Abstract: A high-pressure glow discharge lamp (1) having a planar discharge vessel (2) which is sealed in a vacuumtight manner, which surrounds a discharge space (3) filled with a gas mixture which forms excimers, and whose parallel walls (4, 5) are formed from a dielectric material. The surfaces (6, 7) of the walls (4, 5) remote from the discharge space (3) are provided with planar electrodes (8, 9). At least one (5) of these walls with its associated electrode (8) is at least partly transparent to the generated radiation. The gas mixture includes at least one of the rare gases Xe, Kr and Ar for forming an excimer and at least one of the halogens I.sub.2, Br.sub.2, Cl.sub.2 and F.sub.2. The partial pressure of the substance forming the excimer is at least 10 and at most 600 mbar in the case of Xe and/or Kr and at least 10 and at most 1000 mbar in the case of Ar. The partial pressure of the halogen is between 0.05 and 5% of the partial pressure of the substance forming the excimer.

Abstract: A flat cold cathode fluorescent lamp include front and rear plates separated by spacers. A phosphor layer is formed on each upper side of a spacer in contact with a phosphor layer of the front plate, and an auxiliary electrode is provided lengthwise on each lower side of the spacer, thereby realizing uniformly luminous pictures.

Abstract: A mercury vapor discharge lamp includes, as a luminescent material, a terbium-activated gadolinium borate wherein the terbium comprises about 2-40% of total terbium and gadolinium. Said material is capable of excitation by ultraviolet radiation at 254 nm. without sensitization by materials such as trivalent cerium.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp providing improved maintenance and brightness includes an alkaline earth halophosphate (Cool-White) phosphor, e.g. a calcium halophosphate phosphor, having a continuous protective bilayer coating of alumina surrounding silica surrounding the phosphor particles. The lamp may be a high color rendition fluorescent lamp in which a first layer of alkaline earth halophosphate phosphor coats an inner surface of the lamp envelope, and a second layer of phosphor overlies the first layer of phosphor. The second layer of phosphor is a mixture of red, blue and green emitting phosphors, at least one of these being a zinc silicate phosphor. Each of the alkaline earth halophosphate and zinc silicate phosphors have a bilayer coating in which a coating of alumina surrounds a coating of silica which surrounds the phosphor.

Abstract: A PDP that includes a crooked discharge path caused by first and second barriers offset from each other, the ends being in contact with each other. Auxiliary anodes are provided on the end of the first barriers facing a front plate. Auxiliary discharge light produced between the second barriers is intercepted by the first barriers forming the crooked discharge path. The PDP improves contrast of picture and is easy to manufacture.

Abstract: A mercury vapor discharge lamp having an envelope of light-transmitting vitreous material containing an inert starting gas and a quantity of elemental mercury at least partially convertible to soluble mercury. Enclosed within the lamp is an amount of chemical agent suitable for electrochemically reducing a substantial portion of the soluble mercury to elemental mercury when the lamp is pulverized as a result of disposal. Preferably, the chemical agent is an element (i.e., copper or iron) which has an electrode potential for oxidation reactions higher than mercury. In a preferred embodiment, the chemical agent is sealed within an enclosure (e.g., glass) which is rupturable upon pulverization of the lamp. The sealed enclosure is disposed within the envelope or external to the envelope, such as within a cavity defined by a lamp base member. In another embodiment, the chemical agent is mixed with the basing cement used to secure the lamp bases to the envelope.

Abstract: A mercury vapor discharge lamp (e.g., a fluorescent lamp) having an envelope containing an inert starting gas and a quantity of elemental mercury at least partially convertible to soluble mercury. Enclosed within the lamp is an amount of chemical agent suitable for chemically combining a substantial portion of the soluble mercury as a sparingly soluble salt when the lamp is pulverized as a result of disposal. In one embodiment, the chemical agent is potassium periodate which is sealed within a enclosure which is rupturable upon pulverization of the lamp. The sealed enclosure may be disposed within the envelope or external to the envelope, such as within a cavity defined by a lamp base. In another embodiment, the chemical agent is mixed with the basing cement used to secure one or more of the the lamp bases to the envelope.

Abstract: In a gas discharge display element according to the present invention, two pairs of electrodes are arranged in a discharge space of a display cell and one of the electrode pairs which forms a first discharge space between the first electrodes is driven such that discharge having a memory function and capable of being memory-driven is produced during a time in which light emission of the display cell is sustained. The other electrode pair is driven with a voltage pulse having duration smaller than that of the driving voltage pulse for the first electrode pair such that discharge a is obtained in the other space defined between the electrodes of the other electrode pair using the discharge in the first space as a seed discharge. The duration of the drive pulse for the second electrode pair preferably terminates before the discharge current is reduced due to the formation of a wall charge.

