Gas-discharge devices and display panels

A gas-discharge device comprising:

• envelope means defining an enclosed space containing an ionizable gas, first and second electrode means within said envelope means, discharge-path means defining a gas-discharge path between a surface portion of said first electrode means and a surface portion of said second electrode means, said discharge-path means including charge-collecting means controlling field conditions along said path as a function of time for controlling the breakdown voltage and hence the time of production of a gas-discharge in said path, said charge-collecting means comprising a member of a dielectric material having an opening therein and having a surface portion extending away from said opening therein and defining a portion of said path, said first electrode means being disposed against said one face of said member of dielectric material and said surface portion of said first electrode means being an annular surface defining an opening larger than and in generally coaxial relation to said opening in said member of dielectric material.

A gas-discharge device comprising:

• envelope means defining an enclosed space containing an ionizable gas, first and second electrode means within said envelope means, discharge-path means defining a gas-discharge path between a surface portion of said first electrode means and a surface portion of said second electrode means, said discharge-path means including charge-collecting means controlling field conditions along said path as a function of time for controlling the breakdown voltage and hence the time of production of a gas-discharge in said path, said discharge-path means defining a plurality of additional gas-discharge paths between surface portions of said first electrode means and surface portions of said second electrode means, and said discharge-path means including charge-collecting means controlling field conditions along said additional gas-discharge paths as a function of time for controlling the breakdown voltages and hence the time of production of gas discharges in said additional paths, said first electrode means comprising a metal sheet having a plurality of openings aligned with said discharge paths.

A gas-discharge device comprising:

• envelope means defining an enclosed space containing an ionizable gas, first and second electrode means within said envelope means, discharge-path means defining a gas-discharge path between a surface portion of said first electrode means and a surface portion of said second electrode means, said discharge-path means including charge-collecting means controlling field conditions along said path as a function of time for controlling the breakdown voltage and hence the time of production of a gas-discharge in said path, said discharge-path means defining a plurality of additional gas-discharge paths between surface portions of said first electrode means and surface portions of said second electrode means, and said discharge-path means including charge-collecting means controlling field conditions along said additional gas-discharge paths as a function of time for controlling the breakdown voltages and hence the time of production of gas discharges in said additional paths, said envelope means including a transparent wall;
• and said first electrode means having a plurality of openings therethrough permitting viewing of light produced by said discharges through said transparent wall, said first electrode means being of a woven material.