Re: 40w globe lightbulb = safe plasma ball?

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <Fucian-at-aol-dot-com>

In a message dated 10/10/02 9:28:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
tesla-at-pupman-dot-com writes:

<< The getter in tubes is a barium or zirconium that is burned to eat up the
 last of the oxygen in the tube. That also leaves the silber or brown stuff
 on the inside of the glass. It's a chemical process, not about electron
 beams making a vacuum.
 
 KEN
  >>
hmm i know helium-neon lasers use this type of process but it is the 
electricity that causes it to work.The older "soft-seal" tubes REQUIRE to be 
left on when not in use to extend the life. While its on it will remove 
unwanted "stuff" in the tube...Im guessing air that makes its way in to the 
tube....I wouldnt think though that lightbulbs would require an arc or 
anything because they dont see high voltage.

Matt