Abstract: Ignition of high intensity discharge (HID) lamps can be enhanced by the application of ultrahigh frequency (UHF) electric fields at modest power levels. The implementation of UHF power assisted starting offers considerable advantage over known prior art lower frequency power starting methods. Solid state circuits and coupled means can be utilized as described therein.

Abstract: A gas discharge lamp has a discharge gas sealed in a light-transmissive, cylindrical tube in which an internal electrode is provided as a first receiving end. An external electrode having predetermined widths along the axis of the tube is provided on the outer surface of the tube as a second receiving end. A shielding film is also provided on the outer surface of the tube excluding where a slit with a predetermined width is formed. The widths of the external electrode can be changed in accordance with the luminance distribution of the gas discharge lamp. The internal and external electrodes are connected to a high frequency power source and are applied with high frequency power therefrom, thereby causing discharge within the tube.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus to produce a noble-gas plasma for excitation in optical emission spectrometry. The apparatus includes an hf generator feeding an oscillation circuit consisting of at least one inductor and one capacitor. The capcitor includes at least two capacitor plates which are so shaped and mutually arranged that they enclose a cavity in which the plasma may form.

Abstract: A light transmissive liquid crystal display is illuminated from its rear surface by a juxtaposed flat electrodeless discharge lamp. The lamp includes a pair of glass plates sealably enclosing a fill gas. The front plate carries a phosphor coating on its interior surface and the rear plate carries a phosphor coating and a reflective film. A rectangular array of RF coils behind the rear plate provides excitation for a plasma arc discharge within the fill gas whereby adjacent discharge current paths counter rotate. Ultraviolet radiation emitted by the plasma arc discharge excites the phosphor which produces visible light of uniform brightness that may be varied by varying the RF current amplitude in the coils.

Abstract: In a gas discharge lamp of this invention, an internal electrode is provided in a tube bulb and an external electrode is provided on the outer surface of the bulb so as to cover it. A fluorescent material film is formed inside the bulb and is excited to emit visible light by a glow discharge, which is caused by applying a voltage between these electrodes. The fluorescent material film in the bulb has different thicknesses in the tube axial direction of the bulb to average the surface luminance of the gas discharge lamp.

Abstract: A flat fluorescent lamp having transparent electrodes, transparent glass plates spaced vertically apart and confronting each other, transparent conductive films forming electrodes provided on the outer surface or the inner surface of the glass plates, fluorescent paint layers provided fixedly on the inner side of the glass plates, or on the glass plates via the transparent conductive films by coating the fluorescent paint on the inner surfaces of the glass plates or conductive films, glass frames spaced horizontally close to both ends of the transparent glass plates or the transparent conductive films and fixedly mounted on the glass plates or transparent conductive films, a space surounded by the glass plates or the transparent conductive films and the glass frames for sealing gas, generally an inert gas therein, and lead-in wires clamping one end of the glass plates and the transparent conductive films.

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: A plasma generator for exciting electrons in the plasma to a uniform energy evel. In a perferred embodiment, two sets of mutually perpendicular electrodes surround a container of gas, with one set being driven through a ninety degree phase shifter to establish a circularly polarized field in the space within the container. Alternative means are disclosed for launching circularly polarized RF waves into the container of gas. A desired level of uniform electron energy is achieved by establishing the proper relationship between the frequency and magnitude of the applied circularly polarized field and the mean free path of the electrons in the plasma.

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 discharge lamp has an outer discharge tube and an inner discharge tube. The outer tube includes an envelope of glass enclosing an inert gas, a first electrode mounted within the envelope, a second electrode formed of a transparent film deposited on the exterior surface of the envelope, and a fluorescent material coated on the interior surface of the envelope for producing a light in a desired color when a voltage is applied across the two electrodes. The inner tube is inserted in the outer tube and includes an envelope of glass enclosing an inert gas, a third electrode mounted within the envelope, the third electrode utilizing the second electrode of the outer tube as an opposite electrode for producing luminous discharge, and a fluorescent material coated on the interior surface of the envelope for producing a light in a color different from the one produced by the fluorescent material on the outer tube.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a discharge lamp type display device which comprises mainly at least one discharge lamp formed by a discharge tube in which inert gas is charged. The discharge lamp comprises a pair of electrodes one of which is locally provided within the discharge tube adjacent one end thereof and the other is formed of electrically conductive, light transmissive film deposited on the exterior surface of the discharge tube. The display device further comprises means for gradually increasing or decreasing the voltage or the frequency of discharge power to be supplied between the two electrodes of the discharge lamp, whereby illumination region of the discharge lamp is variably controlled.

Abstract: A high pressure sodium vapor lamp comprising an alumina arc tube within an outer glass envelope is provided with a capacitive starting aid in the interenvelope space. The aid comprises a stiff wire which is pressed lengthwise against the side of the arc tube by a bimetal arm swinging in a plane normal to the lamp axis. Preferably the wire has a camber concave towards the arc tube which is flattened out at room temperature. In the event of a reclosure, the camber shortens the hot restart time.

Abstract: A miniaturized vapor discharge lamp assembly that includes a light transmissive bulb containing a buffer gas and a vaporizable light radiating substance such as rubidium. Lamp excitation is provided by the use of a capacitor in the lamp assembly in conjunction with an RF oscillator. The capacitor establishes a substantially longitudinal electric field which ionizes the rubidium vapor to cause emission of light. The need for an RF excitation coil is eliminated.

Abstract: A capacitatively coupled plasma device has a plasma tube, an electrode positioned near the tube and means to supply a high voltage, high frequency potential such as a radio frequency to the tube to energize a flow of argon or like gas to form a plasma. A sample of material is excited by the plasma energy to emit characteristic radiation for analysis by suitable means such as spectrometric analysis or for other use and application.

Abstract: A resonance lamp of improved efficiency and stability is provided, using radio frequency excitation applied axially of the lamp, which is matched to the radio frequency source by making it part of an initially high Q tuned circuit resonant at the source frequency. This resonance promotes starting of the lamp, while the damping applied by the lamp circuit during running provides stabilization. A feedback circuit sensing lamp current or light output from a rare gas filling of the lamp provides longer term stability. The lamp may include a heated side arm containing a source of molecular gas which can be excited to provide radiation from an atomic species of interest, and the heating of the side arm is controlled not only by feedback from a temperature sensor but also by feedback from an optical detector sensitive to the radiation of interest.

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 high pressure discharge lamp having cylindrical or elliptical envelope containing a rare gas atmosphere as the starter gas and mercury and other volatile metals. The luminous output of this high intensity discharge lamp is increased by the presence of a magnetic field which spreads the arc discharge throughout the lamp envelope.

Abstract: An ornamental lamp which includes a light transmitting envelope containing a fluid such as an inert gas or air and at least one electrode disposed within or without said envelope and applying high voltage at a high frequency to said electrode to ionize the fluid to produce ornamental displays and varying the characteristics of the displays by changing the magnitude of the voltage, the frequency and wave form through modulation and a power supply for operating said lamp utilizing a transformer having a high voltage secondary and two low voltage primaries with said primaries being connected to said amplifier to produce a positive feedback signal to cause oscillation thereof and filter means for effecting modulation of the feedback signal.