Abstract: A non-electrode discharge lamp apparatus comprises a discharge tube, exciting coils wound on an outer periphery of the discharge tube, a vessel, having liquid-tightness, containing the discharge tube and the exciting coil means, and lead line guiding means for guiding lead lines connected to the exciting coils to the outside of the vessel, thereby supplying high frequency electric power to the exciting coils through the lead lines. Liquid is prevented from directly contacting the discharge tube and the exciting coils, temperature of the discharge tube can be suitably maintained, and an irradiation efficiency of ultraviolet rays can be prevented from being reduced.

Abstract: A device for operation of a discharge lamp in which a dielectric barrier discharge lamp can discharge with high efficiency. A discharge lamp of the outside electrode type, a dielectric barrier discharge excimer lamp type, or the like, is operated by applying a lamp voltage of 1 kV to 10 kV with a periodic waveform by an operation circuit. In this lamp, within bulb including a dielectric, at least one type of rare gas is hermetically enclosed in a given amount. A dielectric barrier is located between at least one electrode and the gas, and a discharge is produced in the bulb via this dielectric barrier. The rise time or fall time of a waveform which represents a main energy supply time in the periodic waveform, is fixed at greater than or equal to 0.03 .mu.s and less than or equal to 9 .mu.s. Furthermore, the distance between the waveform which represents the main energy supply and a adjacent waveform which represents an adjacent main energy supply is greater than or equal to 3.4 .mu.s.

Abstract: A radiation source, in particular a discharge lamp suitable for operating a dielectrically hindered pulsed discharge by means of a ballast, has at st one electrode separated by dielectric material from the inside of the discharge vessel. By appropriately designing at least one of the electrodes and/or the dielectric material, local field reinforcement areas are created, so that during the pulsed mode of operation one or more dielectrically hindered individual discharges are generated exclusively in these areas, maximum one individual discharge being generated in each area. These areas are obtained in particular by shortening the spacing in locally limited areas, for example by providing on one of the electrodes hemispherical projections which extend towards the counter-electrode. This measure achieves a timestable discharge structure with a high useful radiation effectiveness uniformly distributed throughout the discharge vessel.

Abstract: A metal halide lamp of the present invention has a ceramic discharge tube and a proximity conductor disposed adjacent to the ceramic discharge tube.

Abstract: A noble gas discharge lamp of the present invention comprises an outer enclosure comprising a light emitting layer formed therein, and a pair of outer electrodes having tape shapes comprising a metal, which are adhered to the entire length of the outside of the outer enclosure so as to separate one outer electrode and the other outer electrode at a certain distance. The electrodes form a first opening portion and a second opening portion; wherein the outer enclosure is filled with at least one kind of noble gas under the confining pressure is in a range of 83 to 200 Torr. There is at least one nonlinear portion formed at at least one side portion of the outer electrodes.

Abstract: A noble gas discharge lamp of the present invention comprises an outer enclosure comprising a light emitting layer formed therein, and a pair of outer electrodes having tape shapes comprise a metal, which are adhered to the entire length of the outside of the outer enclosure so as to separate one outer electrode and the other outer electrode at a certain distance, and to form a first opening portion and a second opening portion; wherein the thickness of the outer enclosure is in a range of 0.2 to 0.7 mm, and at least one nonlinear portion is formed at at least one the side portion of the outer electrodes.

Abstract: There is provided a fluorescent lamp comprising a tubular glass bulb, an internal electrode provided at the center of the tubular glass bulb, a fluorescent layer formed on an inner surface of the tubular bulb, and an external electrode provided on an outer surface of the tubular glass bulb, said tubular glass bulb being charged with a rare gas containing xenon as a main ingredient, wherein the charged pressure of the rare gas is 100 to 300 torr, the inner diameter of the tubular glass bulb is 4 to 12 mm and the thickness of the tubular glass bulb is 0.4 to 1.2 mm. As a result, lighting voltage is greatly reduced, whereby the charged pressure of the rare gas can be increased, thereby making it possible to improve illuminance.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp (1) includes a tubular glass bulb (2), an internal electrode (5) within the tubular glass bulb (2), a fluorescent layer (4) formed on an inner surface of the glass bulb (2), an external electrode (3) provided on an outer surface of the glass bulb (2), and a covering glass tube (6) is disposed over the total length of the internal electrode (5). The fluorescent lamp (1) further includes a fluorescent layer (7) disposed on the outer surface of the glass tube (6). The fluorescent lamp (1), as configured above, makes it unnecessary to form the internal electrode into a coil, and absorbs the difference in thermal expansion coefficients. This prevents the internal electrode (5) from resonating with vibrations from the outside and prevents contact of the fluorescent layer (4) by the internal electrode (5).

