I was wondering if anyone had any information on creating a plasma out of mercury gas. I really just want to know if it can be done and at what voltages and amperage should be used. Also a side question what would be the volume equation needed to figure out how much space mercury in a gas form would take up in a closed space. Thank you to anyone who can help.

I would imagine you can create the plasma (pretty sure thats why fluoro-tubes contain mercury?)- how specifically I cannot say, but any high voltage would cause the breakdown needed, amperage will only depend on what your doing with it (for example, if making a discharge tube you would need sufficient amperage to create the brightness needed). In order to create the mercury gas at cold temperatures- you will need low pressure. The volume dosen't matter so much- make it fit the application- then you just need a little bit of mercury (pretty sure a few milligrams should do) and a good vacuum pump.

 

Remember, Hg discharge spectrum contains significant UV (although this wont matter if you are using glass).