Investigation of the effect of a protective layer on parameters of quartz low-pressure gas-discharge lamps with oxide electrodes

Abstract

Low pressure amalgam lamps are widely used for disinfection of air and water surfaces. The application of amalgam instead of pure mercury makes it possible to design a high-efficiency powerful ultraviolet lamp and to improve the ecological impact of disinfection equipment. This paper describes the effect of oxide electrodes and a quartz inner surface on the lifetime of a lamp and on the ultraviolet-intensity reduction in low pressure lamps. We show that the burning time of the noble-gas arc discharge at a low pressure depends on the interaction between the discharge plasma and the inner quartz surface. Use of a rare-earth-metal-oxide protective layer on the inner quartz surface increases the lifetime of the lamp and prevents ultraviolet-intensity reduction in low-pressure amalgam lamps.