Short-arc lamp with alternating current drive

Claim 1

An improved alternating current lamp of the short-arc type comprising: a body formed of a dielectric material; a concave reflector fitted within the body to define a curved reflecting wall symmetrical about a central axis of the lamp; a transparent window assembly sealing mounted to the body transverse to said central axis to maintain pressurized gas within the space encompassed by the curved reflector and to pass collimated light from the lamp; first and second opposed electrodes mounted to extend along said central axis with the distal tip ends of said electrodes being spaced apart from one another in opposed relationship to define a short-arc gap with the midpoint of the short-arc gap located at the focal point of the concave reflector; and means connected to the respective electrodes to convey alternating current electric to the electrodes to provide an alternating luminscent flow of electrons across said short-arc gap between the tips of the first and second electrodes, such that deterioration of the electrodes is uniform and reduced with the midpoint of the short-arc gap remaining at the focal point of the concave reflector.