Abstract: Apparatus for inactivating the source of microwaves for an electrodeless lamp to prevent accidental release of microwaves into the environment as a result of failure to assemble the lamp with a conductive mesh. An electrodeless lamp which is provided with a gas manifold for directing a stream of cooling gas against a lamp envelope is provided with a gas leak passageway which is blocked when the conductive mesh assembly is in place. A pressure switch in fluid communication with the gas manifold is activated and prevents operation of the microwave source when pressure is reduced as a result of gas leaking through the gas leak passageway.

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

Abstract: An electrodeless lamp bulb of modified shape for providing more uniform emission of radiation. In the preferred embodiment the bulb is primarily in the shape of a sphere, but has at least a non-spherical portion comprised of diametrically opposed relatively flattened portions.A microwave generated electrodeless lamp which incorporates the improved bulb provides more spatially uniform radiation at an illumination plane.

Abstract: An electrodeless lamp which couples to a small bulb and obtains a relatively high light output therefrom. A cavity which comprises a compound resonant structure including vestibule and reflector portions is provided. The combination of vestibule and reflector results in a condition of resonance throughout the cavity, whereby strong fields are coupled to the small bulb and a reflector is provided for directing and enhancing light output.

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: Display device includes a cathode ray tube having an envelope 1 with a number of reference surfaces on the walls of V-shaped grooves provided on positioning studs 14. The deflection unit 10 is provided with adjustable camming members 15 which lie against respective reference surfaces. The position of the deflection unit 10 relative to the envelope 1 can be adjusted by rotating camming members 15.

Abstract: An electrodeless high intensity arc discharge lamp employs an excitation coil comprised of a high-temperature metal, such as tungsten or molybdenum, wound directly on the hot quartz envelope of the arc tube within the interior of the outer glass envelope of the lamp, thereby requiring substantially lower current and voltage from the power supply than such lamps having external excitation coils, while emitting less electromagnetic noise. The excitation coil losses are comparable to those of the external excitation coils or prior electrodeless high intensity arc discharge lamps.

Abstract: Disclosed are an annular light source unit using electrodeless discharge and a method of lighting the same. The unit comprises an annular electrodeless discharge tube, a bowl-shaped microwave cavity device, and a plurality of microwave oscillators. The cavity unit is disposed in such a manner as to cover substantially the whole outer surface of the discharge tube excluding an underside thereof. The unit has slit antennas at a plurality of portions thereof prepared by dividing into substantially equal parts a whole circumferential portion thereof facing a whole circumferential surface of the discharge tube. The method comprises the step of individually sequentially starting the operations of the microwave oscillators after the stabilization of the discharge at a portion of the discharge tube in the vicinity of the corresponding slit antenna due to supply, therefrom, of microwave powers transmitted from the immediately preceding microwave oscillator.

Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp device has an envelope in which a gas that discharges to emit light upon application of a high frequency voltage is sealed, the envelope including two straight pipe parts forming a circulating discharge path, so that a high frequency electric current is caused to flow throughout the discharging gas in the entire envelope and a uniform discharge light emission can be attained.

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 illuminated aerial marker for a high voltage transmission line using a spherical colored opaque capacitor with neon lamps in series or series/parallel or parallel, exterior to the capacitor with one electrode of the lamps connected to the high voltage source and the other to the conductive area of the capacitor or capacitors.

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for generating plasma (ionizing gas) by a propagating surface wave. The device comprises a wave launching structure mounted on a plasma vessel and connected to an impedance matching network. The latter comprises a coupler and a tuner which is either formed by a section of a transmission line or is of the lumped circuitry type. The launching structure may either generate an azimuthally symmetric or a non symmetric propagating wave. This invention also relates to a method and a device for shaping plasma which comprises a plasma vessel receiving a surface wave generator and having a serviceable portion of a size and/or shape substantially different from the shape and/or size of the portion of the plasma vessel receiving the wave generator.

