Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.V.

Hindrik Hermannus Stel

Pieter C Ooms

Ronald Arjan Van Den Brakel

Johannes Theodorus Jacobus Van Haastrecht

Willem Johannes Van Den Bogert

Jeroen Jan Wits

Cornelis De Putter

A low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp is provided with a discharge vessel ( ). The discharge vessel comprises tubular end portions ( &prime;), which each have a longitudinal axis ( &prime;). The discharge vessel ( ) encloses a discharge space ( ) containing a filling of mercury and an inert gas in a gastight manner. Electrodes ( &prime;) are arranged in the discharge space ( ). An auxiliary amalgam is provided on a carrier ( &prime;) in the proximity of the electrodes ( &prime;). According to the invention, a part of the carrier ( &prime;) is arranged in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis ( &prime;). Preferably, a stem ( &prime;) in the tubular end portion ( &prime;) carries, apart from the electrode ( &prime;), a support in the form of a wire ( &prime;) or an extended exhaust tube, which support carries the carrier ( &prime;). In an alternative embodiment, the carrier is clamped directly onto the stem. Preferably, the carrier ( &prime;) is electrically insulated with respect to the electrode. Preferably, a distance d between the carrier ( &prime;) and the electrode ( &prime;) lies in the range 1&lE;d&lE;3 mm. According to the invention, the discharge lamp has a relatively short run-up time.

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Eindhoven, Netherlands

Hindrik Hermannus Stel