Electrodeless lamps and UV sources

Abstract

"Electrodeless" discharge lamps have several advantages compared to lamps containing electrodes, including longer life, improved lumen maintenance, lamp efficacy, flexibility of lamp design, the use of chemical doses that would interact with electrodes, and improved electrical control. Although the concept of electrode lamps was first demonstrated by Tesla in 1891, the first commercially viable electrodeless fluorescent lamps did not appear in the market until the early 1990s and electrodeless HID lamps a decade later. Prior to that time, the development of electrodeless lamps had been hindered by the lack of inexpensive and efficient electronics. Electrodeless lamps are also finding increasing use as UV sources, particularly so-called excilamps, for degradation of organic pollutants and microbe deactivation.