# Plasma in plasma TV's
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plasma-in-plasma-tvs/128289
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [September 13, 2002, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plasma-in-plasma-tvs/128289 "2002-09-13T14:36:50Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@cards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cards)
#### Post date: [September 13, 2002, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plasma-in-plasma-tvs/128289/1 "2002-09-13T14:36:50Z")
So what is the plasma in those TV’s? I assumed it was a gas, but what comprises it? Also, is it really “plasma” by definition or is the term more of a marketing term?
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### Author:  [@scm1001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scm1001)
#### Post date: [September 13, 2002, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plasma-in-plasma-tvs/128289/2 "2002-09-13T16:45:31Z")
It is more like a minature fluorescent lamp. There is some plasma formed (ionised gas) caused by the ejection of electrons into the gas, which causes an ultraviolet glow, which stimulates the coloured phosphors.
see [http://www.howstuffworks.com/plasma-display1.htm](http://www.howstuffworks.com/plasma-display1.htm)
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### Author:  [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)
#### Post date: [September 15, 2002, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plasma-in-plasma-tvs/128289/3 "2002-09-15T13:12:47Z")
Yes, they definitely have plasma in them when they’re operating. It’s not plasma when you buy it, only when they turn on. Like the steam in a steam cleaner. When it’s off, there is a little gas instead, probably at a pressure less than atmospheric (because lower pressure lets it become a plasma with less power).
Don’t know what gas or gas mixture they use.