Abstract: A discharge lamp includes a lamp tube containing a noble gas, two internal electrodes, and a secondary electrode disposed outside and close to the surface of the lamp tube. In one embodiment, studs are disposed on the lamp tube so as to affix the secondary electrode. In an alternate embodiment, a reflector includes an indentation pointing toward the lamp tube and configured as the secondary ignition wire.

Abstract: A high efficiency lamp apparatus for producing a light beam of polarized light includes an electrodeless lamp body that defines a chamber. A gas is contained within the chamber such as sulfur or selenium or a compound thereof that can be excited to form a plasma. Electrodes are positioned externally of the lamp chamber for producing radio frequency energy that excites the gas, forming a plasma light source of intense heat that emits a light beam. Electrodes are not subjected to the intense heat generated by the plasma as they are placed externally of the lamp body. A reflector is positioned next to the lamp body for redirecting some of the light emitted by the light source back to the lamp using the reflector so that the lamp reabsorbs light energy to intensify the light source. The reflector includes a polarizing filter that is positioned to receive and polarize the light beam. An insulator prevents heat intensity of the plasma from damaging the polarizing filter as it has a low operating temperature range.

Abstract: An electrodeless gas discharge lamp assembly (10) includes a light-transmitting envelope (12) having an illumination gas (14) sealed therein. An induction coil (24) is disposed about the envelope (12) and is operative when driven to excite the gas (14) to inductive discharge illumination. The coil (24) and envelope (12) are prepared as separate components. The coil (24) has an inner circumference which is initially smaller in dimension than a fixed outer circumference of the envelope (12). The two are assembled by extending the envelope (12) into the coil (24). The envelope (12) expands the inner circumference of the coil (24) to the size of the envelope (12), achieving a constricted, intimate contact of the coil (24) about the envelope (12) and assuring that the flux lines generated by the coil (24) will pass through the envelope (12) and act on the gas (14).

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp includes a tubular glass bulb, an internal electrode provided substantially along the central axis of the tubular glass bulb, a fluorescent layer provided on the inner surface of the tubular glass bulb, and an external electrode provided on the outer surface of the tubular glass bulb, wherein the internal electrode, having a coiled shape, is laid in the tubular glass bulb with an appropriate tension. According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a sag in the internal electrode from occurring due to a difference in coefficient of thermal expansion between the tubular glass bulb and a metallic member forming the internal electrode, and to prevent either the tubular glass bulb or the internal electrode from being broken because of an excessive stress, thereby overcoming the problem concerning such type of fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: The efficiency of a horizontally operated arc discharge lamp has been found to be substantially improved by the application of a transverse magnetic field. The magnetic field moves the arc downward, away from the upper wall of the lamp envelope. The magnetic field moves the arc so that the outer mantel that otherwise would make contact with side walls of the envelope stand away from the envelope wall. With the arc withdrawn from the wall, less energy is lost in heating the envelope, resulting in more energy be directed to the emission of light.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for operating a lighting system with an ncoherently-emitting radiation source, in particular a discharge lamp (14) that emits UV, IR or visible-range radiation, by means of dielectrically inhibited discharge, and to a lighting system suitable therefor. The electrodes (16-20), which are arranged side by side and separated from each other and the interior of the discharge vessel (15) by dielectric material (21), are alternatingly connected to the two poles (23, 24) of a voltage source (27). In operation, the voltage source (27) supplies a series of voltage pulses separated by quiescent periods. According to the invention, this produces inside the discharge vessel (15) a spatial discharge (26) which in the regions between electrodes of different polarity (16, 17; 17, 18; 18, 19; 19, 20) is at a distance from the surface of the inside wall of the discharge vessel (15).