Abstract: A stir-in fluorescent lamp phosphor is coated with a 1:1 ratio of latex polymer and fumed silica. The polymer-coated fluorescent lamp phosphor exhibits improved dispersability and wettability in aqueous and organic binder media which are used to apply fluorescent lamp phosphors to the inside walls of a fluorescent lamp envelope.

Abstract: A plasma display panel of the surface discharge type in which a maintaining discharge is generated between electrodes formed on the same substrate, includes first and second insulating substrates separated from each other to form a discharge space therebetween. A spacer having a partition wall in the form of a grid is located between the first and second insulating substrates so as to partition the discharge space into a number of pixels. Electrodes for maintaining discharge are provided on the first insulating substrate, and phosphor is located on the second insulating substrate within each of the pixels. The first insulating substrate is located at a display side.

Abstract: A fluorescent tube (2) is made of a plastics material containing at least one organic fluorescent dye and attached to the inner surface of this tube is a barrier layer (3) for absorbing ultraviolet radiation, and attached to the inner surface of the layer (3) there is a phosphor layer (3a).

Abstract: A an europium doped yttrium oxide red phosphor in a water base phosphor coating suspension is checked for degraded phosphor by (a) centrifuging the suspension, (b) separating an aqueous portion from a solids portion, (c) exposing a surface portion of said solids to UV radiation at 254 nm or 365 nm, (d) observing the presence or absence of fluorescence from said top layer of solids wherein the absence of fluorescence is indicative of a degraded phosphor.

Abstract: A gas discharge tube that is capable of lighting in different colors. The gas discharge tube, which may contain neon and mercury vapor, and which has its inner surface coated with a photoluminescent layer, is energized with a pulse current. The resultant color of the light emitted from the gas discharge tube depends on the combination of the pulse shapes and duty factors constituting the pulse current.

Abstract: A plasma display panel (PDP) of a planar discharger type which causes an auxiliary discharge and a display discharge in a single cell. The PDP includes anodes and cathodes formed in strips of different orientations and in different planes such that individual cells are formed which have a display anode, a display cathode, and an auxiliary anode.

Abstract: A phosphor blend for a fluorescent lamp having four rare earth phosphors, each of which emits a narrow band of visible light energy in the visible spectrum. The color of the light produced by three of the phosphors is red, blue and green. The fourth phosphor producing light in the blue-green range improves the color rendering index of the visible light output without seriously afflecting the lumen output as compared to a blend in which only the red-blue-green phosphors are used. A fifth rare earth narrow band phosphor capable of producing energy in the ultraviolet A range can be added to the blend when it is desired to simulate various phases of natural daylight. The band of ultraviolet range energy produced can be smoothed by adding to the blend another phosphor capable of producing energy in the Ultraviolet A range.

Abstract: An incandescent lamp is provided with a phosphor coating on its lamp envelope. The phosphor coating alters the spectral distribution of radiation emitted by the lamp and acts as a diffuser. In one embodiment, the phosphor coating absorbs radiation at wavelengths below 500 nanometers and emits radiation at wavelengths above 500 nanometers to provide an improved bugfoiler lamp. In another embodiment, the phosphor coating absorbs radiation in the ultraviolet, violet and blue wavelength range and emits radiation at longer wavelengths that more effectively stimulate the human eye.

Abstract: A phosphor having a continuous protective bi-layer coating of alumina surrounding silica surrounding the phosphor particles is disclosed. The method of making a bi-layer coating on phosphor particles is also disclosed. The first layer surrounding the phosphor is silica. The second layer surrounding the phosphor is alumina. The bi-layer phosphor is useful in fluorescent lamps providing improved maintenance and brightness. The bi-layer phosphor can also be used in high color rendition lamps employing blends of phosphors.

Abstract: A plasma display includes discharge gas spaces, first and second insulating substrates, stripe row electrodes, an insulating layer, a protective layer, stripe column electrodes, another insulating layer, phosphors, and ribs. The discharge gas spaces constitute a plurality of pixels. The first and second insulating substrates are arranged parallel to each other so as to sandwich the discharge gas spaces. The row electrodes are arranged on a surface of the first insulating substrate which opposes the discharge gas spaces. The first insulating layer is stacked on the stripe row electrodes. The protective layer is stacked on the insulating layer. The column electrodes are arranged on a surface of the second insulating substrate, which opposes the discharge gas spaces, in a direction perpendicular to the row electrodes. The second insulating layer is stacked on the column electrodes. The phosphors are stacked on the insulating layer at positions corresponding to the pixels, respectively.

