Pyrometric cathode temperature measurements in metal halide lamps

Time-averaged temperature distributions along the electrodes of vertically operated high-intensity discharge lamps with cylindrical quartz burners filled with mercury and additives of NaI, TlI and DyI3 have been measured. The lamps have been driven by 120 Hz switched-dc currents between 0.4 and 1.78 A and the measurements have been performed during the cathodic phase at the lower electrode. All considered currents are characterized by a diffuse arc attachment. For the correction of disturbing effects the measured distributions have been fitted with solutions of the quasi-one-dimensional and steady-state energy balance of a rod-shaped tungsten cathode. A model of the near-cathode layer in a multi-species plasma has been applied for the determination of the boundary layer characteristics where the work function has been treated as a free parameter. The required plasma component concentrations have been estimated from spectroscopic measurements in the arc column. The fit procedure includes the adjustment of the extension of the lateral arc attachment region which has a distinct impact on the determined tip temperature, power input from the plasma into the cathode and the work function. For the latter the tungsten value has been verified in the pure Hg lamp, but strong deviations result in the case of a TlI admixture. The lamp with DyI3 clearly shows the gas-phase emitter effect of lowering the work function induced by Dy.