Abstract: Several different cold cathode configurations for a gas discharge device each having a plurality of grooves of selected spacing, depth and width to improve the emission of electrons in a gas discharge device. Each of the cold cathode configurations can be machined from a single piece of a selected material. Several of the configurations can be assembled with individual elements which is easily seen from the various figures.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for quantitative autoradiography analysis involving beta-ray radiation comprises a converter 2 and wire chamber 3 in association with a membrane which provides a seal for the housing in which the converter and wire chamber are accommodated, the membrane also providing a "window" for the radioactive samples.

Abstract: A low power metal halide discharge lamp having an improved electrode structure. Two elongated electrodes fabricated of a doped tungsten each extend axially through a respective neck of a bulb into an arc chamber. Each of electrode comprises a lead-in wire having a diameter ranging between about 0.003 to 0.018 inches that enters the arc chamber. A post member is mounted on the lead-in wire, out of contact with the associated neck, and is preferably welded to the lead-in. The post member has a flat distal surface for transferring heat to vapors in said arc chamber. It is larger in diameter than its associated lead-in wire, and has a diameter in a range of 0.005 to 0.040 inches. The flat distal surfaces of the two post members face one another in spaced apart relationship, the space therebetween forming an arc gap.

Abstract: An improved gas discharge trigger for a pseudogap cold cathode thyratron. Electrical trigger pulses are capacitively coupled through the vacuum envelope wall (16) causing a gas discharge adjacent to the rear of the hollow cathode (26). Coupling apertures (12) between the trigger discharge region and the hollow cathode allow ionization to propagate into the rear of the hollow cathode and trigger the pseudogap from a non conducting to conducting state.

Abstract: Electrodes 11 and 12 in a cold-cathode discharge lamp have a row of holes 13 arranged side-by-side along their length. The holes are formed by laser machining and extend at an angle of between about 25.degree. and 35.degree. to the normal, the holes in the two electrodes being oppositely inclined.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a short arc lamp comprising an alumina ceramic cylindrically shaped body with a concave opening at one end that is silvered to form a reflector, a cathode suspended within the concave opening in opposition to an anode that protrudes through a hole in the center of the concave opening from the opposite end of the body, a circular iron base that supports the anode at its center and attaches to the body with a metal ring that bridges a separation between the base and the body, and a copper heat transfer pad that is brazed to the inside of the metal ring and the body such that heat is efficiently transferred from the area of the concave reflector near the hole for the anode to a heat sink that attaches to the metal ring outside the lamp. A copper plug brazed as an integral part of the anode serves to distribute heat efficiently throughout the anode.

Abstract: A sealed gas discharge lamp is filed with a water vapor-enriched low pressure nitrogen oxygen mixture and a storage medium such as manganese dioxide is included in a separate vessel of the lamp for additionally storing water vapor but releasing the water vapor as the pressure in the lamp drops, the release may be augmented by heating the storage medium.

Abstract: A high pressure discharge lamp with a thermally improved anode, as well as a method of making such a lamp, are disclosed. The lamp includes a refractory arc tube with a hermetically sealed arc chamber, a fill in the arc chamber for facilitating light generation, and an anode and a cathode extending into the hermetically sealed arc chamber and being spaced apart from each other. The anode comprises a shank of refractory metal, a cylindrically shaped refractory metal sleeve on a portion of the shank, and an end proximally facing the cathode. The anode end comprises a substantially solid mass of refractory metal, and is integrally joined to both the shank and the metal sleeve to facilitate heat flow from the anode end to the shank and sleeve. The anode end preferably is generally shaped as a hemisphere facing the cathode. The refractory metal sleeve is preferably one or more layers of a helically wound refractory metal wire having an outer diameter more than twice a diameter of the shank.

Abstract: A gas-filled discharge tube includes a tubular body formed of an electrically insulating material, and has engaging portions respectively at opposite ends thereof. A pair of electrode bases are provided; at least one of the electrode bases is formed of an electrically conducting thin metal sheet, airtightly adhered to the respective open ends. A pair of discharge electrodes are provided; the discharge electrodes have flange portions which are engaged with the respective engaging portions and sandwiched between the tubular body and the respective electrode bases. One of the electrode bases is formed with a gas filling bore by a laser beam for filling an inert gas. The gas filling bore is welded by the laser beam after the inert gas is filled in the tubular body, so as to seal and enclose the inert gas therein.

