Abstract
Experimental studies have been made of the valt-ampere characteristics of Ne-Hg and He-Hg lowpressure arc discharges in tubes 320 mm in length and 30 mm in diameter, operated at 50 Hz AC currents between 0.1 and 5 amperes. The positive volt-ampere characteristics with strong radiation of He and Ne spectral lines have been obtained.
Measurements have been made of the axial and radial distributions of radiation intensities of He, Ne, Hg and Hg ion spectral lines emitted from the positive column of positive characteristics. Within experimental accuracy the positive column was found to be axially homogeneous, and it was confirmed that Hg and Hg ion depletion occurred along the center of the tube.
Luminous efficacies of the positive column with thin phosphor coatings were about 12-19 lumens per watt for Hg-20 Torr Ne mixtures, 5-12 lumens per watt for Hg-40 Torr Ne mixtures and 5-10 lumens per watt for Hg-6 Torr He mixtures.
