A new pollution-free wide-angle efficient source of visible light of high brightness by using the 'open'
discharge in inert gases has been developed. Direct excitation of phosphor screen by runaway electron
beam is its principal feature. About 80%% of energy deposited into the discharge is carried by runaway
electron beam.
The optimization of construction features of the light source has been carried out. As a result, the
efficiency of more than 30 lm/W and brightness of more than 20000 cd/$\m^2$ have been obtained. Furthermore,
as experimentally shown, the intensity of a 'back' light flux from the phosphor surface in the direction of the
electron beam is 2-3 times higher than the light flux intensity behind the phosphor screen. The evaluative
calculations have confirmed these results. Thus, the application of special phosphor arrangement allows one
to increase a total light yield and provide the source efficiency, comparable with the mercury-containing
photoluminescent lamps. Constructive simplicity and respective low cost of the light source advantageously
distinguish it from other cathodoluminescent lamps.
This work has been carried out under support of RFBR grants 02-02-08069 and 1713.2003.2.
Document number: 2004 -21/760
Authors: S.G. Belostotsky, D.V. Lopaev, E.A. Muratov, A.T. Rakhimov, V.B. Saenko
Email: VSaenko@mics.msu.su