An ultraviolet radiation starting source for an arc discharge lamp includes a sealed envelope with a press seal, a gaseous fill material within the envelope, a molybdenum ribbon which extends from the press seal into the interior region of the envelope and a wire inlead for carrying electrical energy to the ribbon. A method of manufacture includes flowing a fill material through a tube. Further, a seal is formed at one end of the tube, the interior of the tube is pumped to a desired pressure and another press seal is formed at the second end of the tube to create a sealed envelope.