Time resolved measurements of cathode fall in high frequency fluorescent lamps
Abstract
Measurements are presented of the time resolved cathode and anode falls of high frequency fluorescent lamps for a range of discharge currents typically encountered in dimming mode. Measurements were performed with the movable anode technique. Supporting spectroscopic emission measurements were made of key transitions (argon 420.1 nm and mercury 435.8 nm), whose onset coincide with cathode fall equalling the value associated with the energy, relative to the ground state, of the upper level of the respective transition. The measurements are in general agreement with the well-known understanding of dimmed lamp operation: peak cathode fall decreases with increasing lamp current and with increasing auxiliary coil heating. However, the time dependence of the measurements offers additional insight.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Physics D Applied Physics
- Pub Date:
- November 2007
- DOI:
- 10.1088/0022-3727/40/22/018
- Bibcode:
- 2007JPhD...40.6975H