A ballast transformer and system using the ballast transformer to couple power to a plasma load. The ballast transformer has a magnetic core, a first primary winding on a primary side of the magnetic core, a secondary winding on a secondary side of the magnetic core, and a second primary winding connected in series with the first primary winding and wound in proximity to the secondary winding on the secondary side of the magnetic core. The first primary winding is connectable to the AC power source, and the secondary winding is connectable to the plasma load via a coaxial cable.

A ballast transformer and system using the ballast transformer to couple power to a plasma load. The ballast transformer has a magnetic core, a first primary winding on a primary side of the magnetic core, a secondary winding on a secondary side of the magnetic core, and a second primary winding connected in series with the first primary winding and wound in proximity to the secondary winding on the secondary side of the magnetic core. The first primary winding is connectable to the AC power source, and the secondary winding is connectable to the plasma load via a coaxial cable.

The present invention provides a bulb (100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 140′) an excitation chamber (200, 210, 220, 230, 230′) a ferrite core (300, 310, 310′), a spool (400, 410); an assembly or subassembly of such components, and a lamp (100, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1600′, 1600″, 1700, 1800) for producing electromagnetic radiation, such as in the light spectrum, UV or IR.

The present invention provides a bulb (100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 140′) an excitation chamber (200, 210, 220, 230, 230′) a ferrite core (300, 310, 310′), a spool (400, 410); an assembly or subassembly of such components, and a lamp (100, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1600′, 1600″, 1700, 1800) for producing electromagnetic radiation, such as in the light spectrum, UV or IR.

A system for determining an operational state of an atmospheric pressure plasma. The system has a transformer for coupling power into the atmospheric pressure plasma, a current sampling circuit configured to sample at least one current pulse flowing through a primary winding of the transformer, and a programmed microprocessor configured to determine, from a waveform of the current pulse, the operational state of the atmospheric pressure plasma. The operational state is one of: a no plasma state, a plasma origination state indicative of an ignited arc expanding into a plasma by gas flow thereinto, and a plasma maintenance state indicative of the plasma being expanded.

A system for determining an operational state of an atmospheric pressure plasma. The system has a transformer for coupling power into the atmospheric pressure plasma, a current sampling circuit configured to sample at least one current pulse flowing through a primary winding of the transformer, and a programmed microprocessor configured to determine, from a waveform of the current pulse, the operational state of the atmospheric pressure plasma. The operational state is one of: a no plasma state, a plasma origination state indicative of an ignited arc expanding into a plasma by gas flow thereinto, and a plasma maintenance state indicative of the plasma being expanded.

The present invention provides a bulb (100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 140′) an excitation chamber (200, 210, 220, 230, 230′) a ferrite core (300, 310, 310′), a spool (400, 410); an assembly or subassembly of such components, and a lamp (100, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1600′, 1600″, 1700, 1800) for producing electromagnetic radiation, such as in the light spectrum, UV or IR.

The present invention provides a bulb (100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 140′) an excitation chamber (200, 210, 220, 230, 230′) a ferrite core (300, 310, 310′), a spool (400, 410); an assembly or subassembly of such components, and a lamp (100, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1600′, 1600″, 1700, 1800) for producing electromagnetic radiation, such as in the light spectrum, UV or IR.

A ballast transformer and system using the ballast transformer to couple power to a plasma load. The ballast transformer has a magnetic core, a first primary winding on a primary side of the magnetic core, a secondary winding on a secondary side of the magnetic core, and a second primary winding connected in series with the first primary winding and wound in proximity to the secondary winding on the secondary side of the magnetic core. The first primary winding is connectable to the AC power source, and the secondary winding is connectable to the plasma load via a coaxial cable.

A ballast transformer and system using the ballast transformer to couple power to a plasma load. The ballast transformer has a magnetic core, a first primary winding on a primary side of the magnetic core, a secondary winding on a secondary side of the magnetic core, and a second primary winding connected in series with the first primary winding and wound in proximity to the secondary winding on the secondary side of the magnetic core. The first primary winding is connectable to the AC power source, and the secondary winding is connectable to the plasma load via a coaxial cable.