Xenon arc

Description

A light source consisting of two electrodes enclosed in a Quartz bulb filled with Xenon gas. Xenon arc lamps were invented in the 1940's in Germany but not sold commercially until 1951 by Osram. Uniquely, the xenon arc lamp provides a constant light that is unaffected by voltage changes. Their spectral output is described as simulating sunlight combined with north sky light. Xenon lamps are used as high-intensity light sources in motion picture projectors, as studio spotlights, photographic flash lamps, and as light sources in accelerated aging chambers.

Synonyms and Related Terms

lampada allo xeno (It.)

Resources and Citations

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 652

• ASTM, Standard Terminology Relating to Natural and Artificial Weathering Tests of Nonmetallic Materials, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Section 14, General Methods and Instrumentation, ASTM, G113, 1371-1373, Sep-94

• Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Dictionary of Fiber & Textile Technology (older version called Man-made Fiber and Textile Dictionary, 1965), Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Charlotte NC, 1990

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenon_arc_lamp (accessed Mar. 10, 2006)