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A discharge device for operation in a gas at a prescribed pressure includes a cathode having a plurality of micro hollows therein, and an anode spaced from the cathode. Each of the micro hollows has dimensions selected to produce a micro hollow discharge at the prescribed pressure. Preferably, each

A discharge device for operation in a gas at a prescribed pressure includes a cathode having a plurality of micro hollows therein, and an anode spaced from the cathode. Each of the micro hollows has dimensions selected to produce a micro hollow discharge at the prescribed pressure. Preferably, each of the micro hollows has a cross-sectional dimension that is on the order of the mean free path of electrons in the gas. Electrical energy is coupled to the cathode and the anode at a voltage and current for producing micro hollow discharges in each of the micro hollows in the cathode. The discharge device may include a discharge chamber for maintaining the prescribed pressure. A dielectric layer may be disposed on the cathode when the spacing between the cathode and the anode is greater than about the mean free path of electrons in the gas. Applications of the discharge device include fluorescent lamps, excimer lamps, flat fluorescent light sources, miniature gas lasers, electron sources and ion sources.

대표청구항 ▼

A light source comprising: a sealed, light-transmissive tube containing a gas at a prescribed pressure, P; a first electrode mounted within said tube, said first electrode comprising a conductor having a plurality of micro hollows therein, each of said micro hollows having dimensions selected to sup

A light source comprising: a sealed, light-transmissive tube containing a gas at a prescribed pressure, P; a first electrode mounted within said tube, said first electrode comprising a conductor having a plurality of micro hollows therein, each of said micro hollows having dimensions selected to support a micro hollow discharge at said prescribed pressure, said first electrode further including a dielectric layer on said conductor, said dielectric layer having openings aligned with said micro hollows; a second electrode mounted within said tube and spaced from said first electrode; and electrical means for coupling electrical energy to said first and second electrodes at a voltage and current for producing micro hollow discharges in each of the micro hollows in said first electrode.