Abstract: An amalgam system for optimizing the mercury vapor pressure of an electrodeless discharge fluorescent lamp is disclosed. A coil network induces an electric discharge in a gas mixture contained in a sealed lamp vessel. An amalgam is supported in the discharge and thermally isolated from the lamp vessel by a thin glass strand. The discharge transfers power directly to the amalgam, thus quickly heating the amalgam. Rapid heating of the amalgam provides a rapid increase in mercury vapor pressure in the lamp so that the light output rises quickly when the lamp is energized. An impedance matching and filter network is constructed such that, in combination with the coil/plasma load, it provides a desired steady-state impedance and a desired start-up impedance.

Abstract: An amalgam system for optimizing the mercury vapor pressure of an electrodeless discharge fluorescent lamp is disclosed. A coil network induces an electric discharge in a gas mixture contained in a sealed lamp vessel. An amalgam is supported in the discharge and thermally isolated from the lamp vessel by a thin glass strand. The discharge transfers power directly to the amalgam, thus quickly heating the amalgam. Rapid heating of the amalgam provides a rapid increase in mercury vapor pressure in the lamp so that the light output rises quickly when the lamp is energized. An impedance matching and filter network is constructed such that, in combination with the coil/plasma load, it provides a desired steady-state impedance and a desired start-up impedance.