High pressure discharge lamp with an electrode having alterating offset parallel grooves

A high pressure discharge lamp comprising:

• a pair of electrodes that face each other in an electric discharge space,
• wherein each one of the pair of electrodes includes an electrode body extending along and about an electrode body axis and having an electrode end portion, a smooth end portion and a grooved intermediate portion integrally connected to and disposed between the electrode end portion and the smooth end portion and
• wherein each one of the pair of electrodes includes a first series of axially-extending grooves and a second series of axially-extending grooves formed into and disposed circumferentially about the grooved intermediate portion such that at least one end of each one of the first series of grooves terminates at an end of the grooved intermediate portion and at least one end of each one of the second series of grooves terminates prior to the end of the grooved intermediate portion, each respective one of the first series of the axially-extending grooves is disposed between and extends parallel to consecutive respective ones of the second series of the axially-extending grooves and each respective one of the second axially-extending grooves is disposed between and extends parallel to consecutive respective ones of the first series of the axially-extending grooves.