Abstract: A high-pressure discharge lamp has an outer envelope (1) in which a discharge vessel (11) is arranged enclosing a discharge space (13) with an ionizable filling. The discharge vessel has two mutually opposed neck-shaped portions (2,3) through which current supply conductors (4, 5) extend to a pair of electrodes (6, 7) in the discharge space. A lamp base (8) of electrically insulating material supports the discharge vessel. The lamp base also supports the outer envelope. The outer envelope with a volume equal to or less than 2 cc encloses the current supply conductors and is connected to the lamp base in a gas-tight manner. A getter (10) is provided in the outer envelope for pumping out residual nitrogen from the outer envelope after sealing off the discharge lamp prior to operation of the discharge lamp, the getter (10) comprising at least 2.5 mbar.ml nitrogen. Preferably, the getter comprises an alloy of zirconium and aluminum or of zirconium and cobalt.

Abstract: Low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp has a light-transmitting discharge vessel (10) enclosing, in a gastight manner, a discharge space (13) provided with a filling of mercury and a rare gas. The discharge vessel (10) comprises discharge means for maintaining a discharge in the discharge space (13). The discharge vessel is provided with a source of mercury (7). In addition, the discharge vessel is provided with a releasing means (8) for the controlled release of mercury vapor from the source of mercury. The releasing means is operative in response to a condition of the low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp, the condition being a characteristic of the discharge lamp and/or a predetermined time interval. The discharge lamp according to the invention operates under unsaturated mercury conditions. Preferably, the releasing means is operated via a switch device, preferably comprising a reed relay.

Abstract: In a discharge lamp comprising a discharge vessel surrounded by an outer bulb filled with nitrogen, a hydrogen getter is used comprising more than 80% by weight of Zr and Co and one or more elements chosen from the rare earth elements. The getter effectively removes hydrogen from the outer bulb and is not poisoned by nitrogen.