Patent ID: 6977469

Claim:
A low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp comprising a discharge vessel ( 10 ) having a first and a second end portion ( 12 a , 12 b ), the discharge vessel ( 10 ) containing mercury and an inert gas, wherein the end portions ( 12 a , 12 b ) each support an electrode ( 20 a , 20 b ) arranged in the discharge vessel ( 10 ) for initiating and maintaining a discharge in the discharge vessel, and wherein a double walled electrode shield ( 22 a , 22 b ) substantially encompasses at least one of the electrodes ( 20 a , 20 b ), said double walled electrode shield ( 22 a , 22 b ) comprising an inner wall ( 23 a ) and an outer wall ( 24 a ), which walls are spaced apart, a space between the inner wall ( 23 a ) and the outer wall ( 24 a ) being between 0.2 mm and 2 mm.