Abstract: An electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp includes an electrodeless lamp capsule having an enclosed volume containing a mixture of starting gas and chemical dopant material excitable by high frequency power to a state of luminous emission, an applicator for coupling high frequency power to the lamp capsule, a gas nozzle directed toward the lamp capsule and a gas controller coupled to the gas nozzle. The gas controller receives gas from a gas source and supplies a gas puff of limited duration to the lamp capsule through the gas nozzle in response to termination of the state of luminous emission. The lamp capsule is rapidly cooled by the gas puff to a temperature required for restart.

Abstract: A discharge lamp may be formed with both galvanic and dielectric electrod The relative discharges due to the currents between the differing electrodes may be adjusted to effect the optical spectrum of the radiation emitted by the lamp.

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: An electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp includes a light-transmissive arc tube for containing a plasma arc discharge, the arc tube having a top and a bottom and a side wall with a fill disposed therein. The fill includes at least one metal halide and a buffer gas. The arc tube has a wall with an interior surface having an annular region around the central extent of the side wall. The interior surface of the arc tube wall is smooth over the majority of its extent but has a liquid-stabilizing roughened surface in the annular region.

Abstract: There is provided a fluorescent lamp comprising a tubular glass bulb, a fluorescent layer formed on an inner surface of the tubular glass, an external electrode provided on an outer surface of the tubular glass bulb, and an internal electrode provided on the inner surface of the tubular glass bulb, wherein the internal electrode formed from a conductive member is fixed on the inner surface of the tubular glass bulb by a glass having a low melting point to be in close contact with the inner surface of the tubular glass bulb. This makes it possible to arrange the tubular glass bulb and the internal electrode which have different thermal expansion coefficients without any problem due to resonance with vibration.

Abstract: Since the internal electrode of a fluorescent lamp comprises a base portion made from a transparent glass member having substantially the same thermal expansion coefficient as that of a tubular glass bulb and shaped like a pipe or rod and a conductive and transparent film formed on the surface of the base portion, the thermal expansion coefficient of the internal electrode is made equal to that of the tubular glass bulb to prevent damage caused by temperature variations, and the entire internal electrode 4 is transparent so that all the beams from the fluorescent film can be radiated to the outside without being shaded.

Abstract: An electrodeless lamp comprises an envelope containing a fill and a substance for facilitating the starting of the lamp. An outer tube is secured to an outside portion of the envelope in proximity to the given region and an inner tube is disposed within the outer tube such that a fluid passageway is defined between an inner surface of the outer tube and an outer surface of the inner tube. A hollow retractable electrode is provided within the inner tube, the electrode having a first position in which its tip portion is in proximity to the given region of the envelope when the lamp is being started and a second position in which the tip portion is away from the envelope after the lamp is started. A source of cooling fluid is operably connected to the hollow electrode such that the cooling fluid is forced through the hollow electrode and exhausted through the fluid passageway.

Abstract: There is provided an aperture type fluorescent lamp comprising a tubular bulb, an electrode, and a fluorescent layer formed on an inner surface of said tubular bulb in an axial direction of the tubular bulb, an aperture portion provided in said fluorescent layer along the axial direction of the tubular bulb so as to be made the aperture portion as a radiation portion, wherein said aperture portion comprises an aperture portion fluorescent layer having a thickness smaller than the fluorescent layer of other portions. The fluorescent lamp according to the present invention makes it possible to eliminate nonuniformitiy in illuminance.

