Temperature and pressure effects in glow-discharge reference tubes

The effect of ambient-temperature variations on the running voltage of a glow-discharge reference tube is considered. Previous theories by Jurriaanse and Benson and Chalmers have been modified to provide a new and more accurate method of calculating temperature coefficients of running voltage. To verify the theory it has been necessary to determine running-voltage changes with tube current for different pressures and temperatures using pure neon and various neon-argon gas fillings. The results of these measurements are presented and discussed, and have formed a basis for numerical calculations of some temperature coefficients.