ELECTRODE STRUCTURE FOR ELECTRON EMISSION, DISCHARGE LAMP, AND DISCHARGE LAMP APPARATUS

摘要

An electrode structure for electron emission capable of reducing the transition time from glow discharge to arc discharge, which can elongate the service life of electrodes and prevent blackening of inner walls of bulbs when used in discharge lamps and discharge lamp apparatus. The electrode structure (3A) for electron emission comprises an electron emitter (5) composed of an aggregate of granules (51), which emits electrons from its exposed surface heated by discharge, and convergence means arranged in contact at least partly with, or close at least partly to, the exposed surface of the electron emitter (5) so that discharges can be converged to the exposed surface. The electrode structure (3A) can be used in a discharge lamp (1) and a discharge lamp apparatus (9) that uses the discharge lamp (1).