Abstract: A metal vapor laser intended to be excited by an electrical discharge pulsed through a metal vapor, consisting of a tubular chamber terminated at each end by a terminating flange, the terminating flange (1) having formed integrally with it a cold cathode structure having associated with it a multiplicity of electron generating devices (10, 11, 12) for non-thermionic generation of electrons. The electron generating devices (10, 11, 12) consist preferably of a series of annular grooves (10) formed in the surface of a bore of the terminating flange (1) and a circular groove or grooves (11) coaxial with the axis of the laser and cut in to a face of the terminating flange (1) facing directly into the discharge volume (8). Additionally, to increase carrying capability and facility for easily striking the discharge there is provide a ring of refractory metal pins (12) fixed into that surface of the terminating flange (1).

Abstract: A neon tube lighting device comprises a resonance circuit, formed by a capacitor and the primary winding of a leakage transformer, which is connected across a DC power supply via a switching element, the ON-OFF operation of which is controlled by the output signal of a signal generator. The output signal provided by the signal generator has a constant frequency substantially equal to the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit. A neon tube is connected to the secondary winding of the leakage transformer.