Microwave energized plasma lamp with dielectric waveguide

摘要

A plasma lamp including a waveguide body including at least one dielectric material with a dielectric constant greater than approximately 2 . The body is coupled to a microwave source which causes the body to resonate in at least one resonant mode. At least one lamp chamber integrated with the body contains a bulb with a fill forming a light-emitting plasma when the chamber receives power from the resonating body. A bulb either is self-enclosed or an envelope sealed by a window or lens covering the chamber aperture. Embodiments disclosed include lamps having a drive probe and a feedback probe, and lamps having a drive probe, feedback probe and start probe, which minimize power reflected from the body back to the source both before each plasma is formed and after it reaches steady state.