Abstract: A system for driving a gas discharge lamp includes a bridge circuit providing a pulse voltage signal, a controller which generates a pulse width modulated signal corresponding to a desired waveform. A filter circuit receives and filters the pulse voltage signal to provide this to the lamp. The pulse width modulated signal corresponds to the desired waveform, and includes a sweeping frequency signal and a fixed frequency amplitude modulated signal.

Abstract: A discharge lamp includes a first and a second substrate (12, 14), a cavity disposed in the first substrate (12) or in a portion of the first and a second substrate (12, 14), a first and a second aligned electrode (270, 272) disposed between the first and a second substrate (12, 14) having respective ends extending into the cavity, wherein the first and the second aligned electrode (270, 272) are "T-shaped" when viewed in cross-section. The T-shaped electrodes provide mechanical support that minimizes bending and distortion in the horizontal and vertical directions. The discharge lamp may include a charge of mercury or an inert gas, and may further include a phosphor layer (80).

Abstract: A high pressure gas discharge lamp and the method of making same utilizing integrated circuit fabrication techniques. The lamp is manufactured from heat and pressure resistant planar substrates in which cavities are etched, by integrated circuit manufacturing techniques, so as to provide a cavity forming the gas discharge tube. Electrodes are deposited in the cavity. The cavity is filled with gas discharge materials such as mercury vapor, sodium vapor or metal halide. The substrates are bonded together and channels may be etched in the substrate so as to provide a means for connection to the electrodes. Electrodeless RF activated lamps may also be fabricated by this technique. Micro-lasers may also be fabricated by this technique as well.