neon tube memories

[Tom Jennings]

http://wps.com/archives/Burroughs/images/N101-5.jpg

OUCH! OK, assuming Nixies are more or less the same as other Ne
devices, they will make lousy memories.

* Ionization time is approxmately 50mS. Longer in the dark!
   With keepalive currents etc "as low as 10 microseconds".
   OK they're slow.

* electrode deterioration is via sputtering, not impurities.
   Varies approx. as the 3rd-power of current.

Clearly, neons in HP counters are probably the traditional
constant bias generators. They were typically used in DC-coupled
amplifiers to provide plate-to-next-grid drop.

Neons also got used with CdS cells and the like to make 60Hz photo
choppers.

Unless someone has som ehard data on them being used "digitally"
I'd assume the HP counter use was simply as generic, non-switching
circuit elements.


A write-only neon memory would still make a nice addressable
display!