Short-arc discharge lamp with starting device

An arc discharge lamp comprising an envelope having a bulb portion and first and second elongated stems respectively extending from said bulb portion, and first and second electrodes extending into said envelope and spaced apart in said bulb portion to define an arc discharge path, said first and second electrodes respectively being parts of first and second elongated electrode structures, respectively sealed in said first and second stems at regions thereof spaced from said bulb portion, the inner surfaces of said first and second stems being respectively spaced from said first and second electrodes therealong between said bulb portion and first and second junction points at which the stems make contact with the electrodes, said first and second junction points being located respectively between said bulb portion and said first and second electrode structure seals, wherein the improvement comprises a starting device of electrically conductive material positioned externally of said envelope and extending from the vicinity of said first junction point to the vicinity of said second junction point, said starting device not being connected to carry the voltage of either of said electrodes.