Abstract: Disclosed is an electrodeless, low pressure gas discharge lamp. The lamp includes a vitreous envelope containing a metal vapor and an inert gas. The envelope is shaped with an external chamber for receiving an electrical excitation circuit. The excitation circuit is effective for exciting the metal vapor to emit light with electromagnetic fields that are passed through the vitreous envelope from outside, to inside, the envelope. A circuit supplies electrical power from power mains to the excitation circuit. A transparent, electrically conductive coating is disposed on the inner surface of the vitreous envelope for suppressing electromagnetic interference on the power mains. An electrically conductive coating is disposed on the outer surface of the vitreous envelope; it is capacitively coupled to the inner conductive coating, via a wall of the vitreous envelope, and is maintained at a suitable potential for suppressing electromagnetic interference on the power mains.

Abstract: A cold cathode tube in which an auxiliary electrode formed of an electric conductive material is provided on an outer surface of a cylindrical tube element so as to extend over substantially a half of the tube element from one end thereof to a location in the neighborhood of a center of the tube element along a longitudinal direction, and a longer one of a pair of lead wires from a power source section is connected to one of a pair of electrodes on the side where the auxiliary electrode is provided.

Abstract: A shrouded pin electrode structure including an elongated pin that extends into the volume of a gas containment structure of an RF excited gas discharge light source and is physically isolated from the discharge gas contained in the volume of the gas containment structure by a shroud structure made for example of a gas impermeable dielectric coating or closed end tube.

Abstract: A fluorescent lighting system that includes a gas containment vessel having an internal phosphor coating and containing an ionizable gas, field concentrator electrodes supported inside or outside the gas containment vessel, and an RF power source coupled directly or capacitively to the field concentrator electrodes.

Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp comprising an arc tube constructed of a light-transmissive material. An exciting structure surrounds the arc tube and is energizable with radio frequency current to develop an arc discharge. A reflective coating of non-conducting insulating material is disposed on the arc tube wall and is located to reflect light from the arc discharge through the arc tube. The reflective coating and the uncoated portion of the arc tube wall are surrounded by the exciting structure so that light from the arc discharge may reach the reflective coating without blockage by the exciting structure and, following reflection by the coating, travel through the uncoated portion of the arc tube wall.

Abstract: An electrodeless high intensity discharge (HID) lamp arc tube having a stabilized condensate location. The arc tube contains a predetermined location or distortion on the inside surface of the arc tube. The distortion may be a protrusion on the inside surface of the arc tube formed during the arc tube forming process. In operation of the lamp, the non gaseous dose remains condensed substantially in the cold spot region formed by said protrusion so that the arc tube walls remain clear for maximal light output, and the arc tube remains stable and efficacious to substantially higher power than is the case for arc tubes without the distortion.

Abstract: A high-pressure glow discharge lamp (1) having a planar discharge vessel (2) which is sealed in a vacuumtight manner, which surrounds a discharge space (3) filled with a gas mixture which forms excimers, and whose parallel walls (4, 5) are formed from a dielectric material. The surfaces (6, 7) of the walls (4, 5) remote from the discharge space (3) are provided with planar electrodes (8, 9). At least one (5) of these walls with its associated electrode (8) is at least partly transparent to the generated radiation. The gas mixture includes at least one of the rare gases Xe, Kr and Ar for forming an excimer and at least one of the halogens I.sub.2, Br.sub.2, Cl.sub.2 and F.sub.2. The partial pressure of the substance forming the excimer is at least 10 and at most 600 mbar in the case of Xe and/or Kr and at least 10 and at most 1000 mbar in the case of Ar. The partial pressure of the halogen is between 0.05 and 5% of the partial pressure of the substance forming the excimer.

