Discharge device having cathode with micro hollow array
US6346770B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 22, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 12, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 22, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/2383
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.