Patent ID: 6921910

Claim:
A source comprising: an insulating housing; current carrying means capable of carrying electrical current; at least a first and second resistance elements having a first and second resistivity, respectively; a third resistance element having a third resistivity; said current carrying means being electrically coupled to said first and second resistance elements to form at least a first electrical coupling between said current carrying means and said first resistance element and to form at least a second electrical coupling between said current carrying means and said second resistance element; said insulating housing disposed to insulate said first and second electrical couplings from an environment; said first resistance element electrically coupled to said third resistance element; said second resistance element electrically coupled to said third resistance element; said third resistance element disposed between said first and second resistance elements, said third resistivity of said third resistance element having a value greater than said first resistivity of said first resistance element and said second resistivity of said second resistance element; wherein infrared radiation is produced.