Laser-driven light source with electrodeless ignition

A method of generating light with a laser-driven light source, the method comprising:

• a) generating a continuous wave (CW) sustaining light;
• b) propagating the CW sustaining light to a gas filled bulb comprising an ionizing gas;
• c) generating pump light;
• d) irradiating a Q-switched laser crystal with the generated pump light, thereby generating pulsed laser light;
• e) propagating the generated pulsed laser light to the gas filled bulb comprising the ionizing gas, thereby generating a CW plasma that emits light;
• f) detecting light generated by the CW plasma in the gas filled bulb comprising the ionizing gas;
• and
• g) controlling the pump light so as to extinguish the pulsed laser light after the light generated by the CW plasma is detected.