Abstract: An electrodeless low-pressure mercury vapour discharge lamp having a discharge vessel with a radiation transmitting envelope and a cavity, which cavity accommodates a core of magnetic material and a wire winding surrounding said core and connected to a high-frequency supply unit. The envelope is provided with a first luminescent layer and the cavity with a second luminescent layer. Of the two or more luminescent materials present the luminescent material with the greatest depreciation is present exclusively in the first luminescent layer on the envelope.

Abstract: A flat panel X-Y matrix display has gas discharge switches which are disposed in capacitive series contact with associated electroluminescent cells. The gas discharge switches are selectively ionized to continuously energize and light the EL cells until the switches are turned off. The switches thus provide an active energization matrix for the cells.

Abstract: A method of forming a fluorescent screen for a plasma display panel provided with a front plate and a rear plate disposed parallel to each other and a cell barrier mounted on the front or rear plate and constituting a plurality of cells as display elements is characterized in that the cell barrier is located on a surface of the front or rear plate facing the other plate, a slurry solution containing a phosphor is filled in a portion defined by a cell wall of the cell barrier on the front or rear plate, only the wall surface of the cell barrier is exposed, and so a photosensitive layer containing a phosphor is formed at a portion inside the cell barrier. The fluorescent screen forming method is further characterized in another aspect in that a slurry solution containing a phosphor fills inside the cell of the cell barrier disposed on the plate, the plate is inclined immediately thereafter with an inclination of about 90.degree.

Abstract: A phosphor composition and a lamp having a phosphor film formed of the composition. The composition contains red, green and blue luminescence components. The blue component emits blue light by the excitation of 253.7-nm ultraviolet light. It has a main luminescence peak wavelength of 460 to 510 nm, and a half width of the main peak of a luminescence spectrum of not less than 50 nm. The color coordinates of the luminescence spectrum of the blue component falls within a range of 0.15.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.30 and of 0.25.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.40 based on the CIE 1931 standard chromaticity diagram. The blue component has a spectral reflectance of not less 80% at 380 to 500 nm, assuming that a spectral reflectance of a smoked magnesium oxide film is 100%.

Abstract: This invention provides an illumination device capable of producing large animated displays using glowing neon or other noble gases without the need for a source of high voltage as is required in normal neon signs. By means of large numbers of electrode pairs, gas discharge across the gas passage rather than along the gas passage enables low voltages to excite the flowing gas discharge while still giving the appearance of the continuous discharge seen in normal neon signs. The use of mixtures of luminescent phosphors of different luminescent decay times allows the hue of the illumination device to be electrically controlled by means of the frequency with which the discharge is excited. The controlled, sequential activation of any given electrode pair further allows the illumination device to give the appearance of animation, and the use of front and rear mirrors enables an infinite series of multiple, animated, illuminated images to be displayed.

Abstract: A fluorescent light source based on a phosphor excited by a molecular discharge is described. The fluorescent light source comprises a capacitively coupled compact fluorescent lamp coated with a manganese doped magnesium aluminate phosphor on the inside surface of the lamp envelope. The compact fluorscent lamp produces a plasma which emits 206 nm radiation from the molecular discharge of the iodine containing molecular vapors and inert gas fill which in turn excites the phosphor to emit visible light.

Abstract: A fluorescent gas-discharge color display panel, in which a fluorescent material is excited by a gas-discharge therein, contains a three-component gas mixture of neon, argon and xenon as the discharge gas. Typically, the argon gas component is in the range of from approximately 5 percent to approximately 80 percent, and that of the xenon gas from a minimum sufficient to maintain the Penning effect up to approximately 10 percent. The argon gas component contributes to the gas mixture producing a pure and high peak of green light spectrum and reduces the orange light spectrum emitted directly by the neon gas discharges. Other characteristics, such as operating voltages, brightness, luminous efficacy, and the panel operating life, are satisfactorily maintained. The improved color purity is advantageous for both single and multiple color display by the excited fluorescent material or materials.

