I What kind of old physics tube is this?

[greypilgrim]

Hi.

I found this strange device in an old physics collection of a Swiss school. What could it be? I think the tag reads "2037. Dolomiti". The Dolomites are a mountain range in Italy. A Geiger counter didn't detect any unusual activity.

 

[DrDu]

I don't know, either, but dolomite is also a mineral, CaMg(CO3)2, which may be the stone you can see.
May be some sort of x-ray or electron induced fluorescence.

 

[Klystron]

If memory serves, dolomite exhibits pizeo-electric effects as well.

 

[tech99]

If memory serves, dolomite exhibits pizeo-electric effects as well.

According to a geology web site, Dolomite mineral often contains flourite. https://geology.com/minerals/dolomite.shtml
This is the material after which fluorescence is named, because it glows under UV etc. The tube seems to have one electrode, so I am not sure how it would be used, but may have been to investigate fluorescence and electron emission, or may have been intended to be connected to an induction coil and produce fluorescence in the manner of a Geissler tube.

 

[davenn]

The tube seems to have one electrode, so I am not sure how it would be used,

I suspect that is a getter for burning off the gas inside the tube