Abstract: A method and an apparatus for phototherapy or tanning of the human body utilizes energy most efficiently by generating incoherent excimer radiation in the wavelength bands of between 300 and 310 nm, preferably about 308 nm, and from 315 to 350 nm. A discharge space (4) is defined by a discharge vessel (3) of radiation transmissive dielectric material. A first electrode (5), preferably a mesh or a net jacket, surrounds the wall of the discharge vessel; a second electrode (7) covered by a second dielectric (8) is coaxially located within the discharge vessel. A fill of xenon halide, preferably xenon chloride with a cold-fill pressure of about 500 to 1,500 mbar is located within a discharge space (4). A voltage source (15) is connected to said first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A lamp apparatus for producing a beam of light that can be used as a part of a source for a projection system. The lamp apparatus of the present invention produces a beam of light originating from a small aperture. The apparatus includes an electrodeless lamp body in the form of elongated outer tube having a hollow interior. An inner sleeve fits or is deposited inside the outer tube, the inner sleeve having a fill containing generally cylindrically or spherical shaped bore. The sleeve provides temperature resistant and reflection properties. Electrodes positioned either internally or externally of the lamp body are provided for producing radio frequency energy that excite the fill contained in the bore of the inner sleeve to form a plasma light source of intense heat. The light thus generated by the plasma in a relatively large volume is constrained to exit through a small aperture at either one, or both, ends of the apparatus.

Abstract: A fluorescent printer head capable of being subject to dynamic driving to reduce the number of ICs required. A shield electrode is provided between anode arrays having anode dots arranged in an offset manner and control electrodes are respectively arranged for the anode arrays. The anode arrays are subject to dynamic driving and selected by the control electrodes. Such construction of the fluorescent printer head ensures smooth selection of the anode arrays during the dynamic driving. Also, it eliminates non-uniformity in luminance of the anode dots of the anode arrays and accomplishes downsizing of the printer head and a reduction in manufacturing cost thereof due to a reduction in the number of ICs required.

Abstract: A flat planar fluorescent lamp having barrier structures overlaying the electrodes is described. The barrier structures include barrier walls and platforms between the electrodes and the lamp cover with passageways between the platforms and the lamp cover. The barrier structures cause the electric discharge between the lamp electrodes to pass between the platforms and the lamp cover. The interior of the lamp and the top of the platform are coated with a fluorescent material such that the lamp produces light throughout its interior, including the region directly above the electrode, thereby providing a source of light in an area which would otherwise be a dark region surrounding the electrode. In one embodiment, a cold electrode, a hot electrode, an ion barrier, and a tubulation are formed in a glass seal as a single unit, placing the terminals of the electrodes and the tipped-off tubulation in a small region of the lamp to permit easier access and alignment.

Abstract: A low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp according to the invention is provided with a discharge vessel having a tubular portion and a first and a second end portion. The discharge vessel encloses a discharge space provided with a filling of mercury and a rare gas in a gastight manner. Each end portion supports an electrode which is arranged in the discharge space. Current supply conductors extend from the electrodes through the end portions to outside the discharge vessel. The tubular portion of the discharge vessel is provided with a metal oxide layer on a surface which faces the discharge space. The first and the second end portion are also provided with metal oxide layers at surfaces which face the discharge space. The lamp according to the invention has a comparatively low mercury consumption.

Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent lamp comprises a discharge vessel (10) having a re-entrant portion (11) for housing a solenoid (12) for initiating a discharge in the vessel by means of an RF electromagnetic field. A primary amalgam (18) for releasing mercury vapor is placed at the tip of an exhaust tube (17) where the primary amalgam can be maintained at a suitable temperature for controlling the mercury vapor pressure. The primary amalgam does not provide rapid run-up of light output. To provide rapid run-up of light output a pied of indium (20,30) is placed on the re-entrant at a position where it is rapidly heated by the discharge. The indium may be coated with the layers of a coating including phosphor.

