Abstract: A high power lamp which utilzes a lamp fill containing sulfur or selenium, or compounds of these substances. An electrodeless lamp utilizing such a fill at a pressure at least as high as 1 atmosphere is excited at a power density in excess of 50 watts/cc. An arc lamp utilizing the fill at a pressure at least as high as 1 atmosphere is excited at a power density of at least 60 watts/cm.

Abstract: An arc tube for a discharge lamp unit which emits light which is suitable in luminous flux, color temperature, and chromaticity. The arc tube is composed of a closed glass ball in which electrodes confront one another and which is sealingly charged with light emitting materials, namely, mercury and a metal iodide of NaI and ScI.sub.3 groups together with Xe inert gas. In accordance with the invention, the closed glass ball has a volume of 20 to 50 .mu.l, the density of the mercury in the closed glass ball is in a range of 2.times.10.sup.-2 to 4.times.10.sup.-2 mg/.mu.l, the density of the metal iodide is in a range of 6.times.10.sup.-3 to 12.times.10.sup.-3 mg/.mu.l, and the charged Xe gas pressure is 3 to 6 atm. These ranges make it possible to readily manufacture on a large scale arc tubes which are substantially equal in performance, being substantially uniform in tube voltage, luminous flux, color temperature and chromaticity.

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: An arc tube of fused silica for a metal halide arc discharge lamp including a fill for the arc tube comprised of a sodium halide, at least one additional metal halide, and an inert starting gas, the arc tube including a tube of fused silica having an inner wall defining an arc chamber, the inner wall of the tube having provided thereon a metal silicate coating which is vitreous and light-transmissive, and which is comprised of a silicate of at least one metal selected from the group consisting essentially of scandium, yttrium, and a rare earth element, and preferably which is the same metal as that of the at least one additional metal halide. Protection of the fused silica arc tube with the metal silicate coating reduces loss of the metallic portion of the fill by diffusion or reaction and corresponding buildup of free halogen in the arc tube.

Abstract: The high-pressure discharge lamp has a filling in a discharge vessel (1) which includes a rare gas and a metal compound (2) chosen from hafnium halides and zirconium halides. The halide evaporates and discomposes to form incandescent, condensed metal particles. The lamp may be electrodeless and may in addition contain a buffer gas as a component of its filling. Alternatively, the lamp may have internal electrodes (13) and contain mercury (12) as a buffer gas. The lamp has favorable light generating properties, in particular a good color rendering, and in addition may have a very high luminous efficacy.

Abstract: A high intensity discharge lamp having a fill including at least one rare earth metal iodide has an additional metal component for avoiding a substantial loss of the metal component of the fill and the attendant substantial buildup of free iodine, thereby increasing the useful life of the lamp. During lamp operation, the additional metal component combines with iodine in the vapor phase, forming a relatively stable iodide and thus reducing the total level of free iodine in the lamp. As a result, arc instability is avoided. The additional metal component also emits visible light and hence improves efficacy. Moreover, the additional metal component does not attack the arc tube wall by reducing silica. Suitable additional metal components include indium and thallium.

Abstract: A scandium halide and alkali metal halide discharge lamp has a chemical fill in the arc tube comprising an inert starting gas, mercury, alkali metal iodides, scandium iodide and platinum metal as an additive for reducing the tendency of the lamps to discolor during operation.

Abstract: Heat sink means are provided for a metal halide lamp to enable more light output during lamp start-up. A xenon-metal halide lamp employing the heat sink means is disclosed along an with automotive headlamp having this lamp for its light source.

Abstract: A gas discharge tube having an outer envelope in which deuterium gas is filled. In the envelope, an anode, a cathode and a first shield cover for surrounding these electrodes are disposed. A second shield cover is disposed within the first shield cover and at a position adjacent the anode to divide an internal space defined by the first shield cover into a first chamber in which the anode is positioned and a second chamber in which a cathode is positioned. A plasma arc generating portion is positioned at the second shield cover. A plasma arc generated on the plasma arc generating portion provides an optical axis extending linearly toward the outer envelope through an opening of the first shield cover. The cathode is disposed at a position offset from the optical axis for providing a flow line of electrons from the cathode to the anode in a direction obliquely with respect to the optical axis.