Abstract: A control and starting device for fluorescent tubes powered by an electrical circuit via two electrodes, the device includes a loaded polymer part provided adjacent to the tube and used as a ballast providing starting and proper operation control functions for the tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluorescent lamp of the external electrode type and an irradiation unit using this fluorescent lamp. In a fluorescent lamp of the external electrode type, a glass tube with fluorescent material applied to its inside is hermetically filled with a suitable amount of rare gas, in the axial direction of the outside surface of the glass tube there is at least one pair of electrodes, and on the side which is opposite the aperture for emission of the light to the outside there is reflector material. The electrodes are at least partially translucent, and the reflector material is located in these translucent regions. In this way the electrostatic capacity of the lamp is not significantly reduced even if the electrodes are partially provided with translucent regions. The energy input into the lamp thus has a value which would be obtained essentially even if the translucent regions were absent.

Abstract: The invention relates to an excimer lamp with a discharge chamber which holds a halogen-containing filling gas forming excimers under discharge conditions. Known excimer lamps have only a short burning life. In order to provide an excimer lamp with a long burning life, it is proposed according to the invention that the halogen content of the discharge chamber be a minimum of 1.times.10.sup.-10 mol/cm.sup.3 volume of the discharge chamber per cm.sup.2 of the discharge chamber interior surface area. To manufacture such a long-life excimer lamp, the interior surfaces of the discharge chamber may be treated with a halogen-containing passivating gas prior to filling in the filling gas or the required amount of halogen can be included in the filing gas.

Abstract: In the fluorescent lamp of the present invention, a fluorescent layer and a reflection layer are formed on an inner surface of a tubular glass bulb such that the reflection layer is formed between the glass bulb and the fluorescent layer, and the open angle of opening portions formed in the fluorescent layer and the refection layer is made smaller than that formed in the external electrode. Thereby, reflection efficiency is improved, thereby making it possible to increase the amount of light with the same power consumption. Since the independent reflection layer is formed and the external electrode does not need to serve as a reflector, flexibility is given to the setting of the area of the external electrode, whereby power consumption is set freely.

Abstract: A gas discharge illumination device is prepared by encapsulating ionizable gas within microporous or nanoscale sealed cavities created within a matrix material. Upon exposure of said matrix material to an electric field, the ionizable gas becomes ionized and emits light. By incorporating several different ionizable gases into one matrix material, a display with different colors of light can be produced. The gas discharge illumination device can be fabricated by a variety of techniques including selective cavity formation with overcoating taking place in an ionizable gas ambient, and bubbling ionizable gas through the matrix material while it is in viscous form. The gas discharge illumination device can be used to form either active or passive displays, as a sensor for detecting electric fields, and in other applications.

Abstract: There is provided an improved fluorescent lamp comprising a tubular glass bulb, an internal electrode provided inside of said tubular glass bulb, a fluorescent layer provided on an inner surface of said tubular glass bulb, an external electrode having an opening portion and provided on an outer surface of said tubular glass bulb, and a heat radiation sheet fitly provided on said tubular glass bulb, in which a temperature rise in the glass bulb caused by heat generated by discharge at the time of lighting is inhibited by the heat radiation function of the heat radiation sheet and a reduction in the illuminance caused thereby can also be inhibited.

Abstract: An electrodeless light bulb assembly having a standard light bulb base located at one end of an extruded cylindrical heat sink including a set of elongated fins extending radially outward from an annular inner body portion. An electrodeless light bulb, excitation coil, and transparent cover for the bulb are located at the other end of the heat sink. A solid state electrodeless lamp driver circuit is thermally coupled to the heat sink and is located in a hollow inner space region formed by the inner body portion. The annular inner body portion also includes at least one but preferably a plurality of boiler/condenser heat pipes located around its periphery for thermally coupling the heat from excitation coil and the driver to the fins where heat is transferred to the air via natural convection. The excitation coil can be formed from a length of conventional electrical conductor or it can be formed from a length of heat pipe connected at one end to the driver and at the other end to the heat sink.

Abstract: EMI suppression in electrodeless discharge lamps by inward RF-reflectance from the enclosure walls (12) of 90%+ and use of an absorber (16) of RF power having an absorption coefficient greater than 40%, a transmission coefficient less than e.sup.-3, and an effective area facing the interior of the enclosure between 5% and 40% of the area of the RF-reflective light transmissive enclosure.