Abstract: The electrodeless low pressure sodium vapour discharge lamp which has a discharge vessel (1) containing sodium vapour and inert gas. The discharge vessel (1) has an enveloping part (10) and connected therewith at a first end of the discharge vessel (1) a sunken part (20). In the sunken part (20) is a body (30) of soft-magnetic material which is surrounded by an electric coil (31). The discharge vessel (1) is enclosed in an outer bulb (40). The inner surface (2) of the discharge vessel (1) has a layer (4) of borate glass. The borate glass which covers the sunken part (20), is sintered. The invention renders it possible to make parts of construction glass which have a layer of borate glass at an outer surface.

Abstract: A microwave-powered discharge lamp having a microwave cavity, a discharge lamp mounted within the cavity, a reflector for light emitted by the lamp mounted outside the cavity, and a non-conductive reflector mounted within the cavity for outwardly reflecting light emitted from the lamp.

Abstract: A cold-cathode discharge tube having an anode and a cathode is provided with a proximity conductor which is divided into a first and second proximity conductor members arranged on the outer bottom surface of the discharge tube below the cathode and below the anode respectively. A high voltage is applied to the first conductor member below the cathode, and the second conductor member below the anode is grounded.

Abstract: In a UV high-power radiator, a plurality of dielectric tubes (6) having internal electrodes (7) are disposed in the interior of a quartz housing having rectangular cross section. The interior of the housing is filled with a filling gas which emits UV radiation under discharge conditions. The electrical supply is provided in such a way that the discharges (17) develop between adjacent dielectric tubes (6). A notable feature of this construction is its compactness, economical nature and service friendliness.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for delivering energy to two field applicators includes a power divider electrically coupled to a planar transmission line connecting the two field applicators. The power divider receives an input microwave signal and delivers a first power signal to an applicator along a first leg of the line, and delivers a second power signal to the other applicator along a second leg of the line. The power divider is coupled to the transmission line at a point which is remote from the applicators such that the power signals will encounter substantially identical discontinuities as the signals are coupled into their respective applicators.

Abstract: In order to be able in the case of UV high-power omni-directional radiators to direct the generated radiation only in a preferred direction, and to avoid shading by the inner dielectric tube (2), the outer electrodes (4) are arranged only on a part of the circumference of the outer dielectric tubes (1). In this way, the object to be irradiated or the substance to be irradiated can thus be arranged directly in the range of emission of the discharges (7).

Abstract: The high-power radiator includes a discharge space (12) bounded by a metal electrode (8), cooled on one side, and a dielectric (9) and filled with a noble gas or gas mixture, both the dielectric (9) and also the other electrode situated on the surface of the dielectric facing away from the discharge space (12) being transparent for the radiation generated by quiet electric discharges. In this manner, a large-area UV radiator with high efficiency is created which can be operated at high electrical power densities of up to 50 kW/m.sup.2 of active electrode surface.

Abstract: A gas probe starter for an electrodeless HID lamp includes a getter for removing gaseous impurities from the fill contained in the starting chamber of the gas probe starter. In a preferred embodiment, a metal foil having active getter material disposed on the surfaces thereof in the form of a sintered powder is inserted at an optimum location in the starting chamber which depends on the optimum operating temperature of the particular getter material.

Abstract: The fill of a self-extinguishing gas probe starter for an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp includes a starter fill component which has a relatively low vapor pressure and is substantially inert in the starter fill at ambient temperatures, but which component vaporizes and becomes electronegative as the temperature of the lamp increases, so that the starter fill component attaches electrons of the starting discharge in the gas probe starter and thereby extinguishes the starting discharge after initiation of the arc discharge in the arc tube. As a result, the flow of currents between the gas probe starter and the arc tube, which would otherwise have a detrimental effect on the arc tube wall, is avoided.

Abstract: This electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp comprises a light-transmissive arc tube having spaced wall portions of dielectric material and a first gaseous fill within the arc tube. An excitation coil about the arc tube is energizable with RF current effective to develop a toroidal arc discharge in the first gaseous fill upon a dielectric breakdown of the fill. A starting container is joined to the arc tube and has an end wall constituted by one of arc-tube wall portions. A second gaseous fill within the starting container has a dielectric strength lower than that of the first gaseous fill. For initiating toroidal arc discharge, we provide an arrangement for producing a dielectric breakdown of the gaseous fill within the starting container that develops into an electric discharge that changes the potential at end wall in such a manner as to cause a dielectric breakdown of first gaseous fill.

