Despite the fact that the neon lamp was invented quite a long time ago, it is still actively used to this day. Its most numerous application is in power indicators. Surely you also have an extension cord or surge protector at home with a glowing switch, where such an indicator is built into the neon.
Its use today is due to its high efficiency. Even the most economical one is inferior to it Light-emitting diode. Neon is so low-power that it can glow from weak discharges of static or electromagnetic radiation.
Simple flasher
It is very easy to assemble a flasher on a neon lamp. No transistors or other logic elements are needed. Diode, capacitor, resistor (read more here - https://enn.washerhouse.com/6136-2-prostejshie-migalki-na-220-v.html)
Unknown feature of neon lamp
Well, now about a little-known feature. It turns out that a neon lamp can generate electricity! And now let's check it.
Connect the lamp to multimeter. Multimeter We set the DC current measurement to the lowest limit.
We shine an LED on the lamp.
And as we see, multimeter shows values up to one millivolt.
And the most interesting thing is that if you change the direction of the glow to the opposite and illuminate the neon from the other side, then the readings multimeter will also change to the opposite!
This feature of the neon lamp is not described in any textbooks.
This effect is explained very simply: when illuminated, light causes electrons to move from one electrode to another. This explains the change in polarity when changing the side of the glow.
Yes, of course, some transistors and diodes also produce current when their crystal is illuminated. But there is no need to compare semiconductor devices with gas-discharge paws.
