Spectra of Pulsed and Continuous Xenon Discharges*

Abstract

Spectral distributions over the range 0.35 to 1.1 μ were measured for representative pulsed and continuous-burning xenon arc lamps. Optical conversion efficiencies were computed for several spectral regions. Measurements were taken at different current densities ranging from 37 A/cm2 for the dc lamps to 5300 A/cm2 for the pulsed. Color and brightness temperatures ranged from 5000°K to 40 000°K. At high current densities the xenon arc has a higher efficiency (up to 65%) and a continuum which masks its line structure.