Abstract: A gas switch includes an anode and a cathode spaced apart from the anode, wherein the cathode includes a conduction surface. The gas switch also includes a plurality of magnets arranged to generate a magnetic field that defines an annular path over a portion of the conduction surface at a radial distance from a switch axis, and a control grid positioned between the anode and the cathode. In operation, the control grid is arranged to establish a conducting plasma between the anode and the cathode, wherein, in the presence of the conducting plasma, a voltage drop between the anode and the cathode is less than 150 volts, and wherein the conducting plasma forms a cathode spot that circles the annular path.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multi-layer thermal protection material comprising: (i) a substrate layer; (ii) a reflection layer formed on the substrate layer; and (iii) an emission layer formed on the reflection layer and effective to convert thermal energy to photonic energy. The reflection layer comprises a porous scattering media effective to reflect photonic energy away from the substrate layer. The emission layer comprises a thermally emissive dopant incorporated into a thermal matrix material. The present disclosure also provides articles such as portions of hypersonic flight vehicles and turbine component parts that include coatings comprising the multi-layer protection material of the present disclosure. The present disclosure also provides methods of making and using the multi-layer thermal protection material and associated articles described herein.

Abstract: A metal halide discharge lamp comprises a lamp body and a chamber formed within the body. A pair of electrodes extends into the chamber and have electrode tips spaced apart from one another. A discharge medium composition is sealed within the chamber that generates a plasma, which generates visible light. The composition comprises a rare gas, a first metal halide that produces a luminous flux and zinc iodide that generates a desired lamp operating voltage. The composition may also comprise zinc, sealed in the chamber, in elemental form that is not derived from the first metal halide or the zinc iodide. The zinc iodide halide serves as a substitute for mercury for purposes of generating desired lamp operating voltage; and, the excess pure zinc attracts or reacts with iodine atoms thereby making available electrons and the first metal halide for generation of a luminous flux.

Abstract: A metal halide discharge lamp comprises a lamp body and a chamber formed within the body. A pair of electrodes extends into the chamber and have electrode tips spaced apart from one another. A discharge medium composition is sealed within the chamber that generates a plasma, which generates visible light. The composition comprises a rare gas, a first metal halide that produces a luminous flux and a second metal halide that generates a desired lamp operating voltage. The composition may also comprise a metal, sealed in the chamber, in elemental form and is not derived from the first metal halide or the second metal halide. The second metal halide serves as a substitute for mercury for purposes of generating desired lamp operating voltage.