Abstract: A gas-filled discharge tube for voltage control particularly for the series gap of the ignition system of an automotive spark-ignition engine. The gas-filled discharge tube is capable of operating stably at a sufficiently high discharge inception voltage, requires a sufficiently low discharge sustaining voltage and is capable of accurately controlling the ignition timing of the automotive spark-ignition engine regardless of the variation of the output voltage of the ignition coil of the ignition system. The gas-filled discharge tube is provided with discharge electrodes meeting requirements that the opposite surfaces of the discharge electrodes are substantially flat, the discharge electrodes have no sharp edge, and the product of the diameter of the discharge electrodes and the distance between the discharge electrode is 20 mm.sup.2 or below. The gas-filled discharge tube is filled with a mixed gas having a composition of 50% by volume or below in nitrogen content and 50% or above in argon content.

Abstract: A source of red light includes a double-bore capillary tube having a pair of ends and a convoluted shape. A pair of electrodes is located at one end of the capillary tube and disposed within respective bores. An ionizable medium is enclosed within the capillary tube and includes neon at a pressure from about 300 to 600 torr. When energized, the ionizable medium generates an arc discharge between the electrodes consisting primarily of radiation in the range of from 590 to 670 nanometers. An outer jacket of vitreous material may surround the capillary tube and contain an inert gas (e.g., nitrogen) at a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A triggerable switching spark gap has two main electrodes, which are insulated from each other, and a galvanically controllable trigger electrode, which is configured in the center of a circular opening of one main electrode. A clearance (a) between the two main electrodes is greater by the factor 1.1 to 2.3, preferably by the factor 1.4 to 1.7, than the width (b) of the ring gap between the trigger electrode and the corresponding main electrode. Furthermore, the circumferential edge of the trigger electrode (6) arranged to be flush with the discharge surface of the corresponding main electrode has a radius of curvature less than or equal to 0.1 mm and the trigger electrode and the corresponding main electrode are coated with a silver-containing activating mass. The delay time of the switching spark gap is able to be reduced to values less than or equal to 0.5 .mu.s.

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

Abstract: A deuterium lamp with a quartz glass bulb for spectral analyzers is disclosed. At least the portion of the quartz glass bulb through which the radiation produced passes is provided on its outer surface with a multiple interference filter layer; the physical layer thickness of each layer is in the range from 10 to 70 nm. The multiple layer comprises atlternating aluminum oxide and silicon dioxide, or magnesium fluoride. The interference filter layers are preferably vapor-deposited in a vacuum.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing incandescent lamps with halogen, particularly fluorine filling comprising the steps of preparing a body of an incandescent lamp, the body consisting of an envelope made of a translucent material, an incandescent filament arranged within the envelope on supporting means, current lead-in members and a sucking pipe communicating with the inner space of the envelope, evacuating the inner space to a pressure from about 4 Pa to about 5 Pa by the means of a pumping system connected with the sucking pipe, introducing into the inner space a filling comprising an inert gas and a halogen element, ensuring thereby inner pressure about 10.sup.5 Pa within the envelope, closing the sucking pipe for separating the body from the pumping system, and carrying out the evacuating process with a stop at an intermediate pressure, heating up the body to a temperature in the range from about 500.degree. C. to about 600.degree. C. and then continuing the evacuating process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a photometric determination regarding the contents of a sample, such as the absorbance characteristic of a blood serum sample. The improvement allows measurements to be taken after a reduced warm-up period and compensates for variations in the lamp intensity during the period over which measurements are taken. A feedback circuit is provided between a reference photodetector and the light source for causing the light source intensity to asymptotically approach a final stable value in a smooth exponential curve. Signal processing means processes outputs of the reference and sample photodetectors taken at different times so as to compensate for variations in the source intensity over the time period during which the outputs are taken. Still further, the photometer allows resonant frequency mixing of the contents of a cuvette while disposed in the photometer by causing the entire optical assembly, in which the cuvette is mounted, to vibrate at its resonant frequency.

Abstract: A spark gap switch system is disclosed which is capable of operating at a high pulse rate comprising an insulated switch housing having a purging gas entrance port and a gas exit port, a pair of spaced apart electrodes each having one end thereof within the housing and defining a spark gap therebetween, an easily condensable and preferably low molecular weight insulating gas flowing through the switch housing from the housing, a heat exchanger/condenser for condensing the insulating gas after it exits from the housing, a pump for recirculating the condensed insulating gas as a liquid back to the housing, and a heater exchanger/evaporator to vaporize at least a portion of the condensed insulating gas back into a vapor prior to flowing the insulating gas back into the housing.

Abstract: Arc discharged by a short arc discharge lamp can be made so small in diameter as to appear like a spot. Therefore, the illuminance efficiency of the short arc discharge lamp can be made high and its brightness can also be enhanced.

