Ushio America, Inc.

Zoran Falkenstein

Holger Claus

A non-oxidizing electrode arrangement for an excimer lamp that is formed by coating an electrode of the lamp with a layer of protective layer that prevents the electrode from oxidizing. The protective layer is preferably transparent and possesses a low permeability for oxygen (e.g., silicon oxide, magnesium fluoride, calcium fluoride). The interior of the excimer lamp is evacuated to a pressure level that is lower than the pressure level surrounding the excimer lamp at any time during the non-oxidizing electrode formation process in order to assist in preventing the excimer lamp from fracturing.

Non-oxidizing electrode arrangement for excimer lamps

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for heat pipe cooling of an excimer lamp. In one embodiment, a heat pipe is used to dissipate heat from an excimer lamp. The heat pipe is in direct contact with at least one electrode of the excimer lamp. In one embodiment, heat is transferred through the heat pipe to a cooling point that is electrically isolated from the lamp. In one embodiment, dissipation of heat from the cooling point is done by conventional means. In one embodiment, the heat pipe is on the inside of the lamp. In another embodiment, a heat pipe is attached to the outside of an excimer lamp. In another embodiment, two heat pipes are used, one on the inside and one on the outside of an excimer lamp. In yet another embodiment, a heat pipe is used with a flat lamp.

Method and apparatus for heat pipe cooling of an excimer lamp

The present invention provides a DBD lamp used in fluid treatment systems, where the irradiated fluid is used as a low voltage outer electrode instead of a metallic wire mesh. This fluid is in direct contact with the lamp envelope which acts as a two-fold advantage. First, the fluid acts as a strong built-in cooling source. This allows the lamp to be driven at high voltage without forced cooling. Second, the replacement of the wire mesh as the outer electrode by fluid as well as the sleeve eliminates the absorption of radiation from the outer surface of the DBD-driven light source which more than doubles the efficiency of the DBD-driven light source. The inner high voltage electrode remains in the center of the coaxial tube assembly and provides high voltage across the gas to generate excimer formation.

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Foothill Ranch, CA, United States of America

Zoran Falkenstein