Abstract: An electrodeless lamp apparatus of high efficiency employs a reflection system that allows the lamp to reabsorb light energy. The energy is redirected back to the light to provide increased system efficiency. The redirected light is of the wrong polarization and/or wrong parts of the color spectrum. The lamp efficiency is increased because of the optical pumping as well as the reuse (after some downshifting) of the returned light. In one embodiment, a projection system provides an image source or projection engine that includes the improved high efficiency lamp of the present invention.

Abstract: To retain a discharge vessel 1, a groove 12 is formed in a re-entrant portion 3 of the vessel. The grooves 12 engages a corresponding notch 13 in a coil former of a coil assembly 6, housed in the re-entrant. The coil former is sufficiently resilient to be deflected by the groove as the vessel 1 is pushed onto the former. The arrangement may have means to prevent the vessel rotating about the coil assembly.

Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent lamp having a lamp envelope with an inner phosphor coating and containing a fill capable of sustaining a discharge when suitably excited by an electric field includes an electrically conductive coating on the exterior of the lamp envelope. The electrically conductive coating is also light transmissive and is effective for confining the electric field to within the lamp envelope.

Abstract: A light source device in which the radiated light from the dielectric barrier discharge lamp can always be stabilized even if the discharge vessel of the dielectric barrier discharge lamp is large or the load on the tube wall within the discharge vessel is small. This is achieved according to the invention by the provision of a light source device having a discharge lamp which has a generally cylindrical, coaxial double-tube arrangement of an outer tube and an inner tube, in which there is an outer electrode on the outer tube, in which there is an inner electrode on the inner tube, and in which a discharge space between the inner and outer tubes is filled with a discharge gas for formation of excimer molecules by a dielectric barrier discharge, and of a power source for operating this discharge lamp in accordance with the relationship: Vs/Vp.ltoreq.0.5 where Vs is the starting voltage and Vp is the voltage applied to the discharge lamp during steady-state luminous operation.

Abstract: An electrode for an external electrode fluorescent lamp. The lamp has intensity striations. The electrode has a periodic non-uniform area sufficient to cause a periodic non-uniformity in the electric field between two electrodes. The non-uniformity of the electric field is sufficient to prevent wandering of the striations. The striations have a range of pitch. The pitch of the area in the electrode is within the range of pitch of the intensity striations. Examples of non-uniform areas include serrated or sinusoidal edges and circumferential slits.

Abstract: To maintain the relative positional relationship between an inner tube and an inner electrode of a dielectric barrier discharge tube having a roughly cylindrical, double tube arrangement of an outer tube coaxially arranged about an inner tube with a discharge space defined therebetween, an outer electrode on an outer surface of the outer tube, an inner electrode on an inner surface of the inner tube, and a discharge gas which forms excimer molecules by a dielectric barrier discharge filling said discharge space, despite repeated expansion and contraction of the inner electrode due to the dielectric barrier discharge lamp being repeatedly turned on and off, according to the invention, the inner electrode is formed of a substantially tubular metal component or the like, and a motion preventing component is provided at opposite ends of the inner electrode for maintaining an axial position of the inner electrode relative to the inner tube.

Abstract: An electrodeless low-pressure discharge lamp is provided with a lamp vessel which is closed in a gastight manner, which surrounds a discharge space, and which contains a filling of mercury and rare gas. The lamp vessel has a cavity and a collar where the cavity is open towards the exterior, an electric coil being accommodated in the cavity and support with an amalgam being arranged in the discharge space. The collar is made of metal and the support of the amalgam is fastened to the collar. This construction counteracts degeneration of the amalgam.

