Burst-mode for low power operation of RF fluorescent lamps

An RF fluorescent lamp, comprising:

• a bulbous vitreous portion of the RF fluorescent lamp comprising a vitreous envelope filled with a working gas mixture;
• a power coupler comprising at least one winding of an electrical conductor for receiving an alternating voltage and current to generate an alternating magnetic field and thereby induce an alternating electric field within the vitreous envelope, the at least one winding having a first end and second end, the first end receiving the alternating voltage and current and the second end connected to local ground;
• and
• an electronic ballast providing appropriate voltage and current to the first end of the at least one winding of the power coupler, the voltage and current provided with reference to local ground,
• wherein the electronic ballast comprises an inverter circuit operating at a first frequency that provides the voltage and current with reference to local ground to a switching node connected to the first end of the at least one winding of the power coupler, a timing circuit operating at a second frequency equal to or less than half the first frequency, and an enable circuit activated by the timing circuit that enables and disables the inverter circuit.