Re: What about this experiment? Was Neon Tube sources.

["Jim Lux" <jimlux-at-xxxxxxxxxxxxx> (by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-xxxxxxxxxx>)]

A few problems:

1) The white powder is a "phosphor" and is moderately toxic.  It is not
sensitive to elecric fields.
2) the fluorescent tube has mercury in it, the vapor of which IS sensitive
to high electric fields, emitting UV light, which hits the phosphor and
making it glow.
3) Mercury is also somewhat toxic.

Bottom line... leave the fluorescent tubes intact.


Tesla list wrote:
> 
> Original poster: "Garry Freemyer" <Garry-at-NDFC-dot-com>
> 
> I wonder if you can take old florescent tubes and use a kind of brush to
> scrape the white powder inside that emits light when exposed to an electric
> field and paint a sign over a sheet of glass or plastic using clear varnish
> or glue and sprinkle this powder over the letters while it is still sticky.
> 
> Would the letters possibly emit light when the sign is brought close to the
> Tesla coil without needing a vacuum?
> 
> I bet this would make a most impressive display.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tesla list [mailto:tesla-at-pupman-dot-com]
> Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2000 4:01 PM
> To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> Subject: Re: Neon Tube Sourcings?
> 
> Original poster: Megavolt121-at-aol-dot-com
> 
> Harvey, all
>     If you aren't looking for any certain designs/ colors of neon tubes,
> check your local neon shop for scrap pieces they have either from taking
> down
> old signs or ones that weren't "perfect" enough for sale.
> 
> -alan