Abstract: An electric lamp has a candoluminescent filament. The filament has a resistive core which is heated electrically. Infrared radiation emitted by the resistive core is converted to visible light by a sheath of candoluminescent material surrounding the resistive core. The filament may be a sintered composition of carbon, ceric oxide and thorium dioxide. Carbon proximate to the surface of the filament is removed by oxidation, leaving a closed pore structure of candoluminescent material.

Abstract: The lamp shown herein is a beam mode fluorescent lamp for general lighting applications. The lamp comprises a light transmitting envelope, having a phosphor coating on its inner surface, enclosing a thermionic cathode for emitting electrons, a pair of anodes for accelerating the electrons and forming electron beams, and a fill material, such as mercury, which emits ultraviolet radiation upon excitation. The two anode configuration provides an extended region of electron beam excitation. In addition, a separate cathode heater filament is not required due to the anode configuration. As a result this lamp is operated with a single power source and only two conductors connecting the power source to the electrodes. This invention further provides a high degree of self-stabilization of discharge current by means of the twin parallel anode configuration.

Abstract: The lamp shown herein is a beam mode fluorescent lamp for general lighting applications. The lamp comprises a light transmitting envelope, having a phosphor coating in its inner surface, the envelope encloses a thermionic cathode having a number of segments for emitting electrons, a plurality of anodes for accelerating the electrons and forming a corresponding number of electron beams simultaneously in two directions, and a fill material, such as mercury, which emits ultraviolet radiation upon excitation. The multi-electrode array configuration provides an extended region of electron beam excitation and thereby more visible light. A single power source and pair of connecting conductors provide both cathode heating current and electrode potential difference functions. In addition, this configuration provides for a greater and more complete discharge of the volume within the envelope than single electrode elements.

Abstract: The lamp shown herein is a beam mode fluorescent lamp for general lighting applications. The lamp comprises a light transmitting envelope, having a phosphor coating on its inner surface, the envelope encloses a thermionic cathode having a number of segments for emitting electrons, a plurality of anodes for accelerating the electrons and forming a corresponding number of electron beams, and a fill material, such as mercury, which emits ultraviolet radiation upon excitation. The multi-electrode array configuration provides an extended region of electron beam excitation and thereby more visible light. A single power source and pair of connecting conductors perform both cathode heating current and electrode potential difference functions. In addition, this configuration provides for a greater and more complete discharge of the volume within the envelope than single electrode elements. The present invention permits a higher operating voltage, lower power density and a lower operating temperature for the lamp.

Abstract: A protective refractory metal oxide coating of 3Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.2SiO.sub.2 or 3B.sub.2 O.sub.3.2SiO.sub.2 is coated on the internal surface of a vessel by low pressure plasma induced chemical reactions. The source of the SiO.sub.2 required for the reaction can either be from the internal surface of the vessel (e.g., glass, quartz) or it can be introduced into the vessel.

Abstract: The lamp shown herein is a beam mode fluorescent lamp for general lighting applications. The lamp comprises a light transmitting envelope, having a phosphor coating on its inner surface, enclosing a thermionic cathode for emitting electrons and an anode for accelerating the electrons and forming an electron beam, and a fill material, such as mercury, which emits ultraviolet radiation upon excitation. The cathode configuration provides for the elimination of "hot spots" due to ion bombardment at the low potential end of the cathode and for higher overall cathode emission of electrons. Various methods are employed to accomplish these ends, such as: segmenting the cathode, pitch variation of the cathode winding; ion probes and a non-uniform primary coil wound around a larger mandrel wire.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for starting high intensity discharge lamps utilizing a spiral line pulse generator to generate high voltage, short duration starting pulses. The spiral line pulse generator includes two conductors and two insulators, each in the form of an elongated sheet, in an alternating arrangement which is rolled together in a spiral configuration having a plurality of turns. A high voltage, short duration pulse is provided upon closure of a low inductance switch coupled between the conductors. The pulse is coupled to the discharge lamp by an elongated conductor located in close proximity to the discharge tube. The spiral line pulse generator can be included within the outer jacket of the light source.

Abstract: A light source including two high intensity discharge devices, such as metal vapor discharge tubes, electrically coupled in parallel to provide fast restart and immediate illumination after a momentary power interruption. Upon application of power, one of the discharge devices starts and operates while the other discharge device remains below its maximum starting temperature and in readiness for immediate restart. The discharge devices can be enclosed by a common outer envelope. The discharge devices can alternatively be high pressure electrodeless lamps coupled in parallel to provide fast restart.

Abstract: A luminescent glass comprising a host material consisting essentially of 25 to 36 mole percent Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, the balance P.sub.2 O.sub.5, and which is doped with cerium and terbium. The glass is an efficient emitter of visible radiation, predominantly green, when excited by ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: A white light source is described in which a trivalent metallic ultraphosphate is irradiated with a low voltage electron beam. The metallic ions are generally restricted to the lanthanide rare earth ions and yttrium. The material so irradiated emits light in a spectral continuum centered in the visible portion of the electro-magnetic spectrum. This emission is, however, in addition to any narrow bandwidth light emission of the type generally associated with a transition of the metallic ion involving the electrons of the 4f shell.

Abstract: A optical logic device is described in which binary logic functions are accomplished by use of a laser, such as a dye laser, whose output has a polarization direction which is determinable by the direction of polarization of an input excitation laser pumping pulse. An optical component, such as a birefringent element, establishes a pair of bistable polarization directions representative of the binary logic levels. Bistable polarization operation is achieved by requiring a greater intensity of an input laser pumping signal to establish one polarization direction when compared with the input intensity required to establish the other polarization direction. A Brewster plate may be employed to establish the bistable operation of the laser medium.