A glow discharge cell includes an electrically conductive cylindrical vessel, a hollow electrode, a cylindrical screen, a first insulator, a second insulator and a non-conductive granular material. The hollow electrode is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel and extends at least from the first end to the second end of the cylindrical vessel. The hollow electrode has an inlet, an outlet, and a plurality of slots or holes. The cylindrical screen is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel and disposed between the hollow electrode and the cylindrical vessel to form a substantially equidistant gap between the cylindrical screen and the hollow electrode. The first insulator seals the first end of the cylindrical vessel around the hollow electrode. The second insulator seals the second end of the cylindrical vessel around the hollow electrode. The non-conductive granular material is disposed within the substantially equidistant gap.

A glow discharge cell includes an electrically conductive cylindrical vessel, a hollow electrode, a cylindrical screen, a first insulator, a second insulator and a non-conductive granular material. The hollow electrode is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel and extends at least from the first end to the second end of the cylindrical vessel. The hollow electrode has an inlet, an outlet, and a plurality of slots or holes. The cylindrical screen is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel and disposed between the hollow electrode and the cylindrical vessel to form a substantially equidistant gap between the cylindrical screen and the hollow electrode. The first insulator seals the first end of the cylindrical vessel around the hollow electrode. The second insulator seals the second end of the cylindrical vessel around the hollow electrode. The non-conductive granular material is disposed within the substantially equidistant gap.

The present invention provides a glow discharge assembly that includes an electrically conductive cylindrical screen, a flange assembly, an electrode, an insulator and a non-conductive granular material. The electrically conductive cylindrical screen has an open end and a closed end. The flange assembly is attached to and electrically connected to the open end of the electrically conductive cylindrical screen. The flange assembly has a hole with a first diameter aligned with a longitudinal axis of the electrically conductive cylindrical screen. The electrode is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the electrically conductive cylindrical screen and extends through the hole of the flange assembly into the electrically conductive cylindrical screen. The insulator seals the hole of the flange assembly around the electrode and maintains a substantially equidistant gap between the electrically conductive cylindrical screen and the electrode. The non-conductive granular material is disposed within the substantially equidistant gap.

An apparatus and a method for operating a sealed high intensity illumination lamp configured to receive a laser beam from a laser light source. The lamp includes a sealed chamber configured to contain an ionizable medium having a plasma sustaining region, and a plasma ignition region. A high intensity light egress window emits high intensity light from the chamber. A substantially flat ingress window located within a wall of the chamber admits the laser beam into the chamber. The lamp includes means for controlled increasing and decreasing a pressure level within the sealed chamber while the lamp is producing the high intensity illumination.

A glow discharge cell includes an electrically conductive cylindrical vessel, a hollow electrode, a cylindrical screen, a first insulator, a second insulator and a non-conductive granular material. The hollow electrode is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel and extends at least from the first end to the second end of the cylindrical vessel. The hollow electrode has an inlet, an outlet, and a plurality of slots or holes. The cylindrical screen is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel and disposed between the hollow electrode and the cylindrical vessel to form a substantially equidistant gap between the cylindrical screen and the hollow electrode. The first insulator seals the first end of the cylindrical vessel around the hollow electrode. The second insulator seals the second end of the cylindrical vessel around the hollow electrode. The non-conductive granular material is disposed within the substantially equidistant gap.

A glow discharge cell includes an electrically conductive cylindrical vessel, a hollow electrode, a cylindrical screen, a first insulator, a second insulator and a non-conductive granular material. The hollow electrode is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel and extends at least from the first end to the second end of the cylindrical vessel. The hollow electrode has an inlet, an outlet, and a plurality of slots or holes. The cylindrical screen is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel and disposed between the hollow electrode and the cylindrical vessel to form a substantially equidistant gap between the cylindrical screen and the hollow electrode. The first insulator seals the first end of the cylindrical vessel around the hollow electrode. The second insulator seals the second end of the cylindrical vessel around the hollow electrode. The non-conductive granular material is disposed within the substantially equidistant gap.

A system and method for producing steam from an electrically conductive fluid includes: (a) a glow discharge cell, (b) a fluid source, a pump or a valve, and (c) a DC electrical power supply. The glow discharge cell includes an electrically conductive cylindrical vessel having first and second ends, and at least one inlet and one outlet. A hollow electrode is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the vessel and extends at least from the first end to the second end of the vessel. First and second insulators seal the first and second ends, respectively, of the vessel around the hollow electrode and maintain a substantially equidistant gap between the vessel and the hollow electrode. A non-conductive granular material is disposed within the gap. An electric glow discharge is created whenever the cell is connected to the electrical power supply, and the electrically conductive fluid is introduced into the gap.

A system and method for producing steam from an electrically conductive fluid includes: (a) a glow discharge cell, (b) a fluid source, a pump or a valve, and (c) a DC electrical power supply. The glow discharge cell includes an electrically conductive cylindrical vessel having first and second ends, and at least one inlet and one outlet. A hollow electrode is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the vessel and extends at least from the first end to the second end of the vessel. First and second insulators seal the first and second ends, respectively, of the vessel around the hollow electrode and maintain a substantially equidistant gap between the vessel and the hollow electrode. A non-conductive granular material is disposed within the gap. An electric glow discharge is created whenever the cell is connected to the electrical power supply, and the electrically conductive fluid is introduced into the gap.

A system and method for producing first and second steams includes: (a) a glow discharge cell, (b) a fluid source, a pump or a valve, and (c) a DC electrical power supply. The glow discharge cell includes an electrically conductive cylindrical vessel having first and second ends, and at least one inlet and one outlet. A hollow electrode is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the vessel and extends at least from the first end to the second end of the vessel. First and second insulators seal the first and second ends, respectively, of the vessel around the hollow electrode and maintain a substantially equidistant gap between the vessel and the hollow electrode. A non-conductive granular material is disposed within the gap. The hollow electrode heats up during an electric glow discharge and produces the first steam and the second steam.

A system and method for producing first and second steams includes: (a) a glow discharge cell, (b) a fluid source, a pump or a valve, and (c) a DC electrical power supply. The glow discharge cell includes an electrically conductive cylindrical vessel having first and second ends, and at least one inlet and one outlet. A hollow electrode is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the vessel and extends at least from the first end to the second end of the vessel. First and second insulators seal the first and second ends, respectively, of the vessel around the hollow electrode and maintain a substantially equidistant gap between the vessel and the hollow electrode. A non-conductive granular material is disposed within the gap. The hollow electrode heats up during an electric glow discharge and produces the first steam and the second steam.