Some New Mercury Alloys for Use in Fluorescent Lamps

Abstract

The vapor pressure of mercury is an important parameter in the design of fluorescent lamps. Mostly pure mercury is used to generate the required vapor pressure, but it is known that fluorescent tubes can be employed over a much wider range of ambient temperatures when mercury alloys are used as a source of the mercury vapor. The authors present evidence that mercury alloys for use in fluorescent lamps can be improved, especially where the ignition behavior is concerned.