Abstract: A gas tube protector includes a new coating for the electrodes. The coating, which eliminates the need for conditioning the electrodes prior to using or testing the protector, includes barium titanate and titanium.

Abstract: A discharge tube of the type wherein a voltage is applied across a pair of electrodes to cause a discharge between the anode side electrode and the cathode side electrode. In the new discharge tube, opposing end portions of the pair of electrodes are formed into a non-acute configuration, and a large number of concave or convex portions are formed on a surface at least of the cathode side electrode. A stabilized high discharge voltage can be obtained from an initial stage of discharging with a comparatively small distance between the electrodes. Further, since the surface area of the electrodes is great, exhaustion of the electrodes are dispersed, and the electrodes are superior in durability. Further, since the distance between the electrodes is small, the discharge maintaining voltage is low and the energy loss is decreased.

Abstract: The electrodes of a flat panel cold cathode discharge lamp are each formed from a block of metal with holes arranged side-by-side along the electrode which open into the gas-discharge volume of the lamp. The holes extend at an angle of about 25-35 degrees away from the normal to the surface of the electrode and are formed by laser machining.

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: 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: A first display discharge lamp has a transparent airtight container filled with a discharge gas; a positive electrode disposed in the airtight container and supported by a stem having an air tube therein; a negative electrode of an inverted configuration disposed in the transparent airtight container and surrounded by the positive electrode; a lead member integrally formed with the positive electrode, having a bent portion between a lower end of the negative electrode and the stem; and an insulating member disposed between the lower end of the negative electrode and the bent portion of the lead member. According to a second display discharge lamp, both a negative electrode and a positive electrode are of an inverted conical configuration. The former has at least an open upper end, while the latter has an open upper end and an open lower end. A lower end of the positive electrode is inserted in an interior of the negative electrode from the open upper end of the negative electrode.

Abstract: A gas discharge tube using a tunnel effect type electron emitting device as a cathode is provided. The electron emitting device comprises a conductive metal base and a dielectric film formed preferably of a material containing MgO as a main component on the metal base. The dielectric film faces an anode and is exposed to a gas in the tube. In the cathode of this structure, discharge is effected at a relatively low DC voltage.

Abstract: A glow discharge lamp includes a light-transmitting envelope containing a noble gas fill material. An anode electrode and a cathode electrode are spacedly located within the envelope. The anode electrode includes a single wire having a convoluted portion adjacent the cathode electrode and lying in a plane parallel to a plane intersecting the cathode electrode and a pair of lead-in wires supporting the cathode electrode. The improved anode construction results in an increase in both light output and lamp efficacy.

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: A lamp lead with swaged indentations arranged around the circumference of the lead is disclosed. It has been discovered that the orientation of the locking indentation is significant in making a sound mechanical lock with the press seal of a lamp. By arranging the indentations around the lead, proper orientation of at least one of the indentations is always assured.

Abstract: An AC operated glow lamp having a cathode electrode and a pair of anode electrodes driven from a capacitively ballasted autotransformer that provides phase inversion so as to enable a full wave rectification of the discharge current thus operating in a DC regime from an AC line. The double anode lamp and ballast circuitry provides for rapid lamp starting as well as continuous cathode heating during lamp operation.

Abstract: A flash light operating in the "pulse and simmer" mode has a cathode and an anode 18 mounted at opposite ends of a transparent envelope 10. The cathode, which may be water cooled, includes a mount 24 and a tip 26 joined to the mount by an undercut neck portion 28. Thus the tip 26 runs at an increased operational temperature due to the reduced thermal conductivity of the neck portion. The ratio of the diameter D of the tip 26 to its axial dimension C from the neck portion 28 may be in the range 0.3 to 0.5.

Abstract: An electrode for a cold cathode discharge lamp, has several parallel recesses extending across the width of the electrode and at an angle of about 35 degrees away from the normal to its surface. The electrode may be formed by folding a strip of metal so that the recesses are formed between adjacent folds of the strip. Alternatively, the electrode may be a block of metal in which the recesses are slots formed in a surface of the block. The electrode may be included in a tubular lamp or in a planar lamp.

