How Do Neon Lights Work?

The Basic Neon Light Construction

Neon light designs vary wildly, and some of the most elaborate neon installations may have very unique constructions. But your average neon sign is very simple, and consists of one or more molded glass tubes filled with low-density neon gas and capped with metal electrodes at each end. Unlike an ordinary household light bulb, there is no filament running through a neon light. Light is created by means of an atomic reaction with the neon.

How Light is Generated With Neon

Neon signs are connected to high-voltage transformers that charge the electrode on one end of a tube with a positive charge and the electrode on the other end with a negative charge. Positive and negative electrical charges are attracted to one another, and in this instance they rely on the neon atoms to reach one another. The neon gas establishes a connection between the electrodes, enabling an active electrical charge to build. When this charge comes in contact with neon atoms, it causes their electrons to change speeds, which in turn releases a photon. It is the photon that emits what we refer to as neon light.

Controlling the Color

The color and brightness of any given neon gas' photons is dependent upon the severity of the atomic reaction. When the neon particle receives its electrical charge, the electron speeds up and then slows back down to its original orbital. The difference in speed between its normal orbital and its sped-up rate is what determines the color and brightness. The most common form of neon gas maintains an orbital that leads to photons that are bright red.

The colors of commercial neon signs are controlled in three ways. In one method, neon gases are produced at specific atomic orbitals so that the gases themselves produce the desired colors. In this system, some colors are more difficult or time consuming to produce than others, which results in colors that are more expensive than others. In another method, a smaller range of neon colors can be used in conjunction with tubes that are treated with clear chemicals that tint the color. Lastly, some of the least expensive neon lights make use of a single neon color and painted tubes. These signs, however, tend to be less vibrant because the neon is shaded by the layers of paint.