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Xenon short-arc lamp: Difference between revisions
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A '''xenon short-arc lamp''' is a [[light sources|light source]] used for projection. Light is produced by electricity arcing between tungsten electrodes in a quartz envelope that contains highly compressed xenon gas. Most of the light is generated by a plasma ball that forms at the tip of the cathode. For maximum light output, the lamp is aligned so that this plasma ball is positioned as close as possible to the focal point of the [[reflector]]. This is one of the steps taken to calibrate overall [[optical alignment]]. | A '''xenon short-arc lamp''' is a [[light sources|light source]] used for projection. Light is produced by electricity arcing between tungsten electrodes in a quartz envelope that contains highly compressed xenon gas. Most of the light is generated by a plasma ball that forms at the tip of the cathode. For maximum light output, the lamp is aligned so that this plasma ball is positioned as close as possible to the focal point of the [[reflector]]. This is one of the steps taken to calibrate overall [[optical alignment]]. | ||
In the past, xenon lamphouses employed both vertical and horizontal lamp configurations. Vertical lamps had the benefit of a longer lifespan but were comparatively inefficient, and required an auxiliary mirror in addition to the main reflector to maximize light output. In all modern lamphouses, the lamp is installed horizontally, laying flat with the anode end pointing to the screen. Horizontal lamps have better light output and are easier to align, but they have a greater tendency to flicker because the flow of the heated xenon gas within the envelope draws the arc upward. To mitigate this, a magnet is installed below the lamp to stabilize the arc.<sup>1</sup> | In the past, xenon [[lamphouses]] employed both vertical and horizontal lamp configurations. Vertical lamps had the benefit of a longer lifespan but were comparatively inefficient, and required an auxiliary mirror in addition to the main reflector to maximize light output. In all modern lamphouses, the lamp is installed horizontally, laying flat with the anode end pointing to the screen. Horizontal lamps have better light output and are easier to align, but they have a greater tendency to flicker because the flow of the heated xenon gas within the envelope draws the arc upward. To mitigate this, a magnet is installed below the lamp to stabilize the arc.<sup>1</sup> | ||
The quality of light emitted from a xenon lamp closely resembles that of natural sunlight | The quality of light emitted from a xenon lamp closely resembles that of natural sunlight. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
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In practice, their packaging is secure enough that it can be very difficult to destroy the lamp in this fashion. | In practice, their packaging is secure enough that it can be very difficult to destroy the lamp in this fashion. | ||
==See Also== | |||
[[Lamphouses]] | |||
[[Carbon Arc lamp]] | |||
[[Light sources]] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||