neonlámpa

A neonlámpa is a type of cold cathode gas discharge lamp that uses neon gas to produce light. It consists of a sealed glass tube filled with neon gas at low pressure, and two electrodes at either end. When a sufficiently high voltage is applied across the electrodes, the neon gas is ionized, creating a plasma. This plasma then emits a characteristic reddish-orange glow.

Neon lamps are primarily used for decorative lighting and signage due to their distinctive color and ability to be bent into various shapes. They are not typically used for general illumination as their light output is relatively low and their color rendering is poor compared to incandescent or fluorescent lamps. The operating voltage for a neon lamp is generally higher than that of many other electrical devices, often requiring a transformer to step up the mains voltage.

The development of the neon lamp is credited to Georges Claude, who first demonstrated them publicly in 1910. While the term "neon lamp" often refers specifically to tubes filled with pure neon gas producing the red-orange light, the technology has been adapted to use other noble gases or mixtures of gases to produce a wide spectrum of colors. For example, argon produces a blue light, and mercury vapor can be added to excite phosphors coated on the inside of the tube, producing white light similar to fluorescent lamps. Despite the availability of other colored gas mixtures, the original reddish-orange of pure neon remains iconic.