Abstract
Contact surfaces of miniature reed switches were examined with a scanning Auger microprobe. After life-time tests under low load conditions, one or more dark spots on the contact surface were visible, consisting mostly of carbon or carbonaceous compounds. Further, some attempts were made to establish the possible origin of this carbon contamination. The N 2H 2 reed switch filling gas was analyzed with gas chromatography and no impurity gases were found in it. Therefore, gases released from glass and metal or formed during the sealing operation were suspected. A special device was constructed to enable high frequency induction sealing of the kovar (FeNiCo) wire to the glass in purified hydrogen. With gas chromatography the following impurities were detected: H 2O, CO, CO 2, CH 4 and minor quantities of C 2H n ( n=2−6).
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