Electrode for a discharge lamp

1. An electrode for a discharge lamp with a core and a sheath, which surrounds at least regions of the core,

wherein the sheath has, in the longitudinal direction, a continuous bore, which has a first diameter in a first subregion and a second diameter in a second subregion,

wherein a transition of the bore from the first diameter to the second diameter has a stepped design,

wherein the bore in the sheath has a smaller diameter at the end facing the discharge space than at the end remote from the discharge space,

wherein the core comprises a base which is arranged in the sheath and has a larger diameter than the smaller of the first diameter and the second diameter,

wherein the entire core is formed from a same thorium-doped material, and

wherein an electrode holder extends into the subregion of the bore with the larger diameter.

2. The electrode as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the core extends over the entire length of the bore in the subregion of the first diameter.

3. The electrode as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the base is present at the transition between the two diameters of the bore and extends into the subregion of the bore with the larger diameter.

4. The electrode as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sheath is formed from a material which is free from thorium.

5. The electrode as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the core rests on the electrode holder.

6. The electrode as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the electrode holder is soldered to or compressed with the sheath.

7. The electrode as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the core is soldered to or pressed with the sheath.

8. A high-pressure discharge lamp comprising an electrode as claimed in claim 1 .

9. The electrode as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the electrode holder is formed from a material which is free from thorium.