Abstract: A single flash discharge tube system is provided that is capable of emitting artificial light of a controlled and variable spectral output to compensate for photographic film color variations and/or extremes in scene color temperature. The flash tube contains a mixture of two or more gasses with each gas in the tube having a different ionization potential. When ionized, each has or combination thereof produces light having a different spectral output. The ionization of each gas is controlled by a trigger voltage applied to the flash tube in accordance with a code on a film container indicative of the color balance of film contained therein and/or sensing apparatus that determines scene color temperature.

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 double jacket arc lamp is disclosed. A double jacket arc lamp may be formed with an electric lamp capsule having an inner light transmissive envelope with electrical leads extending from the inner envelope through a first seal, and a second light transmissive envelope sealed to the inner envelope at a second seal to substantially surround the electric lamp capsule and form an enclosed volume between a portion of the exterior of the inner envelope and the interior of the outer envelope, and leaving the leads unenclosed by the outer envelope. The lamp leads then pass through only one seal, and have no portions exposed in the intermediate insulating volume. The intermediate volume of the double jacket arc lamp may include a fill gas including a noninert component. In particular, the fill gas may include oxygen which is thought to have useful gettering and glass preservation attributes. The use of oxygen in the fill gas allows the lamp to operate at a higher temperature, and therefore more efficiently.

Abstract: The high-power radiator includes a discharge space (4) bounded by dielectrics (1, 2) and filled with a noble gas or gas mixture and electrodes (5, 6). The electrodes (5, 6) are transparent to the radiation produced by silent electrical discharges and are, situated on the surfaces of the di-electrics facing away from the discharge space. In this manner, a large-area UV radiator with high efficiency is produced which can be operated with high electrical power densities of up to 50 kW/m.sup.2 of active electrode surface.

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 improvement to the gas mixture used in diffuse glow discharge closing switches is disclosed which includes binary and ternary gas mixtures which are formulated to exhibit decreasing electron attachment with increasing temperature. This increases the efficiency of the conductance of the glow discharge and further inhibits the formation of an arc.

Abstract: A glow discharge lamp having increased efficiency and including a light-transmitting envelope which contains a gas fill material. A pair of electrodes is disposed in the envelope. Lead-in wires couple to the electrodes and are hermetically sealed in the envelope. The gas fill material includes at least one noble gas and a quantity of nitrogen. The nitrogen is in an amount from 1.5 percent to less than 10 percent of the total fill material.

Abstract: A fluorescent gas-discharge color display panel, in which a fluorescent material is excited by a gas-discharge therein, contains a three-component gas mixture of neon, argon and xenon as the discharge gas. Typically, the argon gas component is in the range of from approximately 5 percent to approximately 80 percent, and that of the xenon gas from a minimum sufficient to maintain the Penning effect up to approximately 10 percent. The argon gas component contributes to the gas mixture producing a pure and high peak of green light spectrum and reduces the orange light spectrum emitted directly by the neon gas discharges. Other characteristics, such as operating voltages, brightness, luminous efficacy, and the panel operating life, are satisfactorily maintained. The improved color purity is advantageous for both single and multiple color display by the excited fluorescent material or materials.

Abstract: Metal halide lamps having better lumen maintenance over the life of the lamp contain metal frame parts whose surface is oxidized either prior to lamp assembly or oxidized in-situ during operation of the lamp by oxygen or an oxidizing agent present inside the outer vitreous envelope.

Abstract: A triggerable, high voltage, high current, spark gap switch for use in pu power systems. The device comprises a pair of electrodes in a high pressure hydrogen environment that is triggered by introducing an arc between one electrode and a trigger pin. Unusually high repetition rates may be obtained by undervolting the switch, i.e., operating the trigger at voltages much below the self-breakdown voltage of the device.

Abstract: To protect the quartz of a quartz glass bulb (2) from attack by alkaline earth oxides emitted from electrodes (6) of the lamp, and prevent deterioration of the quartz in use of the lamp with respect to transmission of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, particularly in the short wave length range of 200 nm to 250 nm, boron silicate glass or glass-like aluminum oxide, or a mixture of boron silicate glass and glass-like aluminum oxide is interposed between the quartz bulb (2) and the electrodes. Boron oxide can be applied to the interior of the quartz bulb, and fired thereon to form, for example, a boron silicate glass layer (4) or diffuse into the quartz glass to form a diffusion layer (4') by suitable selection of firing temperatures. Alternatively, an aperture support element (35, 45) can retain a disk of boron silicate glass or glass-like aluminum oxide positioned between the electrodes and the quartz glass bulb.

