A cold cathode light can be described as a transducer converting electrical energy into light energy. The cold cathode technology is closely related to the familiar “neon”. Cold cathode refers to the type of electrode in the lamp ends. Cold cathode electrodes do not rely on high temperatures in the emitter to create the electrical discharge through the tube.

The light source may produce ultraviolet energy by ionization of the gas mixture trough application of high voltage to the electrodes, causing a phosphor coating inside the glass lamp envelope to produce the required light quality.

Essential advantages of cold cathode lamps are the ability to produce unfiltered narrow banded light, the simplicity of its electrodes and the driver electronics. Further advantages are increased durability, and improved lamp life.