DISCHARGE TUBE FOR COMPACT FLUORESCENT LAMP AND COMPACT FLUORESCENT LAMP

A discharge tube arrangement for a compact fluorescent lamp is provided. The tube forms a continuous arc path and has electrodes disposed at each end of the arc path. The discharge tube arrangement comprises a first cold chamber in order to control and maintain a required mercury vapor pressure. The first cold chamber is located in a longitudinal end portion of the tube arrangement. The discharge tube arrangement is further provided with at least one second cold chamber, which is positioned between the longitudinal end portions of the discharge tube arrangement. The at least one second cold chamber is positioned on the wall of the tube, and has a cold chamber wall protruding substantially away from the central axis of the discharge tube arrangement. The discharge tube arrangement may have a coiled configuration with helical tube portions or a multifinger configuration with straight tube members.