Tubulation-free gas filled electrode or lamp

1. A method of making a tubulation-free gas filled electrode comprising the steps of:

providing a glass or quartz tube having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;

inserting a cathode with a cathode lead wire into the first end;

crimping shut the first end, thereby securing the cathode lead wire and making the first end airtight;

securing a solid plug to at least a portion of an inner wall of the glass or quartz tube at the second end, but leaving a gap directly between the solid plug and the inner wall through which gas can pass;

evacuating air from inside the glass or quartz tube by drawing it through the second end past the plug;

charging the glass or quartz tube with a gas; and

sealing the gap to make the second end airtight.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein before said crimping, the first end is softened by heating.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein securing the solid plug to at least a portion of an inner wall of the glass or quartz tube at the second end is performed by anchoring the plug to the inner wall by heating.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein sealing the gap is performed by heating the second end of the glass or quartz tube all around the solid plug.

5. A method of making a tubulation-free gas filled lamp comprising the steps of:

providing a glass or quartz tube having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;

inserting a first cathode into the first end;

crimping the first end thereby securing the first cathode and making the first end airtight;

inserting a second cathode through a hole in a solid plug so that it is airtight;

securing the solid plug to at least a portion of an inner wall of the glass or quartz tube at the second end, but leaving a gap directly between the solid plug and the inner wall through which gas can pass;

evacuating air from inside the glass or quartz tube by drawing it through the second end past the solid plug;

charging the glass or quartz tube with a gas; and

sealing the gap to make the second end airtight.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein before said crimping, the first end is softened by heating.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein securing the solid plug to at least a portion of an inner wall of the glass or quartz tube at the second end is performed by heating.

8. The method of claim 5 , wherein sealing the gap is performed by heating.

9. The method of claim 5 , further comprising trimming the glass or quartz tube to produce a desired end configuration.