Abstract: A low-pressure mercury vapour discharge lamp according to the invention comprises a radiation-transmitting, glass discharge vessel which encloses a discharge space in a gastight manner and which is provided with a filling of mercury and a rare gas. The lamp in addition comprises means for maintaining an electrical discharge in the discharge space. An intermediate layer which repels alkali metals and which is made of, for example, silicon oxide lies on a surface of the discharge vessel facing towards the discharge space, which intermediate layer supports a protective layer of at least an oxide of at least one element from the series formed by magnesium, aluminium, titanium, zirconium, and the rare earths, this protective layer being substantially free from particles greater than 1 .mu.m. The lamp according to the invention has a comparatively low mercury consumption.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp includes a lamp tube having first and second ends and containing fill materials for causing light generation when provided with electrical power. The lamp further includes first and second power-transferring means at the first and second ends of the lamp tube, respectively, for providing the fill materials in the lamp tube with electrical power. Also included is a thermal heat shield separating the first power-transferring means from ballast circuitry which supplies power to the first power-transferring means and which has a lifetime that becomes substantially less as its operating temperature increases. The thermal heat shield is constructed so that it reflects back to the first power-transferring means and any adjacent portion of the lamp tube sufficient radiant energy to reduce the operating temperature of the ballast circuitry by more than about one degree Celsius compared with the absence of the heat shield.

Abstract: A picture display device for driving a layer of an electro-optical material by exploiting a plasma for selecting a picture. The device includes a first substrate having a plurality of first electrodes arranged in parallel to one another, a second substrate having a plurality of parallel second electrodes extending perpendicularly to the first electrodes, a dielectric sheet provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, a plurality of barrier ribs provided on the second substrate to from a plurality of plasma channels between neighboring second electrodes, an electro-optical layer provided between the first substrate and the dielectric sheet, an ionizable gas sealed between the second substrate and the dielectric sheet, and a plurality of insulating layers formed on the second electrode, with each insulating layer being formed on a part of the second electrode. There is also disclosed a method for manufacturing the plasma display device.

Abstract: A low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp (10) includes a tubularly-shaped envelope (12) sealed at each end with a stem assembly (14). A fluorescent coating (26) is disposed on the interior surface of the envelope (12) and an electric discharge sustaining fill gas is provided within a hollow interior (24) of the envelope (12). Each stem assembly (14) includes a glass base portion (30) which seals the end of the envelope (12), an electrode (16), and a tubularly-shaped, light-transmissive, glass shield (22). The electrode (16) is disposed within the envelope (12) such that an electric discharge occurs between the electrodes (16) upon operation of the lamp (10). The glass shield (22) extends past the electrode (16) to partially surround the electrode (16) and shield the interior surface of the envelope (12) from material ejected from the electrode (16). The glass shield (22) allows the electric discharge to unaffectedly pass through an open end (42).

Abstract: A novel electrode unit includes a plurality of linear cathodes and a plurality of flat-shaped electrodes. Each of the electrodes has a plurality of identification holes. The relative positional relationship of the identification holes is uniform with regard to each of the electrodes. However, the positions of the identification holes are shifted from those of adjacent electrodes by a predetermined interval so that a line connecting centers of the ID holes is parallel or perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the linear cathodes when the electrodes are piled up and evenly aligned. The identification holes allow the electrodes to be accurately positioned with respect to each other when assembling the electrodes into the electrode unit. Each of the electrodes also includes a temporary fixing part at an area indented from an outer circumference of the electrode. During assembly of an electrode unit, the temporary fixing part is fixed to a temporary fixing part of an adjacent electrode via a spacer.

Abstract: A simple and effective technique for reducing an external magnet flux emitted from a driven inductor surrounded by an ionizable gaseous medium. This technique includes surrounding the inductor with at least one shielding conductive loop, terminating the shielding loop in a capacitive termination to resonate, and maintaining a resonant frequency of the capacitive termination in series with an inductance of the shielding loop below the predetermined driving frequency of the inductor.

Abstract: A flat planar fluorescent lamp having barrier structures overlaying the electrodes is described. The barrier structures include barrier walls and platforms between the electrodes and the lamp cover with passageways between the platforms and the lamp cover. The barrier structures cause the electric discharge between the lamp electrodes to pass between the platforms and the lamp cover. The interior of the lamp and the top of the platform are coated with a fluorescent material such that the lamp produces light throughout its interior, including the region directly above the electrode, thereby providing a source of light in an area which would otherwise be a dark region surrounding the electrode. In one embodiment, a cold electrode, a hot electrode, an ion barrier, and a tubulation are formed in a glass seal as a single unit, placing the terminals of the electrodes and the tipped-off tubulation in a small region of the lamp to permit easier access and alignment.