Abstract: A high brightness panel display (20) includes a plurality of discrete gas discharge cells (24) sealed against a phosphor-carrying front panel section (26) and operable to produce a high brightness display. Gas discharges are ignited and extinguished in selected gas discharge cells (24) to excite or extinguish associated pixels P.sub.m,n that are formed in portions of phosphor strips (35) on the front panel section (26). The gas discharge cells (24) are controlled with electrodes that are common to several cells but driven so that a gas discharge can be ignited or extinguished in one cell without effecting any other cell. Consequently, the pixels may have a 100% per-frame duty cycle, thereby producing very high brightness.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp discharge tube has an electrostatically coated envelope. The coating comprises a mixture of 100 parts by weight of phosphor, 0.01 to 3 parts by weight of a fatty acid having a melting point greater than 40.degree. C. or the ammonium, aluminum alkaline earth salts thereof, and 0.05 to 5 parts by weight of finely divided aluminum oxide having a grain size smaller than 0.1 micron. The phosphor is applied to the tube by a venturi effect and results in a more uniformly applied coating than is provided using a suspension coating. Uniformity of the coating is measured by the disclosed optical densitometry test.

Abstract: Heavy weights of luminescent material; e.g., from 0.0087 to 0.010 g/cm.sup.2, can be applied and adhered to the interior surface of lamp envelopes by mixing with the material up to 20% by weight boric acid. The material and boric acid are applied by electrostatic deposition and the envelope containing the material is then heated to a temperature of at least 300.degree. C. to convert the boric acid to boron anhydride. The envelope is subsequently cooled and employed with a light source capsule to form a lamp.

Abstract: Hot-cathode discharge fluorescent lamps filled with low pressure rare gas being discharge fluorescent lamps filled with low pressure rare gas with a tube diameter of 16 mm or less provided with a pair of electrodes on both ends of a glass tube which operate as a hot-cathode in a stable discharge condition, having a fluorescent material layer on the inside surface of the bulb, filled with a luminous gas therein, and which is illuminated with irradiation from discharge in the luminous gas, in which at least one gas of He, Ne, Ar, and Kr are filled in addition to Xe as the luminous gas in an amount that the percentage of additional gas volume to total gas volume exceeds 50%.

Abstract: A light-emitting composition includes a phosphor material, and an inorganic white powder material. The inorganic powder material is doped with a dopant of Ti, Ce, Cd, Cs, Sb, K, Sc, Zr, Ge, Al, Lu, La, Gd, Tb, B and/or Si. The light-emitting composition can be applied to the inner surface of a bulb of a fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: A rare-gas arc lamp includes a pair of coil filaments disposed at the opposite ends of an elongated bulb for increasing an area of a positive column produced between the coil filament pair in a direction perpendicular to the elongated axis of the bulb, and a rare-gas mainly including xenon gas and having substantially no mercury therein sealed in the bulb at a prescribed pressure selected from the range between 20 Torr and 200 Torr. The combination of the coil filament pair and the xenon gas sealed in the bulb at a prescribed pressure in the range of 20 Torr to 200 Torr may reduce visible changes in a luminance distribution of the lamp when the positive column fluctuates during the operation of the lamp.

Abstract: A light transmissive liquid crystal display is illuminated from its rear surface by a juxtaposed flat electrodeless discharge lamp. The lamp includes a pair of glass plates sealably enclosing a fill gas. The front plate carries a phosphor coating on its interior surface and the rear plate carries a phosphor coating and a reflective film. A rectangular array of RF coils behind the rear plate provides excitation for a plasma arc discharge within the fill gas whereby adjacent discharge current paths counter rotate. Ultraviolet radiation emitted by the plasma arc discharge excites the phosphor which produces visible light of uniform brightness that may be varied by varying the RF current amplitude in the coils.

Abstract: In a gas discharge lamp of this invention, an internal electrode is provided in a tube bulb and an external electrode is provided on the outer surface of the bulb so as to cover it. A fluorescent material film is formed inside the bulb and is excited to emit visible light by a glow discharge, which is caused by applying a voltage between these electrodes. The fluorescent material film in the bulb has different thicknesses in the tube axial direction of the bulb to average the surface luminance of the gas discharge lamp.

Abstract: A high-resolution flat-panel plasma display device made in solid-state form and designed for large-area full-color applications includes first and second sets of orthogonally disposed electrodes on a substrate to which a phosphor-containing faceplate is sealed. The electrodes of one set are respectively suspended relatively high above the substrate surface on spaced-apart longitudinally extending dielectric ridges.

