Positioning of auxiliary amalgam

A method of positioning an auxiliary amalgam in a compact fluorescent lamp comprising:

• providing a sealed envelope having an interior surface forming a discharge tube;
• disposing a fill gas which includes mercury vapor within the discharge tube;
• providing a continuous arc path with cathodes disposed at each end of the arc path;
• and
• locating an auxiliary amalgam in the sealed envelope between the cathodes and dispersed in the arc to be heated thereby for emitting mercury vapor during at least a starting period.

A compact fluorescent lamp comprising;

• a sealed envelope having an interior surface forming a discharge tube;
• a fill gas including mercury vapor disposed within the discharge tube;
• a phosphor coating disposed on the inner surface of the tube;
• a continuous arc path with a cathodes disposed at each end of the arc path;
• and
• an auxiliary amalgam located in the sealed envelope between the cathodes and dispersed in the arc to be heated thereby for emitting mercury vapor during at least a starting period.