Abstract: A dual filament fluorescent lamp where the individual filaments are disposed along diameter lines of a fluorescent tube and are disposed on differing planes at differing heights within the tube with a predetermined separation between the tube filaments and the filaments being disposed in a perpendicular fashion when viewed from above. The primary filament is disposed above the secondary filament and it has a larger diameter that the secondary filament.

Abstract: A flat cold cathode fluorescent lamp include front and rear plates separated by spacers. A phosphor layer is formed on each upper side of a spacer in contact with a phosphor layer of the front plate, and an auxiliary electrode is provided lengthwise on each lower side of the spacer, thereby realizing uniformly luminous pictures.

Abstract: A planar fluorescent and electroluminescent lamp having two pairs of electrodes. Planar electrodes on an outer surface of the lamp create a plasma arc by capacitive coupling. The planar electrodes also cause embedded phosphor to emit light on the electroluminescent phenomena. In one embodiment, a second chamber is on top of the first chamber and light passes from a primary chamber through the second chamber, and is emitted by the lamp.

Abstract: A planar discharge plasma display device which can be easily manufactured and has low optical loss includes a front and a rear plate, a plurality of anode signal lines and cathode signal lines arranged in an X-Y matrix on the rear plate and insulated so as not to be exposed to a discharge space. Anodes and cathodes protrude from the anode signal lines and cathode signal lines, respectively, near the intersections of the anode signal lines and the cathode signal lines. Barrier ribs are stacked on the anode signal lines and lodged between the anode signal lines and the front plate.

Abstract: A low pressure gas discharge lamp (such as a fluorescent lamp) which includes a wire mesh grid disposed within the lamp envelope so as to intercept the electrons flowing between the lamp electrodes. A lead wire extends from the grid to the outside of the lamp envelope, when the grid is provided with a negative voltage with respect to the surrounding plasma the lamp may switched off. The grid controlled lamp eliminates the need for a solid state power switch in the lamp driving circuitry. As such, the lamp current flows only through the lamp not through the electronic ballast/lamp driving circuitry. With the lamp current removed from the ballast circuitry, power dissipation problems in the driver circuitry is eliminated. The grid controlled lamp design greatly facilitates circuit design.

Abstract: A low pressure gas discharge lamp comprises an elongated tube filled with a discharge gas. An inner electrode is disposed in a first end portion of the tube and an outer electrode is formed on an outer surface of the tube. The outer electrode has a belt shaped portion formed on the outer surface of the tube along an axial direction of the tube between the first end portion and a second end portion of the tube and a ring shaped portion formed on the outer surface of the tube around the second end portion of the tube. The ring shaped portion is connected to the belt shaped portion. The discharge is generated between the inner electrode and the outer electrode. The ring shaped portion of the outer electrode prevents the discharge from shifting from a central axis of the tube, and thus makes the lamp have an even brightness distribution along the axis of the tube.

Abstract: A cold cathode mercury vapor discharge lamp includes a bulb, a support wire within the bulb, and a cathode electrode having a pair of V-shaped electrode portions mounted in spaced, end to end relationship along the support wire. The electrodes include exterior surfaces facing towards the bulb walls, and interior surfaces facing towards the support wire. Getters are mounted on the exterior surfaces, and mercury discharge units are mounted on the interior surfaces. The two electrode portions are non-overlapping along the support wire.

Abstract: A low-pressure mercury vapour discharge lamp having a tungsten coil electrode which is supported at either end by a respective current supply wire and which has emitter-coated central turns and, on either side thereof, end turns which are free from emitter. Each of the current supply wire ends with adjoining end turns of the coil is surrounded by an electrically insulating sleeve, such as a glass tube, as a result of which the switching life of the lamp is considerably increased.

Abstract: A discharge tube includes a pair of electrode devices mounted within a discharge tube body in an opposed relation to each other, each of the pair of electrode devices including an arc discharge electrode and a glow discharge electrode. An electron-radiating substance vaporized and emitted in a scattered manner from the arc discharge electrode is captured by the glow discharge electrode. The arc discharge electrode is composed of a sintered body containing the electron-radiating substance therein.

