Modeling of high pressure discharge lamps including electrodes

Electrode behavior in high pressure discharge lamps (HID), although understood qualitatively, is still not well understood quantitatively. Traditional models using different layers in front of the cathode are based on the assumption that the electrons gain substantial kinetic energy in the cathode fall to ionize the gas. For many HID lamps (e.g., p>1 MPa) this assumption may not be fulfilled. This paper uses a different model first proposed by Fischer (1987). We present modeling results for a Xe lamp with special emphasis on the cathode region.