Abstract: A method and apparatus for initiating and maintaining an abnormal glow volumetric sonoplasma discharge (VSPD). With certain parameters of the electrical discharge and of the intensity of elastic vibrations, it is possible to initiate VSPD within a cavitating liquid medium. The mechanism for the initiation of VSPD is related to the breakdown of gas phase microchannels formed by growth cavitation bubbles. The method for continuous processing uses elastic vibrations in the frequency range 1-100 kHz with enough intensity for the development of cavitation phenomena; these vibrations are introduced into the liquid phase working medium, and a source of direct, alternating, high frequency and ultrahigh frequency electric field in liquid provides the initiation and stable glow of VSPD. Resulting VSPD is characterized by volumetric glow in the frequency range of visible light and ultraviolet radiation in the entire cavitational-electric field and has a rising volt-ampere characteristic curve.

Abstract: An electromagnetic pulse device having a conductive coil, and optionally a conductive core disposed within the coil and spaced apart there from. One or more plasma discharge devices are disposed at least partially along a length of the conductive coil and are spaced apart from the conductive coil. A spark gap or similar device is attached to the plasma discharge devices to activate them to produce a traveling electric discharge. The discharge creates a traveling short circuit in the conductive coil thereby compressing the magnetic field. The result is the production of an electromagnetic pulse. Further disclosed is a method for producing an electromagnetic pulse.

Abstract: The induction coil core used for an induction coil of a discharge lamp, the discharge lamp including: a bulb containing discharge gas inside; and the induction coil for generating an electromagnetic field with a frequency in a range of 50 kHz to 1 MHz inclusive in the bulb. The core is made of a Mn—Zn polycrystalline ferrite and has a Curie temperature of 270° C. or more.

Abstract: An rf capacitively-coupled electrodeless light source is provided. The light source comprises a hollow, elongated chamber and at least one center conductor disposed within the hollow, elongated chamber. A portion of each center conductor extends beyond the hollow, elongated chamber. At least one gas capable of forming an electronically excited molecular state is contained within each center conductor. An electrical coupler is positioned concentric to the hollow, elongated chamber and the electrical coupler surrounds the portion of each center conductor that extends beyond the hollow, elongated chamber. A rf-power supply is positioned in an operable relationship to the electrical coupler and an impedance matching network is positioned in an operable relationship to the rf power supply and the electrical coupler.

Abstract: An illumination unit including an electrodeless low-pressure discharge lamp (20) and a supply device (50). The lamp has a discharge vessel (30) which encloses in a gastight manner a discharge space (31) which is provided with an ionizable filling. The lamp (20) further has a coil (40) provided with a winding (42) around a sintered core (41) of polycrystalline ferrite material, which winding (42) is connected to the supply device (50). The coil (40) is capable of inducing a high-frequency magnetic field which maintains a discharge in the discharge space (31). The losses in the core (41), when measured at room temperature in a magnetic field with a frequency of 3 MHz and a magnetic flux density of 10 mT, amount to at most 150 mW/cm.sup.3. This has the advantage that the lamp (20) ignites comparatively quickly and loads the supply device (50) comparatively weakly during ignition. The supply device (50) as a result can have a comparatively long useful life.

Abstract: A protection circuit for non-isolated ballasts that drive gas discharge lamps to prevent shock hazards. The device acts to prevent excessive leakage currents from flowing between the ballast and ground by introducing a higher common mode impedance path in the circuit. A two stage common mode filter assembly has a first common mode inductor series connected to a second common mode inductor. A first capacitor is connected across the common mode inductors. A second capacitor is connected between the junction of the first capacitor, the first inductor, the second inductor and ground. The circuit protects by reducing high frequency leakage currents.

Abstract: In a plasma processing s including a processing chamber and plate-parallel electrodes, provided in the processing chamber, for generating a high-frequency electric field in response to a high-frequency voltage, a ring-shaped core is provided in the periphery of the processing chamber, and a toroidal coil includes a plurality of 2n split coils wound in all the periphery of the ring-shaped core so that each pair of split coils oppose to each other. An alternating-current power source for generating a plurality of n-phase alternating-current currents including a plurality of n currents having a phase difference of either .pi./n or 2.pi.

