cold cathode
Heatless electron emitter
A cold cathode is an electrode that emits electrons without being heated, unlike the hot filaments in incandescent bulbs or vacuum tubes.
Cold cathode tubes—including neon signs and some fluorescent lamps—use high voltage rather than heat to release electrons.
The term distinguishes these from thermionic (hot) cathodes in traditional electronics.
Negative subatomic particle
- emissionDischarged substance or act
- diodeOne-way semiconductor
- rectifierAC-to-DC converter
- triodeThree-element electron tube
valve · grid · plasma · voltage · current · ionization · electrode · thermionic
Inert illuminating element
- fluorescentEmitting light when energized
- glowSteady, soft light
- backlightIllumination behind a display
- signagePosted public displays
tubing · phosphor · luminescence · argon · krypton · xenon · advertising · retro
electron
Negative subatomic particle
triode · valve · grid · plasma · voltage · current · ionization · electrode · thermionic · display
neon
Inert illuminating element
- fluorescentEmitting light when energized
- glowSteady, soft light
- backlightIllumination behind a display
signage · tubing · phosphor · luminescence · argon · krypton · xenon · advertising · retro · ambient
- cathodes
- discharge tubesfluorescent tube, neon tube, neon lamp, neon light, neon bulb
- vacuum tubesvacuum tube, electron tube, triode, pentode, tetrode
- signsstop sign, sign, signs, road sign, exit
- neon lightingneon signs, neon tubes, neon glow, neon art, neon colors