Compact fluorescent light source and method of excitation thereof.

摘要

Method and apparatus for general illumination wherein high frequency power is capacitively coupled to a low pressure discharge. A discharge lamp (30) includes an envelope (36) which is typically pear-shaped with a re-entrant cavity (38). The lamp envelope (36) encloses a fill material which forms during discharge a plasma which emits ultraviolet radiation and has an effective electrical impedance. The lamp envelope (36) typically includes on its inner surface a phosphor coating (42). An outer conductor (32), typically a conductive mesh, is disposed around the outer surface of the lamp envelope (36). A solid or hollow inner conductor (34) is disposed in the re-entrant cavity (38). The apparatus is configured so that the capacitive impedance associated with coupling of high frequency power from the conductors to the discharge is much less than the plasma impedance.