Abstract: An envelope, containing a torus-shaped arc of a high-intensity-discharge electrodeless arc lamp has a shape, in a vertical plane, with a sidewall formed of a truncated conical portion, with apex located in a downward position with respect to the cone portion utilized. The upper and lower enclosing surfaces are of convex form and are smoothly joined to the truncated conical side wall of the envelope. In one presently preferred embodiment, the sidewall has a dual truncated conical form, with each truncated cone section having an apex located outside of the arc envelope and with the larger diameter section ends joined together, to allow the lamp to operate either with a base-down or a base-up disposition.

Abstract: A discharge tube adapted to produce a light by an extraneous high frequency electromagnetic field is heated before discharge to thereby improve the rising-up of the discharge and achieve uniformization of emitted light. Further, the discharge tube is heated by an electrode which applies a high frequency electromagnetic field to the discharge tube.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus includes a discharge tube for emitting light upon an application of an external high frequency wave electromagnetic field, an electrode, arranged outside the discharge tube, for applying the high frequency wave electromagnetic field to the discharge tube, a high frequency wave applying unit for supplying high frequency wave power to the electrode, and a projected portion extending from the discharge tube. The projected portion extends to a position where the high frequency wave electromagnetic field generated by the electrode has a level lower than a discharge initiation level. The high frequency wave power is controlled by changing a voltage, a frequency, a duty ratio or the like.

Abstract: A system for instantaneously ionizing and continuously delivering energy in the form of surface waves to a low pressure gas or mixture of low pressure gases, comprising a source of rf energy, a discharge container, (such as a fluorescent lamp discharge tube), an rf shield, and a coupling device responsive to rf energy from the source to couple rf energy directly and efficiently to the gas or mixture of gases to ionize at least a portion of the gas or gases and to provide energy to the gas or gases in the form of surface waves. The majority of the rf power is transferred to the gas or gases near the inner surface of the discharge container to efficiently transfer rf energy as excitation energy for at least one of the gases. The most important use of the invention is to provide more efficient fluorescent and/or ultraviolet lamps.

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: In a high-frequency discharge apparatus utilizing a discharge tube positioned between an electrode and a ground plane, the electrode is shaped so as to increase the uniformity of the electric field across the discharge tube. Furthermore, a transmission line is formed between a conductor connected to the electrode and the ground plane, and impedance matching in the transmission line is provided by metal and/or dielectric tuning slugs inserted between the conductor and the ground plane.

Abstract: High pressure xenon is used as a buffer gas in an electrodeless sodium iodide arc lamp. Very high efficacies are achieved by using an arc tube with rounded edges and by surrounding a portion of the arc tube with quartz wool. The arc tube may also contain small amounts of mercury iodide.

Abstract: The invention comprises a fluid-tight light box containing a cold cathode light source activated by a high frequency ballast circuit small enough to be contained in the box.At least the box bottom interior is coated with a crinkle or matte finish to cause uniform brightness at or adjacent to a window in the upper side of the box. The ballast circuit is preferably also coated to avoid shadow effects.A milky element may comprise the window or be positioned adjacent thereto to comprise a light diffuser for a transparency adjacent thereto or the transparency may be coated on its reverse side with a diffuser coating.This display or portrait exhibitor may measure less than 2 inches thick and this is the reason the light reflective path and materials are so critical.

Abstract: A microwave powered electrodeless light source in which a relatively high power level is coupled to the bulb. This is accomplished by arranging for a plurality of energy modes which are substantially de-coupled from each other to be present in the microwave cavity.

Abstract: An RF excited gas discharge laser (10) is operated by an RF exciting power supply (12,14) having a frequency established at the selected pumping frequency of the laser. This pumping frequency is displaced from the resonant frequency of the laser itself and is provided via an impedance matching circuit (16) from the output of a high power amplifier (14) to which is fed the relatively low power output of the RF oscillator (12) of the power supply. The required starting voltage, of magnitude greater than the magnitude of the laser running voltage, is provided to ignite the laser by momentarily shifting the frequency of the RF oscillator to a frequency substantially the same as the resonant frequency of the laser and shifting the oscillator frequency back to its normal pumping frequency after laser ignition.

