Dielectric barrier discharge by old fluorescent lamps

Due to recent tendencies to optimize the use of the discharge lamps and the pollution problem caused by mercury, this paper outlines a simple approach that puts the reuse of tubular fluorescent lamps into perspective. The operation of the lamp is through dielectric barrier discharge which is powered using short pulses voltage. A Class-E converter, which is suitable for dielectric barrier discharge, is also described. Comments on experimental results from a converter working at 400 kHz switching frequency are made at the end.