Patent ID: 7205712

Claim:
A light tube for a cold cathode fluorescent lamp, comprising: a light tube body, having a first end portion and second end portion, containing an inert gas, a mercury substance and a layer of phosphor coated on an inner surface of said light tube body; an anode, disposed at said first end portion in said light tube body, adapted for connecting to a positive terminal of electricity; a cathode, disposed at said second end portion in said light tube body, adapted for electrically connecting to said negative terminal for emitting electrons to excite said mercury substance for conducting said electrons to said anode as an electric loop, wherein said excited mercury substance emits ultra violet rays causing said phosphor coating to generate visible light; and wherein said cathode is coated with a gas absorber comprising a zirconium-aluminum alloy with oxygen absorption properties that slows an oxidizing decay rate of the cathode, enables activation of the gas absorber at an activation temperature lower than 900 degrees Celsius, and increases useful life of the cathode.