DIELECTRIC BARRIER DISCHARGE LAMP, AND A METHOD AND CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENT FOR IGNITING AND OPERATING THIS LAMP

摘要

The invention relates to an elongate electrode of a dielectric barrierdischarge lamp which is separated by means of a gap (L)into two partialelectrodes (A, A'). Both partial electrodes (A, A') are controlled during anignition phase in such a way that an auxiliary discharge ignites in the regionof the electrode gap (L); facilitating the ignition of the main discharge (E)especially when the lamp is in the dark. In normal operation, the partialelectrodes (A,A') are controlled in such a way that they assist with theproduction of the main discharge (E).