Abstract: Highly efficient binary and ternary gas mixtures for use in diffuse glow discharge closing switches are disclosed. The binary mixtures are combinations of helium or neon and selected perfluorides. The ternary mixtures are combinations of helium, neon, or argon, a selected perfluoride, and a small amount of gas that exhibits enhanced ionization characteristics. These mixtures are shown to be the optimum choices for use in diffuse glow discharge closing switches by virtue of the combined physio-electric properties of the mixture components.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel system for producing selectable color bands from a single emission source. More particularly, this invention is directed to a small emission source consisting of a gas discharge means. The emission source in the present invention is preferably a single-ended fused silica capsule which encloses one or more predetermined metal halide salts and an inert gas, preferably argon gas.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low-pressure discharge lamp comprising a discharge vessel defining an airtight space therein, at least one pair of electrodes disposed in the discharge vessel, and discharge gases enclosed in the discharge vessel, one of the electrodes which acts as an anode being located in a zone of negative glow.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp based on a phosphor excited by a molecular discharge is described. The fluorescent lamp comprises a fluorescent lamp coated with a manganese doped magnesium aluminate phosphor on the inside surface of the lamp envelope. The fluorescent lamp contains corrosion resistant filamentary electron emitting electrodes. The fluorescent lamp produces a plasma which emits 206 nm radiation from the molecular discharge of the iodine containing molecular vapors and inert gas fill which in turn excites the phosphor to emit visible light.

Abstract: An electrodeless lamp bulb comprises of a quartz envelope and a fill containing mercury in a ratio of from 0.5-0.9 microliters per milliliter of envelope volume at room temperature. A lamp including such bulb which is powered by microwaves.

Abstract: An optical system for uniformly illuminating a plane surface using a non-uniform source of light, a focusing reflector to direct the light rays emanating from the source, and, optionally, a collimating lens. The collimating lens has its axis coincident with the axis of the reflector and is spaced from the light source so that the limiting aperture of the reflector is at or near the focal point of the collimating lens. A microwave energized source may be used to provide a non-uniform source having the desired characteristics.

Abstract: Gas mixtures for use in spark gap closing switches comprised of fluorocarbons and low molecular weight, inert buffer gases. To this can be added a third gas having a low ionization potential relative to the buffer gas. The gas mixtures presented possess properties that optimized the efficiency spark gap closing switches.

Abstract: An open wide area vacuum ultraviolet lamp for use in microelectronics processing applications employes a ring-shaped cold cathode to produce a trapped electron beam discharge of generally disc-shaped cross section in a low pressure molecular gas environment and without the use of VUV windows.

Abstract: A new diffuse discharge gas switch wherein a mixture of gases is used to take advantage of desirable properties of the respective gases. There is a conducting gas, an insulating gas, and a third gas that has low ionization energy resulting in a net increase in the number of electrons available to produce a current.

Abstract: A tungsten halogen incandescent filament lamp is provided having a fill of inert gas and halogen. In such lamps and especially in lamps provided for studio and theatre applications having operating temperatures between 2200K and 3450K there is a tendency to arc over between the filament limbs. According to the invention this problem can be solved by adding hydrogen gas in an amount between 0.05% and 1% by pressure at 20.degree. C. This hydrogen gas is in addition to any hydrogen which is present as part of the halogen or halogens. A preferred halogen is the solid hydrogen, bromophosphonitrile (PN Br.sub.2).sub.n which introduces phosphorus as a getter into the lamp.

Abstract: The invention is a gas mixture for a diffuse discharge switch which is capable of changing from a conducting state to an insulating state in the presence of electrons upon the introduction of laser light. The mixture is composed of a buffer gas such as nitrogen or argon and an electron attaching gas such as C.sub.6 H.sub.5 SH, C.sub.6 H.sub.5 SCH.sub.3, CH.sub.3 CHO and CF.sub.3 CHO wherein the electron attachment is brought on by indirect excitation of molecules to long-lived states by exposure to laser light.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp is described in which spontaneous excimer UV emission in an inner tube results from reacting an inert gas molecule with a halide molecule in the excited state. The UV emission travels through the inner tube envelope to an outer tube and is absorbed by a fluorescent material, i.e., phosphor, to produce visible light which passes through the outer tube envelope. The halide may be supplied by metal halide pellets or liquid droplets, which when heated by an initial discharge through an inert gas, produces metal halide vapors which dissociate and combine with the inert gas (Xe, Ar, Ne, Kr) in the excited state and result in UV excimer emission.

