[AMPS] Gassy Tubes and Gas Arcs

[Rich Measures]

> If it looks like it's on the inside of the envelope, it's ion 
>bombardment. If it's
>inside the anode structure, then it's gas. In my early days, I replaced many
>tubes I thought were gassy! Good for RCA, GE, etc.
>
That's pretty much it, Roger.  However,  "ion" means an atom that has 
gained or lost one or more electrons, I doubt that ions are involved.  In 
this case, it appears that the flourescing material's atoms (probably one 
of the silica-fluxing elements in the glass recipe -- perhaps boron?) are 
being bombarded by electrons.  My guess is that this element fluoresces 
as its electrons fall back into a lower orbit after being knocked into a 
higher orbit by electrons that miss the anode and strike the glass 
envelope. 



Rich...

R. L. Measures, 805-386-3734, AG6K, www.vcnet.com/measures  


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