Abstract: A flat fluorescent lamp having transparent electrodes, transparent glass plates spaced vertically apart and confronting each other, transparent conductive films forming electrodes provided on the outer surface or the inner surface of the glass plates, fluorescent paint layers provided fixedly on the inner side of the glass plates, or on the glass plates via the transparent conductive films by coating the fluorescent paint on the inner surfaces of the glass plates or conductive films, glass frames spaced horizontally close to both ends of the transparent glass plates or the transparent conductive films and fixedly mounted on the glass plates or transparent conductive films, a space surounded by the glass plates or the transparent conductive films and the glass frames for sealing gas, generally an inert gas therein, and lead-in wires clamping one end of the glass plates and the transparent conductive films.

Abstract: Improvements in alternating current plasma display panels are disclosed including an imperforate intermediate structure in such a panel which provides both the function of a separator between the front and back plates (layers or structures) of the panel and the function of cross talk reducing barriers between cells of the panel. The structure includes spacing bosses which extend from the barrier structure and engage the front transparent dielectric plate, and sidewall portions intermediate adjacent pairs of spacing bosses which are separated somewhat from the front dielectric plate to provide a gas and ion passing gap between adjacent cells. In one preferred form, the sidewalls blend into a generally flat bottom wall within each cell. The sidewalls and bottom wall have a smooth or specular surface and may be coated with a reflective material to enhance cell brightness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for generating plasma (ionizing gas) by a propagating surface wave. The device comprises a wave launching structure mounted on a plasma vessel and connected to an impedance matching network. The latter comprises a coupler and a tuner which is either formed by a section of a transmission line or is of the lumped circuitry type. The launching structure may either generate an azimuthally symmetric or a non symmetric propagating wave. This invention also relates to a method and a device for shaping plasma which comprises a plasma vessel receiving a surface wave generator and having a serviceable portion of a size and/or shape substantially different from the shape and/or size of the portion of the plasma vessel receiving the wave generator.

Abstract: A method for eliminating carbonaceous contaminants and preventing the hydration/solubilization of the oxide coating of a phosphor is described. The method involves the annealing of the oxide coated phosphor at a temperature and for a period sufficient to preclude adversely affecting the protective oxide coating on the phosphor during subsequent water-based suspension processing without detrimentally altering the phosphor. After annealing the phosphor is cooled and then added to a water-based suspension. The optimum conditions for annealing a manganese activated zinc silicate phosphor or a calcium halophosphate phosphor having a protective aluminum oxide coating are the combination of a temperature between about 700.degree. C. and about 850.degree. C. and for a period of time from about 15 minutes to about 20 hours.

Abstract: A system for instantaneously ionizing and continuously delivering energy in the form of surface waves to a low pressure gas or mixture of low pressure gases, comprising a source of rf energy, a discharge container, (such as a fluorescent lamp discharge tube), an rf shield, and a coupling device responsive to rf energy from the source to couple rf energy directly and efficiently to the gas or mixture of gases to ionize at least a portion of the gas or gases and to provide energy to the gas or gases in the form of surface waves. The majority of the rf power is transferred to the gas or gases near the inner surface of the discharge container to efficiently transfer rf energy as excitation energy for at least one of the gases. The most important use of the invention is to provide more efficient fluorescent and/or ultraviolet lamps.

Abstract: A gas-discharge memory-type display panel having distinctively high radiation efficiency is realized by plural negative glow type discharge cells operating with a discharge electrode distance normalized filled gas pressure product (d.multidot.p.sub.o) being in the range of 0.5 to 8.0 Torr.multidot.cm, at an average discharge current of less than 50 .mu.A. Improved radiation efficiency can be further raised by direct viewing of radiation from fluorescent layers arranged flat on a rear plate of a simplified two-plate structure of a sealed envelope which can be readily manufactured.

Abstract: A photoconverter wherein luminous substances having at least the atomistic property are dispersed among transparent intermediate substances substantially as individually isolated and as fixed together therewith so that, upon incident of light, the photoconverter is excited to cause each exciting photon to emit two or more photons for realizing multi-quantum emission.

Abstract: A method of making fluorescent lamps having increased brightness and improved maintenance by changing the surface chemistry of the inside surface of the glass tubing while the tubing is being manufactured. While the glass tubing is being drawn from a melt through a bag stage, a predetermined mixture of an organo-fluoride gas and an oxidizing gas is dispensed into the glass bag. The gas mixture is continuously combusted to produce an amount of fluoride gas sufficient to react with alkali ions and alkaline earth ions on the inner surface of the hot glass at the bag stage to form alkali and alkaline earth compounds which are exhausted out through the tubing. Preferably, the organo-fluoride gas is 1,1 difluoroethane.

