Blitzlampen

Blitzlampen, also known as flashbulbs or flashlamps, are a type of gas-discharge lamp that produces a brief but intense burst of light. This light is generated by passing an electrical current through a gas, typically xenon, which causes it to ionize and emit photons. The duration of the flash is very short, usually on the order of milliseconds, and the intensity can be extremely high.

Historically, blitzlampen were widely used as a portable light source for photography before the advent of electronic flash units. They contained a filament of a combustible material, such as magnesium or aluminum, within a glass envelope filled with oxygen or another oxidizing gas. When a high voltage was applied, the filament ignited, burning rapidly and producing a brilliant flash of light. These bulbs were single-use and had to be replaced after each photograph.

Modern applications of blitzlampen are more specialized. They are still employed in some scientific and industrial settings where extremely short, high-intensity light pulses are required. Examples include stroboscopic lighting for high-speed motion analysis, laser pumping in some types of lasers, and in certain medical devices. While largely superseded by LEDs and electronic flashes for general lighting and photography, the unique properties of blitzlampen ensure their continued relevance in niche applications.