There is provided an electrodeless plasma lamp and confinement member for an electrodeless plasma lamp. The lamp comprises a lamp body with an input coupling element, with one end coupled to an RF source and the other end coupled to a first ground potential. An output coupling element is received substantially within the lamp body and spaced apart from the input coupling element and from the top of the lamp body, wherein one end of the output coupling element is coupled to a second ground potential and the other end of the output coupling element at the top of the lamp body is coupled to a gas filled vessel. An electromagnetic confinement member extends away from the lamp body and surrounds it for reducing emission of electromagnetic waves below a predetermined threshold frequency, and includes a plurality of apertures formed therein.

There is provided an electrodeless plasma lamp and confinement member for an electrodeless plasma lamp. The lamp comprises a lamp body with an input coupling element, with one end coupled to an RF source and the other end coupled to a first ground potential. An output coupling element is received substantially within the lamp body and spaced apart from the input coupling element and from the top of the lamp body, wherein one end of the output coupling element is coupled to a second ground potential and the other end of the output coupling element at the top of the lamp body is coupled to a gas filled vessel. An electromagnetic confinement member extends away from the lamp body and surrounds it for reducing emission of electromagnetic waves below a predetermined threshold frequency, and includes a plurality of apertures formed therein.

An ultraviolet mercury low-pressure amalgam lamp includes a tube having a first end and a second end, a first electrode placed in the first end of the tube, and a second electrode placed in the second end of the tube, whereby when the lamp is energized a discharge path is formed between the first and second electrodes. At least one amalgam deposit is adjacent to one of the first and second electrodes out of the discharge path between the first and second electrodes. The tube has at least one constriction, wherein the at least one amalgam deposit is placed behind the constriction with respect to the discharge path such that the at least one amalgam deposit is protected by the constriction from the heat emitted by the electrodes.

Improved ultraviolet field-emission lamps can be safely deployed close to people because they eliminate the use of toxic materials, mitigate heating issues, and emit light in a wavelength range that is safe for human exposure.

Improved ultraviolet field-emission lamps can be safely deployed close to people because they eliminate the use of toxic materials, mitigate heating issues, and emit light in a wavelength range that is safe for human exposure.

An embodiment of a system includes an RF signal source, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a cavity configured to receive an electrodeless bulb. The RF signal source is configured to generate an RF signal. The first electrode is configured to receive the RF signal and to convert the RF signal into electromagnetic energy that is radiated by the first electrode. The cavity is defined by first and second boundaries that are separated by a distance that is less than the wavelength of the RF signal so that the cavity is sub-resonant. The first electrode is physically positioned at the first boundary, and the second electrode is physically positioned at the second boundary. The first electrode, the second electrode, and the cavity form a structure that is configured to capacitively couple the electromagnetic energy into the electrodeless bulb when the electrodeless bulb is positioned within the cavity.

An embodiment of a system includes an RF signal source, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a cavity configured to receive an electrodeless bulb. The RF signal source is configured to generate an RF signal. The first electrode is configured to receive the RF signal and to convert the RF signal into electromagnetic energy that is radiated by the first electrode. The cavity is defined by first and second boundaries that are separated by a distance that is less than the wavelength of the RF signal so that the cavity is sub-resonant. The first electrode is physically positioned at the first boundary, and the second electrode is physically positioned at the second boundary. The first electrode, the second electrode, and the cavity form a structure that is configured to capacitively couple the electromagnetic energy into the electrodeless bulb when the electrodeless bulb is positioned within the cavity.

An ultraviolet mercury low-pressure amalgam lamp includes a tube having a first end and a second end, a first electrode placed in the first end of the tube, and a second electrode placed in the second end of the tube, whereby when the lamp is energized a discharge path is formed between the first and second electrodes. At least one amalgam deposit is adjacent to one of the first and second electrodes out of the discharge path between the first and second electrodes. The tube has at least one constriction, wherein the at least one amalgam deposit is placed behind the constriction with respect to the discharge path such that the at least one amalgam deposit is protected by the constriction from the heat emitted by the electrodes.

A discharge lamp includes a discharge vessel. A xenon gas is sealed within the discharge vessel so as to serve as a light emitting gas, the discharge vessel is made from quartz glass, a pair of electrodes are arranged so as to face each other in the discharge vessel, and the discharge vessel has a chip portion. The chip portion is made from a glass member that has a composition different from that of the discharge vessel, and the glass member has a transmittance of 50% or more over a wavelength range from 170 nm to 300 nm.

A discharge lamp includes a discharge vessel. A xenon gas is sealed within the discharge vessel so as to serve as a light emitting gas, the discharge vessel is made from quartz glass, a pair of electrodes are arranged so as to face each other in the discharge vessel, and the discharge vessel has a chip portion. The chip portion is made from a glass member that has a composition different from that of the discharge vessel, and the glass member has a transmittance of 50% or more over a wavelength range from 170 nm to 300 nm.