Infrared light generating system

A system for generating infrared light, comprising:

• a sealed housing made from a thermally-conductive material;
• a noble gas filling said housing;
• a window disposed in a wall of said housing, said window being transparent to infrared radiation;
• a pair of electrodes disposed in said housing and aligned along a common longitudinal axis adapted to be approximately perpendicular to a local force of gravity, wherein a gap is defined between said electrodes along said longitudinal axis, said gap having a length;
• at least one obstruction coupled to and disposed in said housing adjacent to said gap and extending along said length thereof, said at least one obstruction spaced apart from said electrodes and defining a convection space between said electrodes, said convection space having a dimension measured perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said dimension being in the range of 2 to 20 times said length;
• and
• an electric current source coupled to said electrodes.

A system for generating infrared light, comprising:

• a sealed metal housing;
• a noble gas filling said metal housing;
• a window disposed in a wall of said metal housing, said window being transparent to infrared radiation;
• a pair of electrodes disposed in said metal housing and aligned along a common longitudinal axis adapted to be approximately perpendicular to a local force of gravity, wherein a gap is defined between said electrodes along said longitudinal axis, said gap having a length;
• a first mount for thermally coupling a first of said electrodes to said metal housing and for electrically insulating said first of said electrodes from said metal housing;
• a second mount for thermally coupling a second of said electrodes to said metal housing and for electrically insulating said second of said electrodes from said metal housing;
• at least one obstruction disposed in said metal housing adjacent to said gap and extending along said length thereof, said at least one obstruction spaced apart from said electrodes and defining a convection space between said electrodes, said convection space having a dimension measured perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said dimension being in the range of 2 to 20 times said length;
• and
• an electric current source coupled to said electrodes.