| abstract |
The display panel is gas-filled and includes a base plate on which a plurality of groups of cathodes and their conductors are formed, each group of cathodes being operable to display a character. The panel also includes a face plate, spaced from the base plate, and carrying transparent conductive anodes, each associated with one group of cathodes. The panel includes a tubulation secured to the base plate through which gas and mercury vapor are introduced into the panel through a hole in the panel base plate. A fine mesh nickel screen is disposed in the tubulation adjacent to the hole in the base plate to prevent an excess of free mercury from entering the panel and, at the same time, to provide a source of mercury by way of the mercury which amalgamates with the screen. |