new and advantageous methods related to the design and manufacture of pulsed power systems for a new generation of higher performance flash lamps are disclosed . a reliable and cost - effective pulsed discharge lamp power supply system is provided that promotes puv lamp efficiency beyond that which is achievable by means of prior art , thereby similarly decreasing the loss factor for both uv radiation and overall electrical energy . also disclosed is a pulsed discharge lamp power supply system that serves to help prevent lamp envelope fracture and / or light output degradation resulting from the deleterious effects of intense radiation pulses . the pulsed discharge lamp power supply system produces an electrical output that is dynamically impedance - matched with the lamp throughout the entire time span of and the transition sequence between all three operating modes , thereby creating the necessary discharge conditions for optimal lamp operation . for example , the pulsed discharge lamp power supply system produces an ignition mode pulse only when and in the form specifically required for optimal lamp operation ; produces a simmer current only when and in the form specifically required for optimal lamp operation ; and produces a main discharge current pulse only when and in the temporal - amplitude shape that is specifically required for optimal lamp operation .