Electrode fall and electric field measurements in high-pressure sodium discharges

Abstract
Measurements of the electric field and of the voltages of very short arc high-pressure sodium discharges (arc tube internal diameter 7.4 mm) have been used to estimate the electrode fall in high-pressure sodium lamps. These data are needed for the design of new ratings of high-pressure sodium lamp. Two methods have been used to avoid the systematic errors in field which result from depletion of the amalgam of sodium at high liquid amalgam temperatures. The electrode voltage fall is approximately independent of electrode construction for emitter coated electrodes at 4 ± 1 V. For pure tungsten electrodes it is 8 ± 1 V. The electrode fall is independent of discharge currents within the range 1-4.45 A.

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