Mercury dispenser, method of making mercury dispenser and method of dosing mercury into ARC discharge lamp

A fluorescent lamp includes a tubular member or envelope having an arc generating and sustaining medium therein. As known, the tubular envelope is constructed of a suitable glass, for example lime glass. An electrode is provided in each end of the tubular member and a phosphor coating is applied to...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors Johnston, David W, George, William A, Speer, Richard S, Zaslavsky, Gregory
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 12.10.2010
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Summary:A fluorescent lamp includes a tubular member or envelope having an arc generating and sustaining medium therein. As known, the tubular envelope is constructed of a suitable glass, for example lime glass. An electrode is provided in each end of the tubular member and a phosphor coating is applied to the interior surface of the tubular member. A mercury dispenser is situated within the tubular member. The mercury dispenser includes a body composed of a material selected from the group consisting of glass and ceramic materials. The body is provided with a bore. A first material capable of wetting mercury coats the bore. In a preferred embodiment the first material is silver having a thickness between 0.1μ and 8μ. A quantity of mercury is deposited in the bore in contact with the first material.