partially frosted. The outer bulb which surrounds the inner arc tube may also be frosted. The lamps have low color temperature and good color rendering index at high luminous output. The fill preferably includes metal halides of rare earth metals, and/or mercury. The outer bulb is preferably in the form of a reflector bulb.

Abstract: A high-pressure mercury-vapor discharge lamp having a fill which comprises a combination of any two or more elements selected from iron, nickel, and cobalt. The lamp is a strong ultraviolet radiator particularly having the radiation in the UV range of between about 310 and 350 nm substantially enhanced. The lamps are useful in industry particularly as a UV source in the graphic arts field, and for a strong source of ultraviolet radiation for humans, particularly radiation in the aforenoted range of wavelengths.

Abstract: The invention relates to a starting and operating device, including an intance in the ignition circuit, for a high pressure discharge lamp, especially for a high pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp with metal halide additive, having at least one starting electrode positioned near one of the main electrodes within the discharge vessel. The starting electrode and the main electrode remote from the starting electrode are bridged by an electric circuit externally of the discharge vessel which comprises a current-interrupting and/or current-limiting electrical component. This arrangement of an auxiliary electrode within the discharge vessel of a high pressure discharge lamp brings about a reduction of the supply voltage required for initiation of the discharge which is particularly desirous in the case of high pressure mercury vapor discharge lamps containing metal halides.