Abstract: A negative glow discharge lamp including a light transmitting envelope having supported therein electrode means for establishing a negative glow discharge in the lamp. The fill material includes a metal-based gas such as sodium which, upon excitation thereof, directly emits visible light. The sodium has a resonance radiation in the visible part of the spectrum. The cathode is a hot cathode.

Abstract: A low pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp having a double-tube type discharge vessel consisting of a closed outer glass bulb and an inner glass tube coaxially disposed within the outer bulb. An electrode is disposed in the inner glass tube, while a ring-shaped electrode structure is disposed in the outer envelope outside the inner glass tube. The electrode structure completely surrounds the inner glass tube and includes a pair of lead-in wires and a pair of semicircular electrode sections. Preferably, an inert gas having a pressure within the range of from about 4.0 to 6.0 torr and a quantity of mercury are contained within the lamp. The lamp of the present invention provides a fully diffused discharge without requiring an expensive transistor switching circuit or a permanent magnet to rotate the discharge about the inner tube.

Abstract: A low pressure arc discharge tube having structural means located within the envelope for raising the voltage across the arc tube. The structural means comprises at least one partition extending across the arc tube and having a dimension which is less than the electron energy relaxation distance of the arc discharge tube. Each of the partitions has at least one aperture therein which constricts the arc within the tube.

Abstract: A low pressure discharge lamp, particularly a compact fluorescent lamp, having a plurality of constricting portions axially spaced apart and extending about the circular periphery of the envelope. The constricting portions, which include defined end segments projecting within the envelope, constrict the plasma discharge and spatially separate at least one of the discharge processes occurring within the plasma discharge and cause the separated process to take place in a different portion within the envelope so that the conditions for energy input and energy dissipation may be independently optimized.

Abstract: A low pressure arc discharge tube having structural means located within the envelope for causing a positive shift in the volt-ampere characteristic curve of the arc discharge tube. The shift in the volt-ampere curve causes a decrease in the impedance necessary to stabilize and ballast the discharge.

Abstract: A low pressure discharge lamp, particularly a compact fluorescent lamp, having a plurality of constricting portions axially spaced apart and extending about the circular periphery of the envelope. The constricting portions, which include defined end segments projecting within the envelope, constrict the plasma discharge and spatially separate at least one of the discharge processes occurring within the plasma discharge and cause the separated process to take place in a different portion within the envelope so that the conditions for energy input and energy dissipation may be independently optimized.

Abstract: A low-pressure arc discharge apparatus having a magnetic field generating means for increasing the output of a discharge lamp is disclosed. The magnetic field generating means, which in one embodiment includes a plurality of permanent magnets, is disposed along the lamp for applying a constant transverse magnetic field over at least a portion of the positive discharge column produced in the arc discharge lamp operating at an ambient temperature greater than about 25.degree. C.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp wherein magnetic field generating means (e.g., permanent magnets) are utilized to generate a static magnetic field across the respective electrode structures of the lamp such that maximum field strength is located at the electrode's filament. An increase in efficacy during operation has been observed.

Abstract: A fill composition for a high intensity discharge device including mercury, niobium oxytrihalide, and a molecular stabilization agent is provided. The molar ratio of niobium oxytrihalide to the molecular stabilization agent in the fill is in the range of from about 5:1 to about 7.5:1. Niobium oxytrihalide is present in the fill in sufficient amount to produce, by dissociation in the discharge, atomic niobium, niobium oxide, NbO, and niobium dioxide, NbO.sub.2, with the molar ratio of niobium-containing vapor species to mercury in the fill being in the range of from about 0.01:1 to about 0.50:1; and mercury pressure of about 1 to about 50 atmospheres at lamp operating temperature. There is also provided a high intensity discharge device comprising a sealed light-transmissive arc tube; the arc tube including the above-described fill; and an energizing means for producing an electric discharge within the arc tube.

Abstract: A simple photoionization technique for enriching a particular isotope of mercury in a naturally-occurring mixture employing an isotopically pure radiation source separately optimized for 253.7 nm. and 404.7 nm. emission, respectively. A vessel is provided for containing the naturally occurring mercury. This vessel may be part of either a flow or closed system. The radiation source brings the isotope from the 6.sup.1 S.sub.0 ground state to the 6.sup.3 P.sub.1 state wherein the nitrogen gas deactivates the isotope to bring the isotope to the long-lived 6.sup.3 P.sub.0 state. Thereafter, the source optimized at 404.7 nm. brings the isotope to the 7.sup.3 S.sub.1 state. At this level the atom may be easily photoionized either by a laser or a powerful visible incoherent radiation source.

Abstract: A method of forming a sealed capsule containing a submilligram quantity of mercury or the like, the capsule being constructed from a hollow glass tube, by placing a globule or droplet of the mercury in the tube. The tube is then evacuated and sealed and is subsequently heated so as to vaporize the mercury and fill the tube therewith. The tube is then separated into separate sealed capsules by heating spaced locations along the tube with a coiled heating wire means to cause collapse spaced locations therealong and thus enable separation of the tube into said capsules.

Abstract: Compact fluorescent lamps employ metal arc directors formed from suitable material, such as steel. The steel parts are vacuum fired to degas same prior to assembly in the lamps.

Abstract: Glass encapsulated, metal arc directors for compact fluorescent lamps. The metal parts are coated with an aqueous suspension of glass frit and fired to form the glass coating. Such parts reduce discharge contamination by reducing the outgassing of the metal parts.

Abstract: In a mercury-containing arc discharge device for converting electrical energy into resonance energy, the isotopic distribution of the mercury in the device is altered from that of natural mercury so as to reduce imprisonment time of resonance radiation and thereby increase the efficiency of conversion of electrical energy into resonance radiation. The .sup.196 Hg isotope content of the mercury is greater than that in natural mercury and equal to or less than 1% enrichment of .sup.196 Hg in combination with removal of a portion of the heavy isotopes of .sup.200 Hg and above.

Abstract: A compact fluorescent lamp comprises multiple, individual tubes mechanically formed into an assembly and inserted into an outer envelope. Only the outer envelope is hermetically sealed and includes an atmosphere of mercury and argon. Novel arc directing means connect the tubes to form a continuous arc path.

Abstract: Compact fluorescent lamps employ metal arc directors formed from suitable material, such as steel. The steel parts are vacuum fired to degas same prior to assembly in the lamps.

Abstract: An arc discharge lamp comprises a source of UV emission and a chamber external thereto. The chamber contains gaseous molecules which absorb the UV emission and are raised to a highly excited state, from which they relax to the ground state through an intermediate energy state. The transition from either the highly excited state to the intermediate state, or from the intermediate state to the ground state, is accompanied by emission of visible light.