Abstract

The present disclosure provides a new and innovative microplasma-based lamp driven by molecular-atomic or atomic-atomic excitation transfer. These lamps are capable of efficiently generating light in the visible, UV, and VUV spectral regions because they are based on the transfer of energy from a molecule (or atom) to a different atomic or molecular species through a collision in the gas phase. An exemplary plasma lamp may include a lamp body which includes a top portion, a middle portion having an internal hollow space filled with an energy-"donor" gas (or vapor) and an energy-"acceptor" chemical element (also a gas or vapor), and a bottom portion. The lamp body may further include a plurality of microcavities situated within the internal hollow space..

IPC Classes  ?

• H01J 61/16 - Selection of substances for gas fillingsSpecified operating pressure or temperature having helium, argon, neon, krypton, or xenon as the principle constituent
• H01J 61/38 - Devices for influencing the colour or wavelength of the light
• H01J 9/24 - Manufacture or joining of vessels, leading-in conductors, or bases
• H01J 61/06 - Main electrodes

Abstract

A plasma lamp is provided that employs excitation transfer between two atomic or molecular species so as to preferentially produce light at a specific atomic or molecular emission wavelength. The lamp includes a lamp body. The lamp body includes a top portion, a middle portion having an internal hollow space filled with an energy-donor chemical gas and an energy-acceptor chemical element, and a bottom portion. The lamp body further includes an array of a plurality of cavities connected to the internal hollow space. The internal hollow space and the array of the plurality of cavities are spaced apart from outer surfaces of the lamp body. The plasma lamp is configured to excite the energy-donor chemical gas by an ignition of a low-temperature plasma within the internal hollow space and the array of the plurality of cavities to cause an excitation transfer from the excited energy-donor chemical gas to the energy-acceptor chemical element, thereby emitting radiation having a wavelength of about 194 nm when mercury (Hg) is the energy-acceptor chemical element and helium (He) serves as the donor. Other wavelengths in the ultraviolet (UV) and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) spectral regions are generated when other donor and acceptor atoms or molecules are employed. These lamps are well-suited as optical drivers for atomic clocks (such as the 40.5 GHz Hg ion clock), photochemical processing of materials, disinfection of water, air, and surfaces, as well as other applications requiring UV or VUV light.

IPC Classes  ?

• H01J 61/20 - Selection of substances for gas fillingsSpecified operating pressure or temperature having a metallic vapour as the principal constituent mercury vapour
• H01J 61/06 - Main electrodes
• H01J 61/16 - Selection of substances for gas fillingsSpecified operating pressure or temperature having helium, argon, neon, krypton, or xenon as the principle constituent
• H01J 61/35 - VesselsContainers provided with coatings on the walls thereofSelection of materials for the coatings
• G04F 5/14 - Apparatus for producing preselected time intervals for use as timing standards using atomic clocks

Abstract

A lamp including a first and second lamp substrate with a first and second external electrode, respectively, and a first and second internal phosphor coating, respectively, wherein the first phosphor coating is a phosphor monolayer. A method of manufacturing a lamp, including screen-printing a phosphor monolayer on a first lamp substrate; screen-printing a phosphor layer on a second lamp substrate; joining the phosphor-coated faces of the first and second lamp substrates together with a seal; and joining a first and second electrode to the uncoupled exterior faces of the first and second lamp substrates, respectively.

IPC Classes  ?

• H01J 1/62 - Luminescent screensSelection of materials for luminescent coatings on vessels

Abstract

A method of forming a planar emissive device, such as a flat fluorescent lamp or plasma display panel, including the steps of applying a frit paste including spherical spacers onto a broad face of a first planar substrate; setting the frit paste; coupling a second planar substrate to the frit paste; and flowing the frit paste to form a seal between the first and second substrate, wherein the gap size between the first and second substrate is substantially defined by the spacer diameter.

IPC Classes  ?

• H01J 9/00 - Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric discharge tubes, discharge lamps, or parts thereofRecovery of material from discharge tubes or lamps
• H01L 51/56 - Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of such devices or of parts thereof