Electrodeless lamp

摘要

An electrodeless lamp comprises an envelope (12) containing a plasma forming fill which includes at least one of sulfur and selenium when excited which emits principally visible light, which is in the form of molecular radiation. The envelope (12) has a diameter of less than one half inch. Means (1) are provided for generating electromagnetic energy. Further means (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) are provided for coupling said electromagnetic energy to said envelope to excite said fill, which in the absence of envelope rotation or with rotation at an insufficient speed, forms a discharge (14) which does not substantially fill the interior volume of said envelope (12). By additional means (13) the envelope (12) is rotated at a fast enough rate so as to cause the discharge (15) formed by the fill to substantially fill the interior volume of the envelope (12).