Design of high power pulsed flash lamps
First Claim
1. A pulsed flash lamp, wherein said pulsed flash lamp is a pulsed broadband lamp and/or a pulsed ultraviolet (PUV) lamp comprising:
- a lamp tube, said lamp tube comprising a radiation transparent material, an inner lamp tube surface, an outer lamp tube surface, a first lamp tube end and a second lamp tube end;
a gas, said gas residing within said lamp tube; and
at least one electrode(s), said electrode(s) residing as least partially within said lamp tube, from which said electrode(s) emanates an electrical discharge in said gas, said discharge having a direction and said discharge creating a plasma channel;
said lamp further comprising at least one of;
a means for providing resistance to forces due to power loading;
a means for enhancing lamp rigidity and strength;
a means for preventing tube resonant oscillations;
a means for reducing tension load in said lamp tube;
a means to limit axial compression forces on said lamp tube;
ora means to absorb, suppress and/or redirect shock waves.
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Abstract
Broadband output high power pulsed flash lamps are useful in many applications, and when specifically optimized, can become an excellent source of ultraviolet (UV) light, which is particularly useful for photo-chemically-induced materials processing applications. Multiple factors involved with the production of high-energy light pulses can in certain cases adversely affect the ultraviolet lamp operation, thereby resulting in the development of micro cracks in lamp envelopes and subsequent limitation in lamp lifetime. Similar factors can be responsible for an increased absorption of UV radiation by lamp components and degradation of lamp efficiency. This invention describes new pulsed flash lamp designs that enable a new generation of high power and performance as required by, for example, many large-scale photo-processing applications. This invention uniquely and advantageously mitigates the development of micro-cracks and failure, and produces dramatically improved electrical efficiency, stability of lamp optical characteristics, and service lifetime.
24 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A pulsed flash lamp, wherein said pulsed flash lamp is a pulsed broadband lamp and/or a pulsed ultraviolet (PUV) lamp comprising:
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a lamp tube, said lamp tube comprising a radiation transparent material, an inner lamp tube surface, an outer lamp tube surface, a first lamp tube end and a second lamp tube end; a gas, said gas residing within said lamp tube; and at least one electrode(s), said electrode(s) residing as least partially within said lamp tube, from which said electrode(s) emanates an electrical discharge in said gas, said discharge having a direction and said discharge creating a plasma channel;
said lamp further comprising at least one of;a means for providing resistance to forces due to power loading; a means for enhancing lamp rigidity and strength; a means for preventing tube resonant oscillations; a means for reducing tension load in said lamp tube; a means to limit axial compression forces on said lamp tube;
ora means to absorb, suppress and/or redirect shock waves. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A pulsed flash lamp comprising:
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a lamp tube, said lamp tube comprising a radiation transparent material having an inner lamp tube surface, an outer lamp tube surface, a first lamp tube end and a second lamp tube end; a gas, said gas residing within said lamp tube; at least two electrodes, said electrodes residing as least partially within said lamp tube, wherein electrical current between said at least two electrode produces an electrical discharge in said gas, said discharge having a direction; at least one second tube, wherein said lamp tube is inside at least part of said second tube or wherein said second tube is over at least part of said lamp tube, and said second tube comprising an inner second tube surface and an outer second tube surface; and a channel between said lamp tube and said second tube;
said pulsed flash lamp further comprising at least one of;a means for providing resistance to forces due to multiple pulse power loading; a means for enhancing lamp rigidity and strength; a means for preventing tube resonant oscillations; a means for reducing tension load in said lamp tube; a means to limit axial compression forces on said lamp tube;
ora means to absorb, suppress and/or redirect shock waves.
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Specification