Abstract: An image input device including a rare gas cold cathode discharge tube is provided to read an irradiated picture image using a photoelectric transducer element. The rare gas cold cathode tube includes a linear tube including a main electrode, an auxiliary electrode and a conductive member connected to the auxiliary electrode for preventing deflections of a positive column formed along the auxiliary electrode. The tube is successively powered on and off. Three of such tubes of different colors may be provided and the irradiated picture image may be read by a storage type photoelectric transducer element.

Abstract: A passive starting circuit foran electrodeless HID lamp includes a series resonant LC circuit including an inductor of variable impedance coupled in series with the parasitic capacitance between a starting probe and the excitation coil of the lamp, and further including a coupling capacitance for directly coupling the starting circuit to the excitation coil. The coupling capacitance is connected between the high terminal of the excitation coil, or a point in the circuit at approximately the same potential thereof, and a conductive support for holding the lamp and starting probe in a lamp fixture. In this way, the starting voltage is maximized for more efficient and rapid starting. Preferably, the series resonant capacitance of the starting circuit is optimized so that the ballast requires little, if any, retuning after the lamp has started.

Abstract: An electrodeless discharge tube containing an ionizable fill, the tube having a first portion for insertion in a launcher and a further portion separated from the first portion by a partition wall. Hence a discharge can be excited in the further portion because a surface wave can propagate through the wall separating the first and further portions.

Abstract: A passive, resonant starting circuit for an electrodeless HID lamp includes a starting coil that is shielded from stray capacitances that would otherwise result in detuning the resonant circuit and hence decreasing efficiency. The starting circuit further includes a capacitance coupled in series with the starting coil and another capacitance coupled in parallel with the coil. In a preferred embodiment, the starting coil is enclosed in a conductive cylindrical housing which functions as both a shield from external capacitances and the resonant capacitance in parallel with the starting coil. The housing has a lengthwise gap in order to prevent the housing from acting as a short circuit secondary with respect to the starting coil. A conductive disk is mounted to the ground end of the housing to increase shielding even further. The parallel resonant capacitance is determined by the length of the housing and the distance between the coil and the housing.

Abstract: A starting circuit for an electrodeless HID lamp, comprising a series resonant LC circuit of variable impedance, provides a starting voltage to a fixed or movable starting probe substantially simultaneously with the application of power to the excitation coil from the main power source. In a preferred embodiment, the starting circuit provides a starting signal to a gas probe starter of the type including a fixed starting electrode coupled to a starting chamber which contains a relatively low-pressure gas and is attached to the outer wall of the arc tube. Resonant operation of the starting circuit results in the application of a sufficiently high voltage to ignite a glow discharge in the low-pressure starting chamber. In turn, the starting voltage is capacitively coupled to the arc tube, ionizing the fill and initiating an arc discharge therein.

Abstract: A gas probe starter for an electrodeless high intensity discharge (HID) lamp includes a fixed starting electrode for coupling a starting voltage to a chamber which is attached to the outer wall of the arc tube and contains a gas. The gas in the starting chamber, which is preferably at a low pressure relative to that of the arc tube fill, is switched between conducting and nonconducting states corresponding to lamp-starting and normal running operation, respectively. To start the lamp, the starting voltage is applied to the starting electrode, causing a discharge current to flow in the gas chamber which, in turn, results in the capacitive coupling of a sufficiently high voltage to the arc tube in order to initiate an arc discharge therein. After the arc discharge is initiated, the starting voltage is substantially reduced so that the discharge current in the starting chamber is extinguished.

