Abstract: An electrode member for a cold cathode fluorