ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Fluorence bulb

Hello
Does someon know how fluorence bolb works?
Thanks

Mike, a simple explanation is; there is an anode and cathode inside a tube filled with neon gas. The tube is coated with a flourensce coating. The gas must be heated to glow and this is accomplished by fing a high voltage pulse into it. someone else may have a better explanation, if so feel free to jump in. Hope this helps.

Since it is AC, there is no distinction between anode and cathode - the polarity reverses 120 per second.

Light is produced by gaseous-conduction methods, when proper energy transistions result from electron displacement within the atomic structure of the gas involved.

Applied voltage at the electrodes accelerates free electrons from their normal atomic positions. Radiations of a particular wavelength result as the displaced electons return to their normal position in the atomic structure; this wavelength depends on the base used and the degree of electron displacement.

Once the discharge begins, the enclosed artc becomes a light source with one electrode acting as a cathode and the other as an anode. The electrodes will exchange functions as the supply changes polarity. This principal is employed in high-intensity discharge lamps.


source; AE Handbook, 10.114, 142