Abstract: A metal vapor discharge lamp has a burner for sealing xenon gas, mercury and a light-emitting additive in a translucent ceramic tube, a starting device of a thermal switch type which has a series circuit of a thermal switch and a coil filament and which is connected in parallel with the burner, and an outer envelope for sealing the burner and the starting device therein. In the lamp, the following inequalities must be satisfied:13.3.ltoreq.P.multidot.(B/A).ltoreq.6650.05.ltoreq.d.ltoreq.0.122,200.ltoreq.T.ltoreq.2,800where A is the volume (cm.sup.3) of the outer envelope, B is the volume (cm.sup.3) of the burner, P is a gas pressure (Pa) at room temperature of xenon sealed in the burner, d is a diameter (mm) of the coil filament, and T is a temperature (K) of the coil filament during operation.

Abstract: A compact fluorescent lamp has an outer envelope in which there is supported a capsule containing a mercury-free fill comprised of aluminum tribromide. The fill is energized to produce a plasma discharge which emits ultraviolet and visible radiation. Phosphor, in the form of a particulate layer or a gas, converts the ultraviolet into visible light. The lamp may contain electrodes or be electrodeless. In the electrodeless embodiment RF energy may be capacitively or inductively coupled to the fill.

Abstract: An ultraviolet light source includes a volume filled with a dose of AlBr.sub.3 and an inert gas. No mercury is used. During electrical discharge excited states of AlBr.sub.2, and AlBr emit light, with AlBr having a broad ultraviolet emission peaking at about 278 nm. The source may be energized with or without internal electrodes. Phosphors may be employed to convert the ultraviolet to visible light. The lamp's envelope may be aluminosilicate coated quartz.

Abstract: This invention provides a small metal halide lamp which has a power input of 100 W or less, provided with: an arc tube having a pair of electrodes spaced apart from each other and containing a rare gas, mercury, sodium halide and scandium halide therein; and an envelope for housing the arc tube. The mixing ratio of sodium halide to scandium halide based on weight is 3:1 to 10:1, and the total content of the sodium halide and the scandium halide is 10 to 40 mg per unit volume (cc) of the arc tube. At least one phospor selected from the group consisting of a manganese-activated magnesium fluorogermanate phosphor and a cerium-activated yttrium aluminate phosphor is applied to the inner surface of the envelope. In addition, a green-emitting phosphor is preferably coated on the inner surface of the envelope.

Abstract: A spark plug which has a capacitor located therein, connected in parallel to the main or ignition spark gap (13), additional includes a pilot or pre-spark gap (12) located within the insulator (18) of the spark gap, to control discharge of the capacitor (14) through the main spark gap (13). In accordance with the invention, the pre-spark gap (12) is located within a chamber (34) in the insulator which is filled with a pressurized gas, preferably nitrogen under pressure of between 2 to 100 bar, preferably 5 to 30 bar, with the electrodes (27, 27) defining the pre-spark gap being spaced, preferably, between about 0.1 to 1 mm from each other. Placing the pre-spark gap electrodes within a pressurized gas chamber increases the energy available at the main spark gap (13) for ignition even of very lean fuel-air mixtures.

Abstract: An improved composite light source utilizing light from an arc discharge in a deuterium gas atmosphere and that from a tungsten lamp. The composite light source comprises a sealed envelope having a light emitting window made of quartz, in which deuterium gas is filled, an electrode structure to cause an arc discharge in the deuterium gas atmosphere to occur, and a tungsten lamp. The light emitting window, an aperture of a focusing plate for forming an arc discharge, an aperture of the anode, and the filament of the tungsten lamp are sequentially arranged in line at their centers. The composite light source has the optical means to focus the light beam emitted from the tungsten lamp onto the aperture of the focusing plate for forming the arc discharge. In the present invention, useless power consumption to elevate the temperature within the tungsten lamp can be reduced. It extends the life of the light source improving the efficiency of light emission.

Abstract: A high pressure sodium lamp having an inner arc tube operated at an increased wall temperature so as to improve the efficacy of the lamp is disclosed. The improved high pressure sodium lamp has an arc tube which reduces the sodium losses typically experienced by high temperature operation. Also disclosed are desired parameters of the arc tube.

Abstract: A display device employs an electric discharge passing through a mixture of gases to form an excimer that fluoresces in the blue/green region of the optical spectrum.

Abstract: The invention provides a tungsten halogen linear incandescent lamp having a gas fill comprising a mixture of CHI.sub.3 and (PNBr.sub.2).sub.3. Gas fills according to the invention comprise from 6 to 32 micrograms of (PNBr.sub.2).sub.3 per c.c. of the lamp internal volume with a ratio of CHI.sub.3 to (PNBr.sub.2).sub.3 of from 1:1 to 5:1 and result in lamps having a increased efficacy and a life of more than 2,000 hours.