Abstract: A fluorescent lamp includes: a bulb including bent and straight-tube portions having an external tube diameter of 12 to 20 mm and a tube length of 800 to 2500 mm. The straight portions are disposed generally within the same plane through the bent portions. A pair of end portions with electrodes sealed therein form a single discharge path through the straight tube and bent portions. A phosphor layer is formed on the inner face of the bulb, and a discharge medium including mercury is sealed in the bulb. Thermal deterioration of the phosphor layer formed at the straight tube portions is reduced so deterioration of the initial light flux is suppressed, allowing lighting at higher efficiency. With the above configuration, a fluorescent lamp is compact and capable of light with high efficiency, and with improved light output properties. A light fixture uses this fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp 1 comprises: a bulb 2 formed by heating bent-portion-formation preordination portions of a single straight-tube-shaped bulb 2a having an external tube diameter of 12 to 20 mm and a tube length of 800 to 2500 mm, forming a plurality of bent portions 2c and straight tube portions 2b adjacent to the bent portions 2c by bending processing, such that the straight portions 2b are disposed generally within the same plane by way of the bent portions 2c, forming in close proximity a pair of end portions 2d and 2d with electrodes 5 and 5 sealed in so as to form a single discharge path through the straight tube portions 2b and bent portions 2c, forming a phosphor layer 4 on the inner face of the bulb, and sealing a discharge medium including mercury; and a base 6 provided on the end portions 2d and 2d of the bulb 2; whereby thermal deterioration of the phosphor layer 4 formed at the straight tube portions 2b is reduced so deterioration of the initial light flux is suppressed, allowing lighting at high

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp has a glass bulb, electrodes provided therein, a discharge medium enclosed inside the glass bulb and containing 0.009 mg/cm2 or less of mercury per inner surface area of the bulb and an inert gas, and the fluorescent layer provided on the inner surface. The fluorescent layer contains the phosphor fine particles and a binding agent preferably composed of alumina fine particles having a BET value of 60 m2/g or more and alumina fine particles having a BET value of 40 m2/g or less. A lighting device incorporates the fluorescent lamp described above. According to such fluorescent lamp and lighting device, the luminous-flux rising characteristics at an initial lighting stage and film adhesion strength of a fluorescent layer can be improved by specifically defining the fluorescent layer, phosphor fine particles, and alumina fine particles.

Abstract: A glow discharge lamp has a discharge vessel, a pair of electrodes mounted in the discharge vessel, ionizable filling which is principally made of rare gas and filled in the discharge vessel, and emissive material containing zinc alloy and provided on at least one of the electrodes.

Abstract: A glow discharge lamp has a discharge vessel, a pair of electrodes mounted in the discharge vessel, ionizable filling which is principally made of rare gas and filled in the discharge vessel, and emissive material containing zinc alloy and provided on at least one of the electrodes.

Abstract: A low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp (101) includes a translucent airtight container (1), a pair of electrodes (2) and (2′) mounted in the airtight container (1) and arranged at both ends and so that a distance of one of the electrodes from the sealing portions (1a) and (1a′) becomes longer than that of the other electrode, a mercury emission body (5) filled in the airtight container and discharge medium including mercury discharged from the mercury emission body (5) and inert gas. A cold spot is formed at one sealing portion (1a) of the low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp (10) and mercury is filled by the mercury emission body (5) and therefore, there is almost no excess mercury existing in the tube (1), luminous flux starts up fast, mercury collected in the cold spot scarcely moves to other portion, and the lamp characteristic is stabilized.

Abstract: A low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp is composed of a glass tube which has a discharge passage having two end portions arranged in the same direction, a folded portion in the direction opposite the portions, a pair of electrodes provided between the portions and amalgam provided in an end portion and for controlling the mercury vapor pressure. The tube has a configuration such that a low temperature region is formed in an inner face of the tube adjacent to the folded portion when the lamp is turned on in the state where the folded portion is oriented in a direction where it is affected by gravity, whereas, the low temperature region is formed in an inner face of the tube other than the folded portion when the lamp is turned on in the state that the folded portion is oriented in a direction where it is not affected by gravity, at a room temperature.

Abstract: An amalgam has a base metal including bismuth in an amount selected from the range between about 45 wt % and 65 wt %, and lead in an amount selected from the range between about 35 wt % and 55 wt %. The amalgam also includes mercury the amount of which is selected from the range between about 1 wt % and 12 wt % of the total amount of the amalgam. Such amalgam is sealed in a low mercury vapor pressure discharge lamp which operates at a medium bulb surface temperature to achieve a stable mercury vapor pressure over an extended amalgam temperature range.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an amalgam for sealing in a fluorescent lamp consisting of tin, lead, bismuth, indium and mercury is disclosed. In this method, the amalgam is first melted and then discharged through a nozzle to be contacted with a coolant. A fluorescent lamp containing the amalgam manufactured by the above method is also disclosed.