An electrodeless laser-driven light source includes a laser that generates a CW sustaining light. A pump laser generates pump light. A Q-switched laser crystal receives the pump light generated by the pump laser and generates pulsed laser light at an output in response to the generated pump light. A first optical element projects the pulsed laser light along a first axis to a breakdown region in a gas-filled bulb comprising an ionizing gas. A second optical element projects the CW sustaining light along a second axis to a CW plasma region in the gas-filled bulb comprising the ionizing gas. A detector detects plasma light generated by a CW plasma and generates a detection signal at an output. A controller generates control signals that control the pump light to the Q-switched laser crystal so as to extinguish the pulsed laser light within a time delay after the detection signal exceeds a threshold level.

An electrodeless laser-driven light source includes a laser that generates a CW sustaining light. A pump laser generates pump light. A Q-switched laser crystal receives the pump light generated by the pump laser and generates pulsed laser light at an output in response to the generated pump light. A first optical element projects the pulsed laser light along a first axis to a breakdown region in a gas-filled bulb comprising an ionizing gas. A second optical element projects the CW sustaining light along a second axis to a CW plasma region in the gas-filled bulb comprising the ionizing gas. A detector detects plasma light generated by a CW plasma and generates a detection signal at an output. A controller generates control signals that control the pump light to the Q-switched laser crystal so as to extinguish the pulsed laser light within a time delay after the detection signal exceeds a threshold level.

An excimer lamp is such that that an interior of a discharge vessel is filled with a first gas including krypton (Kr) or xenon (Xe); a second gas including chlorine (Cl) or bromine (Br); and a third gas which is at least one species selected from among the group consisting of argon (Ar), neon (Ne), and helium (He), and which exhibits a partial pressure P.sub.b that is not less than a partial pressure P.sub.lg of the first gas.

An excimer lamp is such that that an interior of a discharge vessel is filled with a first gas including krypton (Kr) or xenon (Xe); a second gas including chlorine (Cl) or bromine (Br); and a third gas which is at least one species selected from among the group consisting of argon (Ar), neon (Ne), and helium (He), and which exhibits a partial pressure P.sub.b that is not less than a partial pressure P.sub.lg of the first gas.

To improve startability in a UV irradiation apparatus equipped with excimer lamps. The UV irradiation apparatus includes a plurality of excimer lamps each having a light-emitting tube filled with a discharge gas containing a noble gas. The plurality of excimer lamps includes a first excimer lamp filled with the discharge gas at a first enclosed gas pressure and a second excimer lamp filled with the discharge gas at a second enclosed gas pressure lower than the first enclosed gas pressure. The first excimer lamp is placed in a position such that at least part of light emitted from the second excimer lamp is allowed to enter the first excimer lamp.

To improve startability in a UV irradiation apparatus equipped with excimer lamps. The UV irradiation apparatus includes a plurality of excimer lamps each having a light-emitting tube filled with a discharge gas containing a noble gas. The plurality of excimer lamps includes a first excimer lamp filled with the discharge gas at a first enclosed gas pressure and a second excimer lamp filled with the discharge gas at a second enclosed gas pressure lower than the first enclosed gas pressure. The first excimer lamp is placed in a position such that at least part of light emitted from the second excimer lamp is allowed to enter the first excimer lamp.

An excimer bulb assembly, with an excimer bulb, at least one integral captured reflector, and an integral filter such that the excimer bulb only emits substantial UV radiation between 200 nm and 230 nm, using a filter that passes light from about 200 nm to 234 nm (+/−2 nm).

A method and apparatus for a sealed high intensity illumination device are disclosed. The device is configured to receive a laser beam from a laser light source. The device has a sealed chamber configured to contain an ionizable medium. The chamber has a substantially flat ingress window disposed within a wall of the integral reflective chamber interior surface configured to admit the laser beam into the chamber, a plasma sustaining region, a plasma ignition region, and a high intensity light egress window configured to emit high intensity light from the chamber. The chamber has an integral reflective chamber interior surface configured to reflect high intensity light from the plasma sustaining region to the egress window. There is a direct path of the laser beam from the laser light source through the lens and ingress window to the lens focal region.

A method and apparatus for a sealed high intensity illumination device are disclosed. The device is configured to receive a laser beam from a laser light source. The device has a sealed chamber configured to contain an ionizable medium. The chamber has a substantially flat ingress window disposed within a wall of the integral reflective chamber interior surface configured to admit the laser beam into the chamber, a plasma sustaining region, a plasma ignition region, and a high intensity light egress window configured to emit high intensity light from the chamber. The chamber has an integral reflective chamber interior surface configured to reflect high intensity light from the plasma sustaining region to the egress window. There is a direct path of the laser beam from the laser light source through the lens and ingress window to the lens focal region.

The invention is directed to a sealed high intensity illumination device configured to receive a laser beam from a laser light source. A sealed chamber is configured to contain an ionizable medium. The chamber includes a reflective chamber interior surface having a first parabolic contour and parabolic focal region, a second parabolic contour and parabolic focal region, and an interface surface. An ingress surface is disposed within the interface surface configured to admit the laser beam into the chamber, and an egress surface disposed within the interface surface configured to emit high intensity light from the chamber. The first parabolic contour is configured to reflect light from the first parabolic focal region to the second parabolic contour, and the second parabolic contour is configured to reflect light from the first parabolic contour to the second parabolic focal region.