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1. MAKE THE ELECTRODES
Electrodes were prepared by spot welding short
lengths of fine tungsten wire onto nickel wire
supports (Figure
A
). The electrode assembly
was cleaned thoroughly with a mix of nonpolar
solvents. After cleaning, the tungsten portion of
each electrode was brushed with a torch flame
and allowed to cool from a white heat. This forms
the surface oxide which wets to the glass and
allows us to form a vacuum seal. Any loose oxide
is rubbed off using a cotton swab.
2. WELD ELECTRODES INTO GLASS
I prepared a piece of common “33 expansion”
borosilicate glass tubing by heating it to softness ...