Abstract: A starting aid for an electrodeless high intensity discharge (HID) lamp comprises at least one starting electrode which, at least during lamp starting, is situated adjacent to, and preferably in contact with, the portion of the arc tube nearest the arc discharge and oriented so as to provide a capacitive starting current that flows in substantially the same location as the arc discharge, thereby easing the transition from a relatively low current glow discharge to a relatively high current, high intensity discharge. The starting aid comprises one or more conductors that substantially conform to the shape of the arc tube at least during initiation of the arc discharge. After the lamp is started, the starting aid may be moved to a predetermined location away from the arc tube. Alternatively, the starting aid may comprise one or more fixed starting electrodes.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp having an improved starting performance, especially at low temperatures. A gas under a low pressure is sealed in a glass tube having a pair of electrodes mounted thereon, and a fluorescent material is coated on the inner surface of the glass tube, the fluorescent material being activated to emit light by a discharge between the pair of electrodes. A third electrode is provided between the pair of electrodes, the third electrode being connected to one of the pair of electrodes.

Abstract: Low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp having a discharge vessel filled with mercury and a rare gas, which discharge vessel comprises two substantially parallel, mainly rectangular flat glass plates located at a relatively short distance from each other and being transparent to light, which plates are connected together in a gas-tight manner proximate their circumference and form upright walls. Electrodes, between which a discharge is maintained in the discharge vessel during operation arranged on the outer side of the discharge vessel. The electrodes are in the form of strips of conducting material which are arranged on at least two facing upright walls and which extend substantially throughout the length of these walls.

Abstract: An electrodeless lamp may be formed with a capsule having a radiant energy transmissive material defining an approximately cylindrical enclosed volume having an external length less than 20.0 millimeters, and an outer diameter less than 8.0 millimeters. The enclosed volume is filled with a lamp fill excitable by a high frequency electromagnetic field to produce radiant energy. The small size capsule produces a particularly efficient, orientation tolerant arc discharge. The arc is then highly stable as to position, yielding a good optical source to design for. The temperature gradient is small, thereby yielding little thermal stress on the capsule. An electrodeless HID headlamp system may be formed with the efficient capsule from a radio frequency source operating from a the power supply of a typical automobile. The headlamp system includes a high frequency power source, a transmission line, a coupler, an excitable lamp fill captured in a lamp capsule, a reflector and a lens.

Abstract: A starting circuit for an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp comprises a high efficiency power supply for providing a radio frequency signal to a starting probe disposed proximate the arc tube of the lamp. The power supply may comprise either a Class-D or Class-E power amplifier having an output resonant circuit tuned to a substantially higher frequency than the operating frequency of the signal provided to the excitation coil by the lamp ballast to ensure minimal interaction between the starting circuit and the ballast. The output resonant circuit includes an inductance coupled in series with a capacitance that preferably comprises the capacitance between the excitation coil and the starting probe. After initiating the arc discharge, the starting circuit is deactivated.

Abstract: A starting circuit for an electrodeless HID lamp provides a two-stage resonant starting signal to a gas probe starter of the type comprising a starting chamber which contains a relatively low-pressure gas and is attached to the outer wall of the arc tube. The starting circuit comprises a resonant LC circuit of variable impedance including the series combination of a variable inductance and the parasitic capacitance between the gas probe starter and the excitation coil. In operation, the resonant circuit is tuned to a predetermined value so that, upon application of an RF signal to the excitation coil, resonant operation of the starting circuit results in the application of a sufficiently high starting voltage to the starting chamber to ignite a low-current glow discharge therein. Once the glow discharge is ignited, the starting circuit is retuned to ensure that a sufficiently high starting voltage is capacitively coupled to the arc tube to ionize the arc tube fill and initiate an arc discharge therein.

Abstract: A starting aid for an electrodeless high intensity discharge (HID) lamp comprises a spiral starting electrode which, at least during lamp starting, conforms to the shape of the arc tube so as to provide a relatively high capacitive starting current upon receipt of a radio frequency starting signal, resulting in a rapid transition from a glow discharge to a high intensity solenoidal discharge. At least one turn of the spiral starting electrode is preferably in contact with the portion of the arc tube nearest the arc discharge to be formed and is oriented so as to provide a capacitive starting current that flows in substantially the same location as the arc discharge to further ease lamp starting. In one embodiment, the spiral starting aid comprises first and second coil portions. The first coil portion conforms to the shape of the arc tube and has at least one turn disposed nearest the portion of the arc tube where the arc discharge is to be formed.

