Abstract

A lamp apparatus for producing a beam of light that can be used as a part of a source for a projection system. The lamp apparatus of the present invention produces a beam of light originating from a small aperture. The apparatus includes an electrodeless lamp body in the form of elongated outer tube having a hollow interior. An inner sleeve fits or is deposited inside the outer tube, the inner sleeve having a fill containing generally cylindrically or spherical shaped bore. The sleeve provides temperature resistant and reflection properties. Electrodes positioned either internally or externally of the lamp body are provided for producing radio frequency energy that excite the fill contained in the bore of the inner sleeve to form a plasma light source of intense heat. The light thus generated by the plasma in a relatively large volume is constrained to exit through a small aperture at either one, or both, ends of the apparatus.