An Elementary Arc Model of the High Pressure Sodium Lamp

Abstract

This study describes the results of a highly simplified analysis that includes all of the energy loss and other processes believed to be important in the HPS lamp. Also included are two processes, not hitherto considered by others, that permit sufficiently rapid computation to explore the independent effects of a wide range of variables, and are sufficiently accurate to be used for lamp design purposes. The author describes the processes considered, outlines the assumptions, and gives the equations that result. Some of the results obtained are also described.