Discharge lamp operating apparatus and method

摘要

An apparatus for operating a high intensity discharge lamp that minimizes discharge arc curvature to form a straight discharge arc and thereby eliminates variations in the discharge arc color caused by cataphoresis is disclosed. The apparatus outputs a synthesize wave having a waveform with a frequency component of the acoustic resonance frequency to excite a mode straightening the discharge arc, and a waveform of a frequency less that the acoustic resonance frequency whereby the polarity of the waveform having a frequency less than the acoustic resonance frequency changes. The acoustic resonance frequency is determined by the speed of sound in the discharge space, and the length of the discharge space intersecting the discharge arc. <IMAGE>