Radio Frequency Light Source | Electrical Seminar Topic
Radio Frequency Light Source
RF light sources follow the same principles of converting
electrical power into visible radiation as conventional gas discharge lamps.
The fundamental difference between RF lamps and conventional lamps is that RF
lamps operate without electrodes.
The presence of electrodes in conventional
florescent and High Intensity Discharge lamps has put many restrictions on lamp
design and performance and is a major factor limiting lamp life. Recent
progress in semiconductor power switching electronics, which is revolutionizing
many factors of the electrical industry, and a better understanding of RF plasma
characteristics, making it possible to drive lamps at high frequencies.
There are three practical ways to energize RF light sources,
though there are more ways to create RF plasmas. These three ways correspond to
different types of interaction of electromagnetic fields with the bounded
plasma and to different kinds of RF discharges. They are: capacitive, inductive
and wave sustained discharges.
The most suitable frequency range is 2.2 - 3.0 MHz [2.65MHz
is the standard] for RF lighting devices. An RF generator (RF ballast) is the
essential yet most expensive part of a modern RF lighting system.
