Definition

Noun: A sealed glass or metal tube containing a gas at low pressure, through which an electric current can pass, causing the gas to emit light. This is the fundamental operating principle behind various types of lamps and display devices.

Usage

The term "gas-discharge tube" is a technical noun used to describe a specific class of electrical components. It is typically used in scientific, engineering, and technical contexts.

Examples

• The neon sign is a common application of a gas-discharge tube.
• Older television sets and computer monitors often used a cathode-ray tube, which is a specialized type of gas-discharge tube.
• The physicist studied the properties of different gases within a gas-discharge tube.

Advanced Usage

• As a categorical term: The phrase can be used to categorize a family of devices, including neon lamps, fluorescent lamps, and plasma displays, which all operate on the same basic principle.
  • Fluorescent lighting is a more efficient form of gas-discharge tube technology.

Variants and Related Words

• Discharge tube: A common shortened form.
• Geissler tube: A historical type of gas-discharge tube used for demonstration and study.
• Neon tube: A specific type of gas-discharge tube filled with neon gas.
• Fluorescent lamp: A gas-discharge tube that uses a phosphor coating to produce visible light.

Synonyms

• Electric-discharge lamp
• Vapor lamp

Related Phrases

• Cold cathode tube: A type of gas-discharge tube that does not use a heated filament to emit electrons.
• Plasma display: A modern display technology that utilizes millions of tiny gas-discharge cells.

Noun

1. a tube in which an electric discharge takes place through a gas