Abstract: An electrodeless metal vapor discharge lamp comprising a lamp vessel (1) which is sealed in a vacuum-tight manner and is further filled with a rare gas, which lamp is provided with a core (4) of magnetic material, in which a high-frequency magnetic field can be induced by means of an electric supply unit (7) and a winding (5) arranged to surround the core, an electric field being produced in the lamp vessel (1), the surface area of a cross-section orthogonal to the axis of the winding lying between 20 mm.sup.2 and 60 mm.sup.2, the lamp vessel (1) containing as rare gas krypton and/or argon at a pressure of at most 100 Pa, and the axial length of the winding lying between 8 and 15 mm.

Abstract: A low-pressure arc discharge apparatus having a magnetic field generating means for increasing the output of a discharge lamp is disclosed. The magnetic field generating means, which in one embodiment includes a plurality of permanent magnets, is disposed along the lamp for applying a constant transverse magnetic field over at least a portion of the positive discharge column produced in the arc discharge lamp operating at an ambient temperature greater than about 25.degree. C.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp wherein magnetic field generating means (e.g., permanent magnets) are utilized to generate a static magnetic field across the respective electrode structures of the lamp such that maximum field strength is located at the electrode's filament. An increase in efficacy during operation has been observed.

Abstract: Gas discharge display device having a vacuum-tight gas-filled envelope with a front plate and a back plate. A perforated control unit divides the interior of the envelope into a gas discharge space and a post-acceleration space and includes several electrode planes extending parallel to the plates. The gas discharge space has at least one plasma cathode and at least one plasma anode. The front layer carries on its back side a cathodoluminescent layer as well as an electrically conducting layer (post-acceleration anode). A spacer frame spaces the conductor as post-acceleration cathode in the foremost electrode plane of the control unit from the post-acceleration anode. In operation, a gas discharge burns at least temporarily between the plasmas electrodes. Electrons are pulled through selectively opened holes of the control unit into the post-acceleration space. The post-acceleration space which remains free of discharges is accelerated to several kV.

Abstract: Gas discharge display device having a vacuum-tight envelope with a front and back plate. A control unit divides the interior of the envelope filled with gas into a back and front space. The back space has at least one plasma cathode and at least one plasma anode. The front plate carries a cathodoluminescent layer and a layer electrode. The control unit contains at least one electrode plane extending parallel to the wall plates, with at least one conductor. In operation a gas discharge burns between the plasma electrodes. The distance between the post-acceleration anode and cathode is small such that no gas discharge is ignited in the post-acceleration space. The post-acceleration cathode is coated with an implantation protection layer of a high-melting metal to maintain the operating voltage constant under continuous load.

Abstract: A gas discharge display device having a gas-filled space defined on one side by a front plate and on a side opposite thereto by a back plate and subdivided by a control plate into a gas discharge space and a post-acceleration space, the control plate carrying electrode runs including column conductors and anode row conductors forming a matrix having cross-points defining image points, a fluorescent screen disposed on the side of the front plate facing the control plate and defining the post-acceleration space, the fluorescent screen having an anode layer thereon, and at least one insulated cathode on the side of the back plate facing the control plate and defining the gas discharge space, and an auxiliary control plate having anode conductor strips on at least one side thereof that are parallel with the anode row conductors, the device including groupings of anode row conductors, each group thereof having M sequentially numbered conductors; groupings of anode conductor strips, each group thereof having N sequ

Abstract: A luminous tube is provided with three color producing inner tubes and is mounted within a clear outer tube. The luminous gas filling the outer tube also fills the open-ended inner tubes. Each of the color-producing tubes has an electrode to enable the current density to be independently controlled, and thus control of the light-intensity emitted from each of the color-producing tubes. A luminous tube may also be constructed with at least one tube mounted inside an outer tube within a common luminous gas, where the inner tube houses an electrode and has a restricted diameter opening to produce a high-intensity luminous discharge.

Abstract: A method of forming a sealed capsule containing a submilligram quantity of mercury or the like, the capsule being constructed from a hollow glass tube, by placing a globule or droplet of the mercury in the tube. The tube is then evacuated and sealed and is subsequently heated so as to vaporize the mercury and fill the tube therewith. The tube is then separated into separate sealed capsules by heating spaced locations along the tube with a coiled heating wire means to cause collapse spaced locations therealong and thus enable separation of the tube into said capsules.