Low pressure mercury–argon electrodeless fluorescent lamp simulation using the finite volume method

A finite volume model of a low pressure Ar–Hg electrodeless lamp with external coils is established. The physical configuration is similar to the OSRAM/ENDURA 70 W lamp. A Maxwellian energy distribution is assumed. Two dimensional behaviors of the most important plasma parameters such as the electron density, the electron temperature and the most important mercury states are discussed. Results are in good agreement with former studies and the general understanding in this area. Also, the influence of the argon pressure is studied. Based on the simulation, the population of the main resonance state, Hg (6³P₁ ) depends on the argon pressure and the optimized value is about 300 mTorr.