Abstract: A DC-AC converter for igniting and supplying a low-pressure discharge lamp, e.g. an electrodeless low-pressure gas discharge lamp. The converter has two input terminals (9, 10) for connection to a d.c. voltage source. The input terminals are connected to a series arrangement controlled semiconductor switching element (12), a first coil (14) and a parallel circuit having the discharge lamp 15 in one of its branches. The control electrode and a main electrode of the controlled semiconductor switching element are connected together by means of a secondary winding (21) of a transformer (17) having a primary winding (16) that forms a part of the parallel circuit. The converter includes a starter circuit comprising a resistor (28) connected between a main electrode and the control electrode of the semiconductor switching element and a capacitor (29) coupled between the control electrode and one end of the secondary winding (21) of the transformer.

Abstract: A new method and apparatus for driving a neon display tube or the like. The tube, containing an ionizable gas, has only a single cathode element at one end in contact with the gas. A power source connected to ionize the gas and cause illumination thereof wherein the power source is connected to the single cathode element and produces alternating voltage referenced to ground potential and of sufficient frequency to cause the gas to ionize through the natural surrounding capacitance between the ionized gas and ground potential. In the preferred embodiment, the power source produces an increasing voltage ramp output whereby the ionization of the gas in the tube moves as a localized ionization along the tube in a direction away from the single cathode element.

Abstract: An electrodeless low-pressure discharge lamp comprising a glass lamp vessel (1) which is sealed in a gas-tight manner and is filled with a metal vapor and a rare gas, this lamp vessel being provided with a tubular protuberance (2) which accommodates a rod-shaped core (3) of magnetic material surrounded by a wire winding (4) connected to a high-frequency supply unit, by means of which during operation of the lamp an electrical discharge is maintained in the lamp vessel, the inner side of the lamp vessel being provided with a transparent conductive layer (10), which is electrically connected by means of a lead-through member (12) to a conductor, such as a metal rod (11) provided in the core (3), located outside the lamp vessel, this lead-through member (12) being located at the end of the tubular protuberance, and being electrically connected to the internal conductive layer, for example by means of a wire spring (15).

Abstract: An electrodeless low-pressure discharge lamp comprising a lamp vessel (1) which is sealed in a vacuum-tight manner and is filled with a metal vapor (for example mercury) and a rare gas, this lamp being provided with a core (4) of magnetic material (for example ferrite), while during operation of the lamp, and electric field is produced in the lamp vessel by means of a winding arranged to surround this core and a high-frequency supply unit connected thereto, the lamp vessel further being provided with an internal transparent conductive layer (11) and an external conductive layer (12), which during operation of the lamp is connected to one of the mains conductors and which together with the internal conductive layer (11) forms a capacitor.

Abstract: An electrodeless low-pressure discharge lamp comprising a glass lamp vessel sealed in a gas-tight manner and filled with a metal vapor and a rare gas, and a winding on a ferrite core. During lamp operation an electrical discharge is maintained in the lamp vessel by the winding connected to a high-frequency supply. The winding is surrounded by a thin-walled cylindrical metal body or layer which is electrically insulated from the winding, is interrupted at at least one area and is connected during operation of the lamp to one of the power mains conductors.

Abstract: The output of an alkali vapor lamp for use in an optical pumping system is stabilized by use of a feedback circuit which regulates current flow from a power supply to an electronic power oscillator used to excite the alkali vapor lamp. Starting of the alkali vapor lamp is facilitated by increasing supply current to the oscillator until the alkali vapor lamp is lit.

Abstract: A re-entrant, low-pressure, electrodeless lamp apparatus includes two identical re-entrant center conductors driven in quadrature, resulting in a matched lamp input impedance in both the off and on states nearly independent of incident microwave power.

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: An electrodeless low-pressure discharge lamp having a lamp vessel (1), a core (3) of magnetic material, a first winding (7) arranged to surround the core and connected to a high-frequency supply unit (4), one of the lead-in wires of this winding being electrically connected to a lead-in wire of a second winding (11) with a free end (12), while during operation of the lamp the potential drop between the ends of the second winding is substantially equal to the potential drop between the ends of the first winding and the potential drops in the two windings vary in opposite senses. Interference currents at the supply mains to which the lamp is connected are then strongly suppressed.