Abstract: A discharge lamp comprises a substantially straight glass bulb having a discharge gas charged therein and an electrode provided at each longitudinal end portion of the bulb on the outer surface thereof. A high frequency voltage is applied across the electrodes of the discharge lamp. Each end portion has an outer surface area per unit length of the bulb larger than that at light emitting portion of the bulb. The outer surface area may be uneven or in the shape of ridges and furrows at the end portions to create a large surface area, the electrodes being configured to the ridges and furrows. The end portions may have a larger diameter than that of the light emitting portion of the bulb so that they have a larger surface area contacting with the bulb. Each of the electrodes may have a narrow belt-shaped elongate portion on the outer surface of the bulb extending longitudinally within toward the middle portion, thereby allowing use of a lower discharge voltage.

Abstract: A high-power radiator, especially for ultraviolet light, wherein in order to increase the efficiency in the case of UV high-power cylindrical radiators, the inner dielectrics (3) are very small in comparison with the outer dielectric tube. A privileged direction of radiation is achieved by eccentric arrangement of the dielectrics and outer electrodes (2) only on the surface adjacent to the inner dielectric (3), and simultaneous construction of the outer electrode (7) as a reflector.

Abstract: In a UV high-power radiator, the electrodes (6', 6") consist of wires embedded in a glass dielectric (3). The dielectric is arranged spaced between two UV-transparent sheets (1, 2). The discharge spaces (8, 9) are filled with a filler gas emitting radiation under discharge conditions. The surface discharges (10) form on the dielectric surface in each case between two adjacent electrode wires (6', 6"). A high-power radiator constructed in this manner is characterized by simple and economical construction and high UV yield.

Abstract: The high-power radiation source for visible light includes a discharge space (4) bounded by dielectrics (1, 10) and filled with a noble gas or gas mixture. Adjacent to the dielectrics (1,10) are luminescent coatings (5,11). Both the dielectric (1,10) and the electrode (6,12) situated on the surfaces of the dielectrics facing away from the discharge space (4) are transparent to the radiation generated by the dark electrical discharges. In this way, a large-area radiation source with high efficiency is provided which can be operated with high electrical power densities of up to 50 kW/m.sup.2 of active electrode surface.

Abstract: The high-power radiator comprises a discharge space (12) bounded by a metal electrode (8), cooled on one side, and a dielectric (9). The discharge space (12) is filled with a noble gas or gas mixture. Both the dielectric (9) and the other electrode situated on the surface of the dielectric (9) facing away from the discharge space (12) are transparent for the radiation generated by quiet electric discharges. In this manner, a large-area UV radiator with high efficiency is created which can be operated at high electrical power densities of up to 50 kW/m.sup.2 of active electrode surface.

Abstract: The gas laser with high-frequency excitation exhibits a laser tube (1), to which at least one pair of electrodes (5, 6) for the high-frequency excitation is externally fitted, and at least one inlet connection (2) and one outlet connection (3) for the gas. In order to permit a shorter distance between the pair of electrodes (5, 6) and the outlet connection (3), it is provided that a disc (12) having a high dielectric constant is disposed on the tube (1) between the pair of electrodes (5, 6) and the outlet connection (3), which disc extends substantially perpendicular to the axis of the tube.

