Abstract: A reactor and method is disclosed that creates a stabilized, heated plasma and generates a large amount of thermal energy. The initial plasma may be created by heating, either through combustion reactions and/or external heating mechanism, a fuel which is a source of hydrogen ions and air (or oxygen) inside the reactor chamber, and then locally ionizing the hot matter with an external source of radiation, such as a laser and/or an electrical discharge and/or microwave discharge. A gas vortex around the plasma mass may be maintained to control the plasma mass, shape, and location.

Abstract: An intense ultraviolet radiation source is disclosed that may be operated in substantially any arbitrary gas environment, without regard to a containment envelope for the ultraviolet radiation source. The intense ultraviolet radiation source can be generated by applying a pulsed or continuous electrical discharge to a partially ionized combustion flame via two electrodes. The combustion flame and electrical discharge can be focused, contained, or confined by gas pressure, electric fields, and/or magnetic fields. Optionally, the thermal energy in the flame and the electrical discharge power input may be augmented with an electromagnetic radiation source, such as a radio-frequency induction heater, a laser, or a microwave generator. Impurities may be placed in contact with or added to the fuel and/or the oxidizer to further alter the emitted ultraviolet radiation spectral brightness as needed.

Abstract: A reactor and method is disclosed that creates a stabilized, heated plasma and generates a large amount of thermal energy. The initial plasma may be created by heating, either through combustion reaction and/or external heating mechanism, a fuel which is a source of hydrogen ions and air (or oxygen) inside the reactor chamber, and then locally ionizing the hot matter with an external source of radiation, such as a laser and/or an electrical discharge and/or microwave discharge. A gas vortex around the plasma mass may be maintained to control the plasma mass, shape, and location.

Abstract: An efficient, intense ultraviolet radiation source is disclosed that uses electrodes, external to the UV-generating plasma, to eliminate electrode erosion. High-frequency electrical energy is coupled to the UV-emitting plasma capacitively. The electrodes are attached to the glass envelope in such a way as to minimize or eliminate resistive or capacitive losses. The intense ultraviolet radiation source can be generated by applying a continuous or pulsed/gated high-frequency voltage to the glass envelope via the external electrodes. Electrode erosion is eliminated as a reason for lamp failure and the peak intensity that can be generated without damage is greatly increased.