Abstract: An electrodeless metal vapor discharge lamp comprising a lamp vessel (1) which is sealed in a vacuum-tight manner and is further filled with a rare gas, which lamp is provided with a core (4) of magnetic material, in which a high-frequency magnetic field can be induced by means of an electric supply unit (7) and a winding (5) arranged to surround the core, an electric field being produced in the lamp vessel (1), the surface area of a cross-section orthogonal to the axis of the winding lying between 20 mm.sup.2 and 60 mm.sup.2, the lamp vessel (1) containing as rare gas krypton and/or argon at a pressure of at most 100 Pa, and the axial length of the winding lying between 8 and 15 mm.

Abstract: An electrodeless lighting system (10) is provided for converting electromagnetic energy whose spectrum is within the ultraviolet bandwidth into energy within the visible bandwidth of the electromagnetic spectrum through excitation of fluorescent composition coatings (20). The lighting system (10) provides for an excitation mechanism (12) which generates an enclosed magnetic field, an induced electrical field, and a radiating electrical field, where the induced electrical field is substantially parallel and in the same direction as the magnetic field. Both the magnetic and induced electrical fields are applied at substantially the same frequency for accelerating and directing electrons for collision with gas composition atoms contained within a closed contour gas housing (14) and in particular within a gas housing chamber (16). An electrostatic shield (26) substantially encompasses the excitation mechanism (12) is provided for containing the radiating electrical field within the lighting system (10).

Abstract: In a microwave discharge light source apparatus for effecting discharge of an electrodeless discharge lamp held in a cavity which causes resonance by microwaves, the wall surface of the cavity resonator is constituted by a mesh and wires constituting the mesh, are electrically connected at each crossing point without resistance of contact. Effective discharging of the lamp is attainable and the cavity has a mechanically strengthened structure.

Abstract: An electrodeless low-pressure discharge lamp comprising a lamp vessel (1) sealed in a vacuum-tight manner and filled at least with a metal vapor and a rare gas, the lamp being provided also with a cylindrical core (2) of magnetic material, such as ferrite, a winding (4) arranged to surround the core (2) and an electrical supply unit connected thereto for producing during operation of the lamp an electrical field in the lamp vessel (1). The supply unit is located in a thin-walled metal housing (8) provided in a wall portion (9) of synthetic material, which is partly of conical shape and is provided at its end with an Edison lamp cap (10), and the core (2) accommodates a rod-shaped or tubular body (11) of thermally conducting material connected to the housing (8). In order to improve the ignition properties of the lamp, an electrical insulator (12) is provided between the end of the body (11) and the wall of the housing (8).

Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp having an ultraviolet radiation transmission envelope containing a plasma-forming medium. The envelope is formed from two different types of quartz, one of which blocks transmission of ultraviolet radiation 253 nm and shorter, and the other of which transmits radiation of 253 nm or shorter. The quartz which transmits the short wavelength radiation serves as a window for transmitting into the envelope ultraviolet having a wavelength short enough to initiate ionization of the plasma-forming medium within the envelope.

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: A microwave powered electrodeless light source which is powered by two magnetrons which are excited successively.

Abstract: A ballast circuit for a fluorescent lamp including a rectifier-filter for coupling to an AC power supply to generate a DC voltage, an oscillator circuit coupled to said DC voltage for developing an RF oscillator signal, and switching signal means for developing concurrent oppositely phased switching signals at the frequency of said oscillator signal to drive series connected power transistors. The common output of the power transistors is coupled to energize a fluorescent lamp coil and regenerative feedback means for generating a signal to aid in switching the power transistors.

