A Nixie tube is a historic glass envelope containing a wire-mesh anode and multiple cathodes shaped like numbers or symbols. When a high DC voltage is applied, the selected cathode is surrounded by an orange neon glow discharge. Once the standard for multimeters and frequency counters, they were entirely replaced by LEDs and LCDs but remain highly prized in custom retro-electronics.
We need a 170-volt boost converter to drive the Nixie tubes on this clock project.
Also heard as
- cold-cathode display
Related terms
Cold cathode
A vacuum tube electrode that emits electrons without relying on a dedicated heating filament.
Vacuum tube
An evacuated glass or metal envelope containing electrodes used to control electron flow.
VFD
A vacuum fluorescent display is a high-contrast, self-illuminating display device that emits a bright green or blue glow.