An RF fluorescent lamp, comprising a bulbous vitreous portion of the RF fluorescent lamp comprising a vitreous envelope filled with a working gas mixture, a power coupler to induce an alternating electric field within the vitreous envelope, an electronic ballast, and a mercury amalgam accommodating structure mounted within the lamp envelope and adapted to absorb power from the electric field to rapidly heat and vaporize an amalgam of mercury to rapidly illuminate the lamp envelope during a turn-on phase of the RF fluorescent lamp, wherein the structure is comprised of a substrate material coated with a mixture of indium and gold.

An RF fluorescent lamp, comprising a bulbous vitreous portion of the RF fluorescent lamp comprising a vitreous envelope filled with a working gas mixture, a power coupler to induce an alternating electric field within the vitreous envelope, an electronic ballast, and a mercury amalgam accommodating structure mounted within the lamp envelope and adapted to absorb power from the electric field to rapidly heat and vaporize an amalgam of mercury to rapidly illuminate the lamp envelope during a turn-on phase of the RF fluorescent lamp, wherein the structure is comprised of a substrate material coated with a mixture of indium and gold.

A gas inlet suitable in particular for use in an ion thruster includes a housing which is made of a gas-tight ceramics material, and an insert which is arranged in the housing and is made of a porous ceramics material. The geometry and pore structure of the insert are such that the insert forms a desired flow resistance for a gas stream flowing through the insert.

A gas inlet suitable in particular for use in an ion thruster includes a housing which is made of a gas-tight ceramics material, and an insert which is arranged in the housing and is made of a porous ceramics material. The geometry and pore structure of the insert are such that the insert forms a desired flow resistance for a gas stream flowing through the insert.

Various embodiments are directed to a method of manufacturing a lighting device. In one example, the method comprises providing a glass envelope having one or more openings, inserting a first device component through one of the one or more openings, and providing at least one of the one or more openings with a glass cap by way of melt-joining. Prior to melt-joining the first device component is moved to a position within the glass envelope away from the at least one of the one or more openings. The first device component is repositioned and/or expanded within the glass envelope after melt-joining.

Various embodiments are directed to a method of manufacturing a lighting device. In one example, the method comprises providing a glass envelope having one or more openings, inserting a first device component through one of the one or more openings, and providing at least one of the one or more openings with a glass cap by way of melt-joining. Prior to melt-joining the first device component is moved to a position within the glass envelope away from the at least one of the one or more openings. The first device component is repositioned and/or expanded within the glass envelope after melt-joining.

A dimmable induction RF fluorescent lamp comprising a dimming circuit enabling the induction RF fluorescent lamp to dim in response to a signal from an external dimming circuit, and having a main mercury amalgam having a vapor pressure at room temperature which is higher than the vapor pressure of the mercury amalgam formed on the flag.

A dimmable induction RF fluorescent lamp comprising a dimming circuit enabling the induction RF fluorescent lamp to dim in response to a signal from an external dimming circuit, and having a main mercury amalgam having a vapor pressure at room temperature which is higher than the vapor pressure of the mercury amalgam formed on the flag.

An RF fluorescent lamp, comprising a bulbous vitreous portion of the RF fluorescent lamp comprising a vitreous envelope filled with a working gas mixture, a power coupler to induce an alternating electric field within the vitreous envelope, an electronic ballast, and a mercury amalgam accommodating structure mounted within the lamp envelope and adapted to absorb power from the electric field to rapidly heat and vaporize an amalgam of mercury to rapidly illuminate the lamp envelope during a turn-on phase of the RF fluorescent lamp, wherein the structure is comprised of a substrate material coated with a mixture of indium and gold.

An RF fluorescent lamp, comprising a bulbous vitreous portion of the RF fluorescent lamp comprising a vitreous envelope filled with a working gas mixture, a power coupler to induce an alternating electric field within the vitreous envelope, an electronic ballast, and a mercury amalgam accommodating structure mounted within the lamp envelope and adapted to absorb power from the electric field to rapidly heat and vaporize an amalgam of mercury to rapidly illuminate the lamp envelope during a turn-on phase of the RF fluorescent lamp, wherein the structure is comprised of a substrate material coated with a mixture of indium and gold.