Capacitively coupled RF fluorescent lamp with RF magnetic enhancement

摘要

A fluorescent light source includes a fluorescent lamp having first and second electrodes at or near the ends thereof for capacitive coupling of RF electrical energy to a low pressure discharge within the fluorescent lamp and an RF source having a first output lead electrically coupled to the first electrode and a second output lead electrically coupled to the second electrode. The electrodes include circuitry for inducing an RF magnetic field within the fluorescent lamp in the region of the electrodes. The RF magnetic field improves the performance of the capacitively coupled RF light source by creating an auxiliary inductive RF discharge near the capacitive coupling electrodes. The inductive discharge locally increases the plasma density and the electrode sheath capacitance and provides a reduction in RF voltage across the capacitively coupled fluorescent lamp.