DISCHARGE LAMP WITH INTEGRAL STARTING ELECTRODE

An arc discharge light source (10) for automotive headlight applications comprises an arc tube (12) having a hollow body (14) arrayed a long a longitudinal axis (16) and provided with first and second ends (18, 20). The first and second ends have, respectively, first and second jointure areas (22, 24) with the hollow body (14). Electrodes (26 , 28) are sealed respectively in each of the first and second ends (18, 20). An arc generating and sustaining medium is contained within the hollow body. a low-voltage-pulse starting aid (30) is associated with the arc tube and comprises an electrically conductiv e member (32) having an intermediate portion (34) and proximal and distal ends (36, 38). T he intermediate portion (34) extends the length of the hollow body (14) and the proximal and distal ends (36, 38) each terminating in a loop (40, 42) comprised of a single turn of electrically conductive material. The loop (40) from the proximal end (36) surrounds the first jointure area (22) and the loop (42) from the distal end (38) surround s the second jointure area (24).