Formation of the Continuous Visible Emission Spectrum of Pulsed Discharge in Cesium Vapor

The formation of a continuous emission spectrum of pulsed discharge in high-pressure cesium vapor (P <= 1 bar) has been experimentally studied under conditions of increased power deposited in discharge. Experimental data well agree with the results of theoretical calculations. Physical mechanisms underlying the observed phenomenon are discussed. It is shown that, as the pumping current pulse amplitude is increased from 15 to 80 A, a discrete line spectrum transforms into the continuous spectrum. This is accompanied by an increase in the light yield (from 15 to 85 lm/W) and color-rendering index (from 86 to 98).