Abstract: An excitation coil for an electrodeless fluorescent lamp of the type having a core of insulating material, is made of a metal having a low thermal expansion coefficient which is plated with a high-conductivity metal. An insulating coating is applied over the metal plating. An exemplary coil includes a molybdenum wire, plated with silver, and finally coated with alumina. The result is a thermally stable excitation coil that maintains its shape, even at high operating temperatures, and hence maintains its impedance characteristic over the operating range of the lamp.

Abstract: An improved plasma arc reactor is provided with variably positionable electrodes, including a cylindrical anode electrode having an inner, frustoconical cavity providing a reaction chamber and a spherical cathode ball electrode mounted therein. Between these electrodes an arc discharge is induced and sustained to heat and ionize an inert gas to produce an arc plasma for refining raw material introduced into the reaction chamber. A magnetic induction coil is mounted around the outer diameter of the anode electrode to thereby establish a magnetic field to rotate the arc discharge and plasma within the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Crossed-field plasma mode electric conduction control device 10 has an interelectrode space 16 between anode 12 and cathode 14 in which is produced a magnetic field 38 by coil 28. Electrons produced at region 46 travel through the crossed-fields to region 48, with cascading ionization to produce an electrically conductive plasma. The electrons are lost at region 48 and plasma density is controlled by magnetic field strength to control magnitude of interelectrode current.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for reducing the rate of erosion of electrodes between which an arc is sustained by the provision of a field coil around the electrode which is supplied with direct current and the oscillation of that direct current supply at a frequency in the range 5.times.10.sup.-1 to 1.times.10.sup.-4 Hz.

Abstract: A discharge lamp with minimized upward bowing of the arc in which conductors carrying full arc current are placed in close proximity above and below the arc tube. The conductors run parallel with the longitudinal axis of the arc tube and the conductors above the arc are electrically connected in such a manner as to carry full lamp current in the opposite direction of the arc, thus repelling the arc in a downward direction, and the conductor or conductors below the arc tube are electrically connected so as to carry full lamp current in the same direction of the arc, thus attracting the arc downward.

Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent lamp adapted for economical substitution in place of existing incandescent lamps comprises an ionizable medium contained within a phosphor coated globular envelope. A closed loop, magnetic core, which may be ferrite, is contained within the ionizable medium to induce an electric field, ionize the medium, and stimulate visible light output. The core, which may be coated with glassy material, is energized by a radio frequency power source in the lamp base structure. Current from the power supply is transmitted to the core by means of a metal rod structure which also serves to transfer heat from within the envelope. A secondary winding on the core provides high starting voltages to initiate a glow discharge.

Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent lamp adapted for economical substitution in place of an existing incandescent lamp comprises an ionizable medium contained within a phosphor coated globular envelope. A closed loop magnetic core transformer, contained within a reentrant cavity in the base of the envelope, induces a radio frequency electric field which ionizes the medium to stimulate production of visible light output from the phosphor. A tubular extension of the envelope traverses the cavity, linking the core with a column of ionizable medium, to form a "secondary winding" on the transformer. A base assembly, attached to the envelope, supports a lamp plug for receipt of input energy. A radio frequency power supply, contained within the base assembly, provides electric current to a primary winding on the core.

Abstract: An induction-ionized, electrodeless fluorescent lamp comprises a phosphor coated, globular envelope. An ionizable gas is contained in the envelope to produce radiation which excites the phosphor to produce light. A closed loop, magnetic core lying partially within and partially without the envelope couples radio frequency energy into the gas to produce ionization. The core may be bonded to a metal strap or enclosed in a metal container to improve heat transfer from the surrounding air. Primary windings and heat radiators are attached to the core outside the lamp envelope thereby eliminating the feed-through structures of other lamp embodiments.A radio frequency power supply and lamp base plug are attached to the envelope providing a lamp which is physically and electrically compatible with existing incandescent-type lamp equipment.

Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent lamp, suitable for substitution in place of existing incandescent lamps, comprises a gas filled toroidal envelope assembly removably mounted around a cylindrical ballast assembly. The ballast supplies radio frequency energy which induces electric current flow within the envelope and stimulates the emission of visible light. A toroidal transformer, which may have a ferrite core, is contained within a constriction on the envelope toroid and couples the energy to the gas. Heat generated within the envelope and transformer is conducted through the ballast to a radiator. The heated surfaces of the ballast and envelope form a chimney which induces air flow over the radiator.