Abstract: A gas discharge apparatus includes a discharge chamber including a transparent dome portion and an electrode-including base portion, which together enclose an ionizable gas. A cup-shaped base member is affixed at its periphery to the edge of the base portion of the discharge chamber. A power supply and discharge excitation network is disposed within the interior of the base portion. The power supply and discharge network include a pair of terminals. An oscillator and associated step-up output transformer powered from the terminals is positioned between the terminals and the discharge chamber. A field shield including a conductive sheet member is positioned between the terminals and the discharge chamber. The field shield is adapted to be electrically coupled to the electrode so that discharge-supporting electric fields may be established in the discharge chamber between the electrode and through the dome portion of that chamber to an effective ground electrode exterior to the chamber.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp device including an outer tube containing a fluorescent lamp therein, a connection tube connected to one end of the outer tube, a cap containing a glow starter and a condenser connected to the other end of the outer tube, and a base member connected to the connection tube. The base member contains a ballast member including a thermistor and a thermal adjustment member having a plurality of radiation fins, which are connected electrically and thermally through a conductive plate.

Abstract: A coaxial high voltage, high current switch having a solid cylindrical cold cathode coaxially surrounded by a thin hollow cylindrical inner electrode and a larger hollow cylindrical outer electrode. A high voltage trigger between the cathode and the inner electrode causes electrons to be emitted from the cathode and flow to the inner electrode preferably through a vacuum. Some of the electrons penetrate the inner electrode and cause a volumetric discharge in the gas (which may be merely air) between the inner and outer electrodes. The discharge provides a low impedance path between a high voltage charge placed on the outer electrode and a load (which may be a high power laser) coupled to the inner electrode. For high repetition rate the gas between the inner and outer electrodes may be continuously exchanged or refreshed under pressure.

Abstract: The spark gap device disclosed herein comprises at least two sets of electrodes enclosed within a common chamber. A delay line is connected between successive sets of electrodes. An arc which develops across the first set of electrodes as a result of a voltage transient ionizes the gas in the chamber. The voltage transient is delayed by the time required to travel through the delay line. When the voltage transient arrives at the second set of electrodes, an arc develops in less time than was required at the first set of electrodes due to the fact that the gas in the chamber has been at least partially ionized.

Abstract: An electric discharge tube in which an electric luminous discharge is to be produced for display purposes has internal electrodes connected to a generator providing an alternating voltage of cyclically varying magnitude. At least one external electrode extending lengthwise of the tube is connected to one generator terminal by way of a reactance, preferably a capacitor. The external electrodes may be wire or thin metal strip and are preferably adhesively secured to the tube envelope. A plurality of such tubes may be connected in series to a single voltage generator.

Abstract: In a multilayer gas-discharge display panel of the type including a plurality of character blocks, each including a plasma supply reservoir section, a control anode section, and a display section, such sections being arranged in a plurality of parallel, gas-filled columns defining a display matrix, the supply reservoir providing a source of ions which are selectively conducted by the control anodes to the display section, a voltage being applied to the display section to initiate a gas breakdown in those columns which have had ions conducted therethrough by the control anodes, an improved display section is disclosed comprising a transparent, insulating plate extending across the front of the panel, perpendicular to and covering all of the columns, a transparent electrode covering the front surface of the plate, on the opposite side of the plate from the supply reservoir and the control anodes, and means for applying voltage pulses of alternating polarity to the electrodes to create a flashing discharge in ea

Abstract: A device for controlling the termination of light emission by a flash including means for detecting the light reflected from the subject being illuminated by the flash, integrating means connected to the detecting means for providing a flash termination signal when the total amount of light received by the detecting means reaches a predetermined value, and flash termination means connected to the integrating device and to the flash device for terminating the delivery of electrical energy to the flash device when the signal from the integrating device reaches its predetermined value. The flash termination device is preferably constituted by a novel gas-filled, arc-producing element having identical, unpolarized electrodes and an internal or external triggering electrode.

Abstract: A device for controlling the termination of light emission by a flash device including means for detecting the light reflected from the subject being illuminated by the flash, integrating means connected to the detecting means for providing a flash termination signal when the total amount of light received by the detecting means reaches a predetermined value, and flash termination means connected to the integrating device and to the flash device for terminating the delivery of electrical energy to the flash device when the signal from the integrating device reaches its predetermined value. The flash termination device is preferably constituted by a novel gas-filled, arc-producing element having identical, unpolarized electrodes and an internal or external triggering electrode.