Abstract: A single-sealed metal-vapor discharge lamp forms a press sealed portion on one end to seal in a discharge space starting noble gas, light emission metal, and mercury. The discharge lamp has a pair of electrodes with bent portions whose tip ends are bent opposite to each other in the discharge space; a pair of inner metallic foil conductors, to each one end of which the proximal ends of the electrodes are joined; and an arc tube enclosing a pair of internal lead wires, each one end of which is joined to the other end of the inner metallic foil conductors. The electrodes which are arranged approximately parallel in the arc tube. A bend angle .theta. of the bent portions arc is 60.degree..ltoreq..theta..ltoreq.120.degree., and the curvature radius R of the periphery of the bent portions is approximately R.gtoreq.1.2d (where, d is wire diameter of the electrode rod).

Abstract: A surface discharge excimer light source which employs a one sided cell wherein all electrodes and the dielectric are on one side of the discharge space. The light produced by the device is neither shadowed nor attenuated by an electrode, and the electrode temperatures can be closely controlled. The construction of the device eliminates the need to maintain parallelism of the discharge space and close tolerances.

Abstract: A low-wattage metal-halide discharge lamp has a quartz tube of the double-ended type that forms a bulb or envelope, a pair of electrodes, e.g., an anode and a cathode, which penetrate into an arc chamber inside the envelope, and a suitable amount of mercury plus one or more metal halide salts. The electrodes are each formed of a refractory metal, i.e., tungsten wire, extending through the respective necks into the arc chamber. Heat dissipation through the neck is controlled by constructing the quartz shanks to that they have shank segments of a desired surface area that extend from the necks a distance equal to the length of the arc chamber. A shank segment loading factor defined as the rated power divided by the shank segment surface areas, and should be in a target range of 12 to 36 w cm.sup.-2. Lamps of this design achieve high efficacy at relatively low power, i.e., below 30 watts.

Abstract: The discharge tube has an insulating tube formed into a hollow cylinder with one end open and the other closed. An anode electrode, which is formed as a flanged electrode, is hermetically fitted to the open end of the insulating tube and a cathode electrode, which is formed as a bar electrode, is embedded in the closed end of the insulating tube so that only the front end surface of the bar electrode faces the interior of the insulating tube. This construction allows no redundant space within the insulating tube other than the dishcarge space, so that the discharge tube can be minimized in size. This construction also permits a discharge only between the front end of the bar electrode and the inner end of the flanged electrode, stabilizing the electron emission passage or discharge path and therefore the discharge voltage.

Abstract: A charging method within a glass tube using a direct current of low voltage is provided in order to obtain a small fluorescent lamp with a light emission of high luminance. Two distinct discharges are achieved through use of one negative electrode. The filament-like negative electrode is arranged at a short spaced relation to a positive electrode at one end of the glass tube and upon application of the direct current voltage becomes the preliminary discharge. A second positive electrode is positioned at the opposite end of the glass tube and has a greater-spaced relation to the negative electrode resulting in the second discharge.

Abstract: Anode and cathode means are provided for a metal halide lamp which cooperate in providing more rapid light output during lamp start-up. A xenon-metal halide lamp employing the improved discharge electrode means is disclosed along with an automotive headlamp having this lamp for its light source.

Abstract: A low-wattage metal-halide discharge lamp has a tube of the double ended type that forms a bulb or envelope, a pair of electrodes, e.g., an anode and a cathode, which penetrate into an arc chamber inside the envelope, and a suitable amount of mercury plus one or more metal halide salts. The electrodes are each formed of a refractory metal, i.e., tungsten wire, extending through the respective necks into the arc chamber. The electrodes are of a composite design i.e., in the form of a club, with a lead-in wire of small diameter supported in the associated neck, and a post member of greater diameter supported on the lead-end wire. The post members are supported of contact with the necks and also out of contact with the bulb wall. The larger size of the post member allows heat at the tip to diffuse back into the post member, so that the metal tip will not evaporate. The narrow lead-in wire keeps most of the heat in the bulb, so that flow of heat out of the neck portions is limited.

Abstract: An optical light source device includes a source member providing the emission of electromagnetic radiation wavelengths in the optical region of the spectrum, and at least one cavity waveguide member coupled with the electromagnetic radiation source member having a predetermined lateral dimension. The cavity waveguide member and predetermined dimension restrict the emission of electromagnetic radiation in the long wavelength non-visible infra-red range. In a preferred embodiment, the optical light source is formed with an array of optical light source members and associated cavity waveguide members.