Abstract: A fluorescent discharge lamp has two glow mode electrodes wound around it in a helical fashion. One circuit drives the main electrodes at opposite ends of the lamp at high levels of brightness. Another circuit drives the glow mode electrodes at low levels of brightness, at about 10MHz. At intermediate levels of brightness, both the main electrodes and the glow mode electrodes are driven, the two sets of electrodes being driven for alternate on and off periods with the glow mode electrodes being on when the main electrodes are off and the glow mode electrodes being off when the main electrodes are on.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical conductor for an optical system (M13) adapted to be stuck to a unit body (M11) for supporting a fluorescent lamp (M12). The electrical conductor (M13) includes: a base portion (M131) which is disposed in proximity to an outer peripheral surface of a glass tube (M121) of the fluorescent lamp (M12) such that mercury in the glass tube (M121) is diffusible, and which is opposite to the glass tube (M121) throughout the length thereof; and reflection portions (M132, M133) integrally formed with the base portion (M131).

Abstract: A plane optical source device used in a rear illuminating optical source of a liquid crystal display device or for general illuminance is provided. The plane optical source device includes a container having a front plate, a rear plate and side walls, the front plate being made of a transparent substance, for defining an airtight space for generating arc; a fluorescent layer formed on the inner surface of the front plate; a first electrode formed on the inner surface of the rear plate of container in a predetermined pattern, the first electrode being opposite to the fluorescent layer; and a second electrode formed on the outer surface of the rear plate, corresponding to the first electrode.

Abstract: An electrodeless inductively-coupled fluorescent lamp which operates at ro frequency comprising a bulbous envelope (1) filled with rare gas and metal vapor. A reentrant cavity (4) and an induction coil (6) are disposed in the cavity (4). The inner walls of the envelope (1) and the cavity (4) have a protective coating (3) and a phosphor coating (2). A metal Faraday cylinder (12) welded to the lamp base (13) is disposed between the cavity (4) and the coil (6) to reduce capacitive RF voltage between the coil and the plasma to improve lamp maintenance and remove heat. A tubulation (16) is disposed on the lamp axis to evacuate the envelope (1). The proximal end of the tubulation (16) has an expansion (20) with the volume (23) where the initial capacitive discharge is ignited.

Abstract: An electrodeless low-pressure discharge lamp (10) according to the invention is provided with a radiation-transmitting discharge vessel (11) which encloses a discharge space (14) containing an ionizable filling in a gastight manner. The lamp (10) is in addition provided with a first and a second winding (20, 23) for conducting a high-frequency current during operation. The first winding (20) extends along a longitudinal axis (29) in a cavity (28) surrounded by the discharge vessel (11). The second winding (23) is arranged along the longitudinal axis (29) in the extended direction of the first winding (20) outside the cavity (18) surrounded by the discharge vessel (11). During operation, the currents in the first and second windings (20, 23) have the same tangential direction relative to the longitudinal axis (29). The lamp causes comparatively little magnetic interference, while it is avoided that the second winding (23) hampers lamp ignition or causes an unstable lamp operation.

Abstract: Ignition of an electrodeless lamp, energized by microwave or radio frequency energy, is achieved by disposing an additive material in the lamp envelope along with the primary fill material. In a first embodiment, the additive is at least partially electrically conductive at room temperatures but non-conductive or a vapor at lamp operating temperatures. The preferred additives for this embodiment are mercury sulfide and mercury selenide. In a second embodiment, the additive is a material, such as piezoelectric crystals, that produces sparks in the envelope when the crystals collide with each other, or with other materials, in response to agitation of the envelope. The additive may alternatively build up electrostatic charge by rubbing along the interior surface of the lamp envelope when the envelope is agitated, the charge build up being sufficient to ignite the primary fill material.

Abstract: Ignition of an electrodeless lamp, energized by microwave or radio energy, is achieved by disposing an additive material in the lamp envelope along with the primary fill material. In a first embodiment, the additive is at least partially electrically conductive at room temperatures but non-conductive or a vapor at lamp operating temperatures. The preferred additives for this embodiment are mercury sulfide and mercury selenide. In a second embodiment, the additive is a material, such as piezoelectric crystals, that produces sparks in the envelope when the crystals collide with each other, or with other materials, in response to agitation of the envelope. The additive may alternatively build up electrostatic charge by rubbing along the interior surface of the lamp envelope when the envelope is agitated, the charge build up being sufficient to ignite the primary fill material.

