Low pressure discharge lamp and reducing agent for such a lamp

摘要

Low-pressure discharge lamp (1) comprises a discharge vessel (2) containing two electrodes (18) and filled with mercury and at least one inert gas. A reducing agent (20) binds oxygen present in the discharge vessel between room temperature and 900 degrees C and reduces mercury oxide. An Independent claim is also included for a reducing agent for the above discharge lamp comprising a substance A containing oxygen at room temperature and a substance B which under discharge conditions and higher temperatures up to 900 degrees C reduces the oxide of substance A and mercury oxide and binds free oxygen. Preferred Features: Substance A is Fe and substance B is or contains Zr. The mixing ratio of Fe:Zr is about 4:1. Substance A contains oxides and substance B is selected so that it reduces these oxides and mercury oxide and stores oxygen. Substance A is a metal or a metal compound forming no amalgam. Substance B is a substance whose oxide has a higher binding energy than the oxide of substance A or mercury oxide.