High-pressure discharge lamp light-up device, high-pressure discharge lamp apparatus using same, projector using high-pressure discharge lamp apparatus, and light-up method for high-pressure discharge lamp

A high-pressure discharge lamp lighting device lighting a high-pressure discharge lamp by supplying alternating current thereto, the high-pressure discharge lamp having an arc tube in which a halogen substance is enclosed and in which a pair of electrodes are disposed, each of the electrodes having a tip portion on which a protrusion is formed, comprising:

• a frequency switching unit switching a frequency of the alternating current supplied to the high-pressure discharge lamp between a first frequency and a second frequency in accordance with a frequency control signal, the second frequency being higher than the first frequency;
• a current switching unit switching a magnitude of the alternating current between a first current magnitude and a second current magnitude in accordance with a current control signal, the second current magnitude being greater than the first current magnitude;
• and
• a control unit inputting the frequency control signal to control the frequency switching unit and inputting the current control signal to control the current switching unit, wherein
• controlled by the control unit, the frequency switching unit introduces a period A of providing the alternating current at the first frequency and a period B of providing the alternating current at the second frequency, the periods repeating in alternation, and
• controlled by the control unit, the current switching unit switches, for one half-cycle of the alternating current at the first frequency, between the second current magnitude for a portion of period A and the first current magnitude for a remainder of period A.