Abstract: An electrodeless lamp bulb is rotated about an axis which is at a designated angle to the predominant direction of the electrical field. This has the effect of evening out the temperature distribution about the bulb and reducing the formation of hot and cold spots.

Abstract: An electrodeless lamp bulb of modified shape for providing more uniform emission of radiation. In the preferred embodiment the bulb is primarily in the shape of a sphere, but has at least a non-spherical portion comprised of diametrically opposed relatively flattened portions.A microwave generated electrodeless lamp which incorporates the improved bulb provides more spatially uniform radiation at an illumination plane.

Abstract: An electrodeless lamp bulb comprises of a quartz envelope and a fill containing mercury in a ratio of from 0.5-0.9 microliters per milliliter of envelope volume at room temperature. A lamp including such bulb which is powered by microwaves.

Abstract: A microwave powered electrodeless light source in which a relatively high power level is coupled to the bulb. This is accomplished by arranging for a plurality of energy modes which are substantially de-coupled from each other to be present in the microwave cavity.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating material with radiant energy, especially adapted for curing photocurable polymeric materials coated onto an optic fiber. The apparatus includes first and second reflectors which in combination form an elliptical reflector, a light source positioned at one focus of the elliptical reflector and a photocurable polymer-coated wire-like material or a fiber such as an optical fiber positioned at the second focus. An auxiliary reflector is located near the second focus in such a position as to direct light rays impinging thereon towards the second focus, thus increasing the amount of energy which impinges on the polymer coating.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring the intensity of light comprising an optical waveguide having a light-collecting tip end with a diffusing surface which is shaped so that it can collect and transmit light rays into the waveguide. The structure of the tip is such that it is capable of collecting rays which are directed toward the tip from all angles within a 360.degree. arc. The tip may be conical, hemispherical, ellipsoidal or variations of these geometrical forms.

Abstract: A method of cooling the lamp envelope of an electrodeless lamp by directing a stream of cooling gas at the envelope while providing relative rotation between the lamp envelope and the stream of cooling gas. The relative rotation can be achieved by rotating the envelope, or the source of cooling gas, or both.

Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp having an ultraviolet radiation transmission envelope containing a plasma-forming medium. The envelope is formed from two different types of quartz, one of which blocks transmission of ultraviolet radiation 253 nm and shorter, and the other of which transmits radiation of 253 nm or shorter. The quartz which transmits the short wavelength radiation serves as a window for transmitting into the envelope ultraviolet having a wavelength short enough to initiate ionization of the plasma-forming medium within the envelope.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing deep UV photolithography which utilizes a microwave generated electrodeless light source for producing deep UV radiation. This results in faster semiconductor exposure times and less system downtime for changing failed bulbs as well as other advantages which are detailed herein.

Abstract: A microwave generated electrodeless light source for producing a bright output comprising a lamp structure including a microwave chamber and a plasma medium-containing lamp envelope having a maximum dimension which is substantially less than a wavelength disposed therein. To provide the desired radiation output the interior of the chamber is coated with a UV-reflective material and the chamber has an opening for allowing UV radiation to exit, which is covered with a metallic mesh. The chamber is arranged to be near-resonant at a single wavelength, and the lamp envelope has a fill including mercury at an operating pressure of 1-2 atmospheres, while a power density of at least 250-300 (watts/cm.sup.3) is coupled to the envelope to result in a relatively high deep UV output at a relatively high brightness.

Abstract: A microwave generated electrodeless lamp using a single magnetron, and an improved lamp envelope therefor. An elongated lamp envelope containing a plasma forming medium is disposed in a microwave chamber comprised of a reflector and mesh. The reflector includes a pair of coupling slots, each of which is disposed equidistant from the ends of the lamp envelope. A waveguide means is provided which has a wall which is comprised of a portion of the reflector which includes the slots, and has means for introducing microwave energy thereto at an area equidistant from the two slots so that the energy couples equally to the slots. When the frequency of the microwave energy and chamber dimensions are arranged so that a symmetrical standing wave exists in the chamber, a balanced system results wherein after a short start-up period, approximately equal light output is obtained from the respective ends of the lamp envelop.

Abstract: An electrodeless lamp bulb for producing relatively high radiation output in the deep ultraviolet part of the spectrum when excited with microwave energy wherein the bulb envelope is made of synthetic quartz which is substantially water-free. This results in increased bulb lifetime, since loss of bulb transparency with exposure to deep ultraviolet radiation over time is substantially reduced. An electrodeless lamp incorporating the above-described bulb includes a microwave chamber in which the bulb is situated and means for coupling microwave energy to the chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling electrodeless lamps which permits high power density operation, and bright lamp output. The lamp envelope is rotated about an axis passing therethrough while at least a stream of cooling gas is directed at it. A plurality of such streams may be positioned in or near a plane in which envelope hot spots are found to develop. A spherical lamp envelope at the center of a spherical microwave chamber is effectively cooled by this technique.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for curing three dimensional objects such as cylindrical two piece cans with ultraviolet light without having to rotate the cans, at conventional can line speeds and using a minimum number of lamp units. In a first embodiment, the cans are moved, without rotation, between at least a pair of ultraviolet lamp units so that the closest surfaces to the lamp units are substantially within the focal planes thereof. The lamp units are parallel to the direction of can movement or are rotated from that direction by a small angle with the lamp units of each pair being rotated by the same angle but in opposite senses. In a further embodiment, each lamp unit, instead of being faced by another lamp unit, is faced by a reflector to increase the cure speed attainable with the same number of lamp units.

Abstract: An apparatus for efficiently coupling microwave energy to a highly dissipative load such as a plasma lamp tube. A longitudinally extending lamp tube is enclosed in a longitudinally extending non-resonant microwave chamber having a pair of coupling slots therein which are oriented perpendicular to the direction of the lamp tube. The slots are azimuthally offset in opposite directions with respect to a longitudinally extending top center line of the chamber by about 15.degree. to 20.degree., and are located near respective ends of the chambers but at different distances therefrom. Microwave energy from a pair of microwave energy generating means is coupled to the respective slots with the frequency outputs of the generating means being offset from each other by a small amount.