Abstract: In a fluorescent lamp, a curved discharge path is constituted by a plurality of bulbs and a cap interconnecting end portions of the bulbs. Terminal electrodes are provided at end portions of the bulbs, which are situated at both ends of the discharge path. An intermediate electrode is arranged within the cap. A voltage is applied selectively between the intermediate electrode and the terminal electrodes, thereby selectively enabling the bulbs to emit light. The bulbs may have apertures having different widths and positions. Different types of phosphor layers may be formed on the inner surfaces of the bulbs, thereby selectively emitting light of different wavelengths.

Abstract: A plasma display device comprises two plates defining a gas filled space therebetween, striped anodes and cathodes, wherein the cathodes are composed of a first cathode element and a second cathode element, and a sealing layer. The second cathode is formed on said first cathode element. The sealing layer is formed between the cathodes to prevent the first element from being exposed to the gas filled space. The device forms a high-quality picture by minimizing the difference in luminance between pixels.

Abstract: In a fluorescent lamp, an elongated envelope containing, e.g., an Argon gas is sealed by covering each end with a stem. Through this stem, a pair of leading-in wires are introduced into the interior of the envelope, such that those portions of the leading-in wires which are located inside the envelope constitute internal wire portions. A filament coil, which has an emitter coated thereon in a predetermined range, is supported between the internal wire portions. An auxiliary anode, which is connected at one end to each internal wire portion, extends inside the envelope in the discharge direction of the fluorescent lamp. The auxiliary anode is bent such that its distal end is located within the emitter-coated range, as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the filament coil, and is located close to the central axis of the discharge space, as viewed in the radial direction of the filament coil.

Abstract: A negative glow fluorescent lamp includes a light-transmissive envelope enclosing a fill material which emits ultraviolet radiation upon excitation, a phosphor coating on an inner surface of the envelope, the phosphor coating emitting visible light upon absorption of ultraviolet radiation, a cathode located within the envelope for emitting electrons, first and second cathode leads extending through the envelope, an anode located in the envelope and spaced from the cathode for collecting electrons and first and second diodes coupled between opposite ends of the anode and the first and second cathode leads, respectively. The glow lamp can include one or more insulating discharge barriers which surround the cathode and block electron bombardment of the cathode during positive half cycles of the AC voltage. The discharge barriers are preferably as large in area as is practical and can be coated with an ultraviolet-reflecting material or with a phosphor layer.

Abstract: A negative glow fluorescent lamp includes a light-transmissive envelope enclosing a fill material which emits ultraviolet radiation upon excitation, a phosphor coating on an inner surface of the envelope, the phosphor coating emitting visible light upon absorption of ultraviolet radiation, a cathode located within the envelope for emitting electrons, first and second cathode leads extending through the envelope, an anode located in the envelope and spaced from the cathode for collecting electrons and first and second diodes coupled between opposite ends of the anode and the first and second cathode leads, respectively. The glow lamp can include one or more insulating discharge barriers which surround the cathode and block electron bombardment of the cathode during positive half cycles of the AC voltage. The discharge barriers are preferably as large in area as is practical and can be coated with an ultraviolet-reflecting material or with a phosphor layer.

Abstract: A conductive link maintains the electrode of a fluorescent lamp and a conductive electrode guard at the same electrical potential to reduce lamp power dissipation. The conductive link is a bimetal strip arranged for electrically connecting an electrode lead-in with the electrode guard or electrode guard support upon heating by the discharge arc during lamp operation.

Abstract: The electrodeless low-pressure discharge lamp comprises a discharge vessel (1) having an inwardly extending protuberance (2) and an evacuated outer bulb (5) having a protuberance (6) projecting into the protuberance (2). A soft magnetic body (3) is arranged in the protuberance (6). It is a heat-resistant envelope (22) and is surrounded by an electrical coil (4) outside the envelope (22).

Abstract: A conductive link maintains the electrode of a fluorescent lamp and a conductive electrode guard at the same electrical potential to reduce lamp power dissipation. The conductive link may be a fuse wire to protect the lamp ballast from excessive current upon electrode failure and shorting to the electrode guard.

