Bhk, Inc.

Hughes Aircraft Company

Alta Advanced Technologies, Inc.

Steven H Boland

John S Goldner

James F Weaver

Jacques F Linder

Charles W Lewis

T Lyle Brady

Therlyn L Brady

Steven G Boland

Walter D Chapman

A low pressure Ultra Violet (UV) light source produces a high intensity output proportional to the inside diameter and length of a arc discharge column. The light source includes a cathode and anode contained within a high density ceramic body and a sapphire window mounted in line with the arc discharge column. The anode is in line with the arc column at the end opposite the sapphire window, and the cathode is disposed to an area outside the arc discharge column to which the arc moves through an aperture in the side of the arc discharge column structure. As the electrons move through the low pressure gas ionization of the gas occurs releasing photons in the UV region of the spectrum. The sum of the photons generated at each location along the arc discharge column produces the high intensity UV radiation that exits the lamp through a sapphire window.

Long arc column gas discharge tube

Operation of a vapor lamp light source for instrumentation utilizes a lamp manager controller for instant-on and precise temperature control to enhance and control output at specified wavelengths by monitoring and discriminating the spectral output of the lamp, and adjusting lamp current and temperature to maintain specific wavelength and light flux. Specific wavelengths can be selected and the wavelength automatically monitored for output level by control of a cold spot by an electrothermal device and a monitor. Lamp temperature, current and flux level at a selected wavelength are controlled.

Instant-on vapor lamp and operation thereof

A lamp configuration particularly for infrared radiation provides an internal arrangement and environment adapted to overcome failure modes of prior art broad band infrared sources, and may incorporate optical elements including spectral filters and lenses enabling wavelength selection, beam shaping, external focusing, collimating, and wave front shaping. It also facilitates optical coupling to external devices including a rotating mirror, shutter and modulator devices.

Filament lamp infrared source

A low pressure gas discharge lamp of the capillary bore type is equipped with a temperature control system whereby the electrode containment section and the light output section of the lamp are at higher temperatures than the capillary bore section. Vapor flow from the higher temperature sections to the relatively low capillary bore section maintains a satisfactory vapor fill in the bore section for attainment of a high light output. In one arrangement, the temperature control system includes a heater and a heat sink at selected points along the lamp envelope. In another form of the invention, the control system is solely a heat sink in thermal contact with the capillary bore section.

Gas discharge lamp temperature control

A miniature gas discharge lamp having a direct physical connection with an end portion of an external optical fiber. Light generated within the lamp is directed against an end face of the optical fiber to cause light rays to travel within and along the fiber. The lamp has an elongated straight passage for containment of a radiation-producing gas, the passage being axially aligned with the optical fiber so that substantially all of the photon energy generated within the passage is optically connected to the end face of the fiber.

Gas discharge light source

A water-cooled low pressure gas or mercury vapor lamp which utilizes a cooling system to keep the lamp cool in the area where useful radiation is emitted. This is accomplished by means of a cooling chamber directly adjacent to the gas or mercury vapor discharge chamber. A cooling fluid is injected into the cooling chamber through a cooling inlet and exits the cooling chamber through a cooling outlet after traveling the cooling chamber's entire length. The cooling fluid removes the heat generated by the radiation and allows the useful emission to be optimized.

Growing community of inventors

Glendora, CA, United States of America

Steven H Boland