Abstract: A dispenser cathode for a gas filled tube is fabricated from a porous metal material impregnated with an electron emitting material and has on an emitting surface at least one geometric aperture of a given depth and width and having steep vertical walls which serve to compensate for the deleterious effects of ion back bombardment.

Abstract: An arc discharge device is formed by two electrodes which are hermetically sealed within a glass tube filled with an inert gas. One electrode is cup shaped, with an open end. The other electrode enters the open end and approaches the bottom of the cup shape. The distance are such that the arc discharge occurs between the bottom of the cup and the end of the other electrode. The side wall of the cup shields the arc.

Abstract: A gas discharge device having the characteristic of low discharge voltage, the construction being such that the cathode is surrounding the discharge space of the anode. A barrier and the cathode are each alternately formed with different height portions; also, said cathode forms a half-circle groove surrounding the discharge space of said anode; said barrier forms a similar groove sidewardly adjoining the cathode groove; and wholly, said discharge space is oriented transversely relative to the anode.

Abstract: A glow discharge lamp includes a light-transmitting envelope containing a rare gas fill material. The envelope contains a spherical-shaped region having a predetermined internal radius R. A phosphor coating is disposed on the inner surface of the envelope. Anode and cathode electrodes are disposed within the envelope and spaced a predetermined distance d thereapart. The voltage drop of the cathode electrode is less than the excitation potential of the rare gas fill material. The anode electrode has a predetermined effective surface area S.sub.a such that the relationship Rd/S.sub.a is within the range of from about 5.0 to 11.0.

Abstract: A hot-cathode type low-pressure rare gas discharge lamp comprises electrodes each of which operate as hot cathode during lighting and which is heated at a temperature ranging from 800.degree. C. to 1200.degree. C., whereby the lamp with an ordinary simple construction can be improved in luminance distribution characteristics, without any loss in life characteristic, and can be put to practical use as an ideal luminous light source for office automation equipment.

Abstract: A cathode (12) for a glow discharge device and comprising a hollow body provided with an opening and having an internal working surface (18) which is substantially frusto-ellipsoidal. The cathode has particular application to a laser gyroscope.

Abstract: A negative glow discharge lamp including a wire anode and a cathode disposed within a phosphor-coated envelope. The thickness radius of the wire used for the anode is less than the electron mean free path in the discharge. In a preferred embodiment, the wire anode is in the form of a cylindrical cage coaxially surrounding the cathode and includes a pair of wire rings spaced apart and interconnected by a plurality of transversing wire segments. The diameter of each of the wire rings and the length of each of the wire segments are greater than the electron mean free path in the discharge. The wire anode does not attain a positive anode voltage drop (PAVD) during lamp operation. As a result, the efficiency of the glow discharge lamp is improved.

Abstract: A xenon short arc discharge lamp has a lamp bulb (1) of quartz glass, into which two rod-shaped electrodes (4, 5) protrude, the spacing of which is shorter than the diameter of the shaft (8) of the cathode (5); the cathode (5) is provided with a conical, obtuse tip (9). By doping with a metal halide, such as thallium iodide, the spectral radiant intensity per unit area in the plasma zone immediately in front of the cathode (5) is increased substantially compared with an undoped xenon short arc discharge lamp, and as a result of a flow-controlled tungsten-halogen cycle process, a stabilized cathode spot operation is attained, and the inner wall of the lamp bulb (1) remains free of tungsten deposits.

Abstract: An X-ray generator comprises an anode (4) and a cathode (10) disposed in an enclosure (2) under low helium pressure and powered by an electric pulse generator (20) providing sufficient voltage in order to generate runaway electrons. The emission face of the cathode is a section of an emission plate (10) constituted by a carbon felt whose fibers have a privileged orientation perpendicular to said face in order to encourage the emission of electrons from said face. The invention is particularly applicable to pre-ionizing the discharge chamber of a gas laser.

Abstract: To improve the arc stability of a high-pressure arc discharge lamp, typically a xenon arc lamp, the cathode (4) has an essentially conical end portion (9), terminating in a roughly flat, or slightly rounded tip (10). The cathode is covered with a carbide layer (11) decreasing in thickness towards the tip (10) and, preferably, leaving a zone (12) adjacent the tip and extending over about one-third of the end zone (9) free from carbide. The carbide has a lower melting temperature than the tungsten of the electrode, and leaving the tip free from carbide prevents deterioration of the electrode due to melting of the carbide material, in operation of the lamp.

Abstract: In a discharge tube for use in a housing for a vacuum, an improved optical radiation source is formed by a cathode and a hollow anode. The hollow anode has at least one first surface defining a hollow, partly closed space. The first surface is disposed for cooperation with the cathode. The hollow anode also has at least one second surface that also could cooperate with the cathode. Only the first of the first and second surfaces is conductive. Electrodes are respectively connected to the cathode and hollow anode.

Abstract: An electric discharge lamp having two distinct electrode pairs, each pair including a "large" anode, is provided to eliminate the voltage drop between the positive column and the electrodes. A diode is wired in series with each electrode to prevent electron emission from the enlarged anodes. The combination results in a lamp with higher efficacy.

Abstract: A tungsten-iridium billet is impregnated with a chemical mixture of barium xide, strontium oxide, and aluminum oxide, the impregnated billet heated, and the surface of the impregnated billet desired for emission exposed to an overcoating of rhodium.

Abstract: A hollow cathode assembly especially suitable for a boosted discharge hollow cathode lamp includes, a hollow cathode open at spaced apart ends, formed from a selected element which characterizes the assembly, and a cathode support. An anode is spaced from one of the open ends of the cathode, while an electron emitter has its outlet spaced from the other open end of the cathode. An inner envelope is provided to constrain the electron stream from the electron emitter to the anode to pass through the cathode. The cathode support is not insulated to prevent surface discharge therefrom but in operation of the lamp, the stream of electrons from the electron emitter through the cathode to the anode substantially confines surface discharge to the interior of the cathode.

Abstract: A gas discharge device includes means for injecting electrons into a high field region between an anode and a cathode structure located within a gas filled envelope. This causes ionisation within the region and triggers the device into conduction.

Abstract: This invention provides a source of optical radiation of high brightness obtained from an output window that is located on the axis of an extended length arc discharge device. The arc discharge device is confined by an electrically insulating tubular element, and caused by the tubular element to have an extended length to diameter ratio. The tubular element is provided with a reflecting surface that improves efficiency and increases output. Means are provided to transfer heat from the tubular element and to support high internal gas pressure, and to thereby facilitate use of a very high brightness arc discharge.

Abstract: A cathode is formed such that a blackening of the inside wall of the discharge tube due to evaporated material does not occur and good heat transmission occurs. A base member (5) is provided to which a green sintered member (7) is pressed on said base member under high pressure and is then sintered which reduces its size. Soldering or welding is thus accordingly avoided. The volume of the sintered member (7) is significantly smaller than the volume of the base member (5).

Abstract: A high performance hollow cathode lamp comprises an common anode and an open-ended hollow cylinder as primary cathode consisting of a selected element adapted to produce a primary electric discharge, which give rise to an atomic vapor of said element by cathode sputtering from the primary cathode, between the anode and the primary cathode. An auxiliary cathode in form of hollow cylinder with one or two open ends is provided to produce a secondary electric discharge. A shielding tube covering the anode and the primary cathode serves to constrain the electron stream of the secondary discharge extending from the auxiliary cathode to the common anode to pass through the primary cathode to excite further the atoms in the vapor to emit radiation characteristic of said element.

Abstract: For far-reaching reduction of cataphoresis of a fluorescent lamp for unipolar mode of operation, the anode thereof is such that in order to decrease anode current density its surface effective for the formation of the electric field of discharge amounts to 60-100 % of the maximal cross-sectional area of the discharge envelope, measured vertically to the discharge axis. Suitably the anode is provided with heat dissipators to thereby obtain a still greater temperature gradient. A permanent external heating of the cathode permits a particularly good igniting behaviour and a simple luminosity regulation which are advantageous when the lamp is used for reproduction of alphanumeric characters and images e.g. in a matrix, a display or the like.

Abstract: A discharge lamp device includes a tube, and a cathode disposed in said tube and made of a valence-compensated semiconductor ceramic material, or a forcibly reduced semiconductor ceramic material, or a valence-compensated and forcibly reduced semiconductor ceramic material. Since the cathode does not include an electron-emitting material, but uses a semiconductor ceramic material, no vapor is produced by the cathode and also the cathode does not react with mercury vapor filled in the tube. Therefore, the discharge lamp device has improved characteristics such as greater heat resistance, better chemical resistance, and improved discharge characteristics. The discharge lamp device is less costly because the semiconductor ceramic material used as the cathode is inexpensive.