Abstract: Improved ease of starting at room temperature while maintaining high efficacy and good color rendition at white color temperatures is achieved in an electrodeless metal halide high intensity discharge lamp wherein a mercury-free combination of arc tube fill materials may include sodium iodide with or without cerium halide, and either krypton or argon as a starting gas.

Abstract: A beam mode discharge lamp typically has a shortcoming in that emitted light is reduced due to the deposition of cathode material on the phosphor surface. Such deposition can be reduced through the addition of a conductive mesh about the filaments to entrap cathode material and inhibit same from attacking the phosphor material.

Abstract: A cathode is arranged at one end of an envelope of a fluorescent lamp, and a plurality of anodes are arranged at the other end. A discharge path-forming structure is disposed between the cathode and anodes. The structure comprises a vessel having an open end at the position adjacent to the anodes and an inner space, and also comprises a dividing element for dividing the inner space into a plurality of divided discharge paths each including a corresponding anode. A fluorescent material layer is coated on the inner surface of the vessel in a manner whereby the lamp generates different color light beams.

Abstract: A write device for an optical printer capable of determining intervals between luminous dots and inclination and dimensions of the luminous dots with high precision to improve printing quality of a printer. The write head includes luminous dots defined on each of a plurality rows of anodes. The luminous dots arranged obliquely across the row of the anodes are driven to emit lights which are uninterruptedly linearly irradiated together in a direction perpendicular to a direction of movement of a record medium on a surface of a record medium. The write head also includes an electro-optical shutter which is arranged in front of the obliquely arranged luminous dots and adapted to be varied in optical characteristics in synchronism with an emission driving signal supplied to the anodes to selectively shield or transmit light emitted from each of the luminous dots.

Abstract: Improved efficacy and color rendition at white color temperatures is achieved in an electrodeless metal halide arc discharge lamp with a novel combination of arc tube fill materials, including sodium halide, cerium halide, and xenon. A preferred lamp structural configuration imparts further efficacy improvement at higher lamp operating temperatures and isothermal lamp operation.

Abstract: The low-pressure sodium discharge lamp according to the invention has a U-shaped discharge tube (1) with seals (4, 5), through which current-supply conductors (6, 7) extend to electrodes (8, 9). A supporting member (14) fixes the discharge tube (1) in an outer bulb (10). Upright collars (18, 19) at the supporting member (14), which surround the seals (4, 5) throughout their lengths, prevent the discharge tube from becoming leaky at high-frequency operation and the lamp from reaching the end of its life prematurely.

Abstract: A grounding device for a fluorescent lamp of the type having a tubular envelope with electrodes at the ends between which an electric discharge occurs. Radiation shields around the electrodes prevent emission of electrode radiation from the lamp and a grounding element connects the shields to the ground.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp includes a bulb defining a discharge channel, and a pair of discharge electrodes provided at both ends of the bulb. Each electrode has a pair of leads, a filament mounted between the leads, and rod-like auxiliary electrodes protruding from the leads, respectively. Each auxiliary electrode extends beyond the filament in the electron discharge direction of the discharge electrodes. Each auxiliary electrode is constructed so as to satisfy the following equation Q/I.sub.L .gtoreq.1.0.times.10.sup.-2, where Q is heat capacity of the auxiliary electrode and I.sub.L is lamp current.

Abstract: A dual cathode structure for a fluorescent lamp comprises a pair of electron emissive cathodes which are connected with a common junction and mounted to have an included angle therebetween. The first of the pair of cathodes has first and second leads coupled to an external source of electrical current and the second cathode structure has a first terminal coupled to the first cathode at a common junction and an anode flag connected to its second terminal to collect electrons when the filaments are operating in the anode half cycle. The collected electrons pass through the second cathode. The availability of the second cathode prolongs lamp life by permitting shifting of the hot spot.

Abstract: An optical write device is disclosed which is capable of being driven according to a dynamic drive system. The device uses, as an optical printer head, a vacuum fluorescent tube which includes a plurality of stripe-like anode conductors arranged on a substrate, a plurality of control electrodes formed with slits extending obliquely across the anode conductors and phosphor layers deposited on the anode conductors and defined by the slits to form luminous dots. The device is adapted to successively scan the anode conductors in a such manner that one scanning of the anode conductors is completed while a photosensitive drum is moved by a distance corresponding to a height of the luminous dot.