Abstract: An electrodeless discharge resonance lamp for producing light by microwave excitation of gas molecules is disclosed. The lamp comprises a head having a passage therethrough and a gas inlet port in communication with the passage. A window is removable mounted in the passage and a collimator is removably mounted in the passage adjacent and exterior to the window. Gas flow tubing is positioned in the passaged such that one end of the tubing is located between the gas inlet port and the window and the other end of the tubing extends out of the opposite passage. The tubing is smaller than the inside diameter of the passage to allow gas to flow therebetween. Finally, there are means for removably securing the tubing in place and microwave excitation means in communication with the tubing adjacent and exterior to the head.

Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent lamp having a core of magnetic material surrounded by a coil for producing a high-frequency magnetic field in a lamp vessel surrounding the core and coil. An amalgam holder is located in the vessel, in the region surrounding the core where the electric discharge is formed so that the amalgam is heated directly by the discharge. Substantially all the mercury contained in this amalgam is released quickly after the lamp is turned on, so that the light output rises rapidly.

Abstract: For illuminating an area of a structure which is prone to explosion due to dust or vapors in the atmosphere, a system includes fluorescent type lighting devices which are energized by radio frequency energy without any physical connection to the lighting devices. The lighting devices include sealed envelopes having fluorescent material on the inner wall surfaces, and containing a gas which responds to external radio frequency electromagnetic radiation to excite the fluorescent material and produce visible light. The lighting devices are mounted within the structure by insulating brackets and may be mounted within impact resistant protective enclosures. The lighting devices are energized by radiating devices of electromagnetic energy which are mounted adjacent to the several lighting devices within the explosion prone area, and which are supplied with radio frequency electromagnetic energy through appropriate means from a generating source remote from or outside of the explosion prone area.

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

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing deep UV photolithography which utilizes a microwave generated electrodeless light source for producing deep UV radiation. This results in faster semiconductor exposure times and less system downtime for changing failed bulbs as well as other advantages which are detailed herein.

Abstract: Amorphous magnetic metal alloys are processed by annealing at temperatures sufficient to achieve stress relief and cooling in directed magnetic fields or in zero magnetic fields. The ac and dc properties of magnetic cores produced in accordance with the processes of the invention may be tailored to match those of a wide range of magnetic alloys. Alloys processed in accordance with the invention provide improved performance in inductors, transformers, magnetometers, and electrodeless lamps.

Abstract: A microwave generated electrodeless light source for producing a bright output comprising a lamp structure including a microwave chamber and a plasma medium-containing lamp envelope having a maximum dimension which is substantially less than a wavelength disposed therein. To provide the desired radiation output the interior of the chamber is coated with a UV-reflective material and the chamber has an opening for allowing UV radiation to exit, which is covered with a metallic mesh. The chamber is arranged to be near-resonant at a single wavelength, and the lamp envelope has a fill including mercury at an operating pressure of 1-2 atmospheres, while a power density of at least 250-300 (watts/cm.sup.3) is coupled to the envelope to result in a relatively high deep UV output at a relatively high brightness.

Abstract: A microwave generated electrodeless lamp using a single magnetron, and an improved lamp envelope therefor. An elongated lamp envelope containing a plasma forming medium is disposed in a microwave chamber comprised of a reflector and mesh. The reflector includes a pair of coupling slots, each of which is disposed equidistant from the ends of the lamp envelope. A waveguide means is provided which has a wall which is comprised of a portion of the reflector which includes the slots, and has means for introducing microwave energy thereto at an area equidistant from the two slots so that the energy couples equally to the slots. When the frequency of the microwave energy and chamber dimensions are arranged so that a symmetrical standing wave exists in the chamber, a balanced system results wherein after a short start-up period, approximately equal light output is obtained from the respective ends of the lamp envelop.

Abstract: A microwave generated plasma light source including a microwave generator, a microwave cavity having a light reflecting member forming at least a portion of the cavity, and a member transparent to light and opaque to microwaves disposed across an opening of the cavity opposite the feeding opening through which the microwave generator is coupled. An electrodeless discharge bulb is disposed at a position in the cavity such that the cavity operates as a resonant cavity at least when the bulb is emitting light. In the bulb is encapsulated at least one discharge light emissive substance. The bulb has a shape and is sufficiently small that the bulb acts substantially as a point light source.