Abstract: A display fluorescent lamp comprises; a dielectric cylindrical container having a large-diameter portion in which rare gas is sealed and a small-diameter portion which is almost coaxially connected with the large-diameter portion at one end of the large-diameter portion, the outside diameter thereof being smaller than that of the large-diameter portion; a light emitting portion which is formed at the other end of the large-diameter portion and has permeability; an internal electrode which is inserted into the cylindrical container from the other end of the small-diameter portion which is not connected with the large-diameter portion; a fluorescent substance layer formed on the inside face excluding that in which the light emitting portion is formed, of the large-diameter portion of the cylindrical container; and an external electrode formed on the outside face of the large-diameter portion excluding a portion in which the light emitting portion of the cylindrical container is formed, the length in the axial d

Abstract: A dielectric barrier discharge lamp having a generally cylindrical double-tube arrangement of an outer tube coaxially disposed about an inner tube, with an outer electrode disposed on an outside surface of the outer tube, an inner electrode disposed on an inside surface of the inner tube, and a discharge space provided between the outer tube and the inner tube which is filled with a discharge gas for formation of excimer molecules by dielectric barrier discharge achieves firm engagement of the inner electrode against the inner tube and a stable discharge over a long time even if part of the electrode corrodes due to the ozone produced or it wears. This is achieved by embodiments in which the inner electrode is a generally tubular part which is slit in an axial direction along the full length thereof. The tubular part can be a single cylindrically sheet having opposite longitudinally extending edges spaced from each other by a gap or overlapped.

Abstract: An arc tube for an electrodeless metal halide discharge lamp has an arc chamber fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of magnesia-doped polycrystalline alumina, silicon dioxide doped polycrystalline alumina and mono-crystalline alumina. The arc chamber is tubular and has at least one end and has a given outside diameter. At least one end cap closes the at least one end of the arc chamber, the end cap being formed from magnesia-doped polycrystalline alumina and comprising a substantially cup-shaped member having an inside diameter which is sealed to the outside diameter of the arc chamber by a shrink-fit.

Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent lamp and fixture is disclosed which operates radio frequencies and contains a metallic cylinder 9 to suppress capacitive coupling between an induction coil 7 and a plasma in the envelope 1 of the lamp and simultaneously substantially reduce heat in a reentrant cavity 5. The lamp includes a bulbous envelope 1 having a conventional phosphor layer 3 disposed therein. The bulbous envelope 1 contains a suitable ionizable gaseous fill. Upon ionization of the gaseous fill, the phosphor is stimulated to emit visible radiation upon absorption of ultraviolet radiation. The reentrant cavity 5 of the bulbous envelope 1 contains an inducation coil. The cylinder 9 transfers heat from the plasma to the fixture 11 through a base 13, 13a on the envelope 1.

Abstract: A low breakdown voltage gas discharge device includes an envelope filled with an appropriately selected working substance. Two main electrodes are sealed in a vacuum-tight manner inside the envelope, and are separated by a predetermined distance. A supplemental electrode extends between the main electrodes along the direction of the electrical discharge, and has its geometrical and electrical parameters satisfy the following equation:S=I.sub.d /C,where S is the surface area of the supplemental electrode and depends on the distance between the main electrodes, I.sub.d is the current flowing in the supplemental electrode during normal glow discharge, and C is a constant characterizing the current I.sub.d, the composition of the supplemental electrode, and the type and pressure of the working substance. The supplemental electrode is connected to an AC or DC power source via a switch, so that the supplemental electrode always acts as a preparatory glow discharge cathode.

Abstract: A method to operate an incoherently emitting radiation source, in particular a discharge lamp, which transmits UV, IR or VIS radiation. The discharge is generated by means of a train of voltage pulses, interrupted by idle times, inside a discharge vessel; electrodes dielectrically impaired on one or both ends can be used. By a suitable choice of the filling, the electrode configuration, the sparking distance, the type and thickness of the dielectrics, the time-dependent voltage amplitudes, and the pulse and idle times, efficiencies in UV generation of 65% and more are attained.