Abstract: A cylindrical shield is affixed to the opposed marginal terminal end portions of a fluorescent light tube. The shields each include a layer of metallic substance which intersects X-rays emitted by the cathode of the tube to avoid the harmful effects that are brought about by the X-rays impinging upon people located nearby.

Abstract: A discharge lamp of non-linear configuration employs a solid wire, internal starting aid and a mount which includes a third lead-in wire whereby the starting aid can be electrically connected into a circuit.

Abstract: A discharge lamp having a sealed glass vessel filled with gas and a metal vapor, operated with a supply at a frequency of at least 20 kHz. An interference-suppressing conductive layer is arranged on a wall surface surrounding the discharge, and connected to an electric supply lead-in wire. Preferably, a plurality of insulated metal rings, on the outside of the wall, also surround the discharge.

Abstract: A mercury dispenser for electric discharge lamps consists of welding a small metallic member (16) in the form of a "patch", to a portion of the surface of the cathode disintegration shield (10) and trapping a predetermined volume of mercury under the "patch". A dimple (17) may be formed in the shield (10) or in the member (16). The shield (10) may be formed from a continuous strip which is dimpled at a predetermined pitch, the dimples filled with mercury and the "patches" (16) welded over the dimples. The strip can then be cut into discrete "patched" sections to be bent into shields and assembled with the cathode structure. The mercury is liberated from under the "patch" by heating and vaporization, the vapor pressure forcing the "patch" open.

Abstract: An arc-extinguishing ampul and a low-pressure arc discharge lamp, such as a fluorescent lamp, having such ampul on each electrode structure, the ampul comprising a thin-walled glass body enclosing an arc-extinguishing gas, at least one electrically conductive support wire, and a heat-conductive coating covering the outer surface of the ampul and portions of the support wire. Upon depletion of the electron-emissive coating on one electrode filament at the end of the useful life of the lamp, the arc discharge is attracted to the ampul by the support wire. The heat of the arc softens and melts the ampul to the point where the arc-extinguishing gas within the ampul escapes and renders the lamp inoperable without loss of the lamp's hermetic seal.

Abstract: An energy saving fluorescent lamp includes an elongated envelope having an interior coating with phosphor and an ionizable fill material, hermetically sealed end walls, an operating electrode affixed inwardly of each end wall and a starting electrode spaced at a lesser distance from each end wall with an electron shielding means adjacent a portion of the starting electrode and intermediate thereto and the operating electrode whereby a reduction in long wattage use is effected.

Abstract: A cost-reduced fluorescent lamp having an electrically conductive first layer carried on the inner surface of a vitreous envelope and an electrically non-conductive second layer carried on the electrically conductive first layer. The electrically non-conductive second layer is a mixture of very finely-divided aluminum oxide and finely-divided titanium dioxide in predetermined relative weight ratio.

Abstract: A starting aid for a fluorescent lamp is formed from a metallized, insulating tape carrying an adhesive on the metallized surface. An integral coupling impedance is formed on one end of the starting aid by an adhesive backed insulating tape which is attached to a metal foil. The metal foil carries a connecting wire which is attached to one of the lead-in wires of the lamp. The lead-in wire potential is thus capacitively coupled to the metallized layer of the starting aid.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp comprising a glass envelope contains a mixed gas of a mercury gas and at least one kind selected from neon, xenon and krypton or a mixture of said mixed gas and argon. A transparent electroconductive film is formed on the inner surface of said glass envelope; an aluminum oxide film is formed on said transparent electroconductive film, and a phosphor film is formed on the aluminum oxide film, in which an amount of the deposit of said aluminum oxide film per unit deposition area is equal to or greater than 2.6.times.10.sup.-2 mg/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: A low pressure gas discharge lamp is provided with a pair of high power incandescent electrodes to increase output illumination at the lamp ends. In an alternate construction, the electrodes are of high power, low emissivity and are electrically connected to a second pair of high emissivity electrodes which provide the means for enabling the mercury discharge. With this second construction, the low emissivity electrodes can act as ballast for the circuit.