Electrodeless Plasma Lamp Using Focused CW Laser Ignition
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Solution Overview
Problem
High intensity arc lamps face challenges with beam distortion due to curved lamp surfaces, leading to a non-sharply defined focal area, and require both high energy pulsed and continuous wave lasers for ignition and sustainment, increasing cost and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An electrodeless single low power continuous wave (CW) laser driven lamp with a sealed chamber containing an ionizable medium, where a CW laser beam is focused to a small waist size, igniting the plasma without electrodes, using high fill pressures and a flat ingress window to minimize distortion and optimize energy conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a curved lamp surface is used, then the lamp structure is compact and aesthetically pleasing, but beam distortion occurs leading to a non-sharply defined focal area
Solution Approach 1:
The lamp is divided into two distinct optical zones: a curved ignition region for plasma generation and a flat output region for beam emission. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
A flat window or flat optical interface is introduced as an intermediary between the curved plasma chamber and the external environment. This flat interface serves as the optical exit that preserves beam quality while the curved chamber maintains its compact structure.
2Reliability
If both high energy pulsed laser and continuous wave laser are used for ignition and sustainment, then plasma ignition and sustainment are achieved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single continuous wave laser source is designed to perform multiple functions: initial plasma ignition, plasma sustainment, and potential power modulation. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate pulsed and CW laser systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous wave laser parameters (power, pulse duration, focal position) are dynamically adjusted to achieve both ignition and sustainment phases. By varying the power level and temporal characteristics of the CW laser, the system replicates the functionality of both pulsed and continuous operation.
3Reliability
If electrodes are used in the lamp, then plasma ignition is facilitated, but device complexity and potential failure points increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical/electrical electrode system is replaced with an optical ignition mechanism. A focused laser beam serves as the ignition source, eliminating the need for physical electrodes that require electrical connections, sealing, and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser beam acts as an intermediary energy transfer mechanism between the power source and the plasma medium, replacing the direct electrical contact method used by electrodes. This intermediary approach enables ignition without physical intrusion into the sealed chamber.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a precisely focused high intensity light output with reduced complexity and cost by using a single CW laser for both ignition and sustainment, eliminating the need for electrodes and minimizing beam distortion, resulting in a more efficient and robust illumination device.
Implementation Method 1
The device is configured to focus the laser beam to a full width at half maximum (FWHM) beam waist of 1-15 microns and a Rayleigh length of 6 microns or less
Implementation Method 2
The CW laser beam is producible by a CW laser below 250 Watts configured to produce a wavelength below 1100 nm and the plasma is configured to be ignited by the CW laser beam
Implementation Method 3
a sealed chamber configured to contain an ionizable medium and having an ingress window disposed within a wall of a chamber interior surface configured to admit the laser beam into the chamber
Implementation Method 4
a high intensity light egress window configured to emit high intensity light from the chamber
Implementation Method 5
High intensity arc lamps are devices that emit a high intensity beam
Data Source
AI summary
An ignition facilitated electrodeless sealed high intensity illumination device is configured to receive a laser beam from a continuous wave (CW) laser light source. A sealed chamber is configured to contain an ionizable medium. The chamber has an ingress window disposed within a wall of a chamber interior surface configured to admit the laser beam into the chamber, a plasma sustaining region, and a high intensity light egress window configured to emit high intensity light from the chamber. The CW laser beam is producible by a CW laser below 250 Watts configured to produce a wavelength below 1100 nm. The device is configured to focus the laser beam to a full width at half maximum (FWHM) beam waist of 1-15 microns2 and a Rayleigh length of 6 microns or less, and the plasma is configured to be ignited by the CW laser beam.