Cold cathode for gas discharge lamps

摘要

A cold cathode for a gas discharge lamp comprises a container filled with emitter material and with a current terminal. The container is a spiral of round wire with a cross-section of at least 0.03 sq mm. One end of the spiral acts as the current connection and the other end acts as an auxiliary connection. Both ends are joined to form a closed circuit. Within the hollow space of the wire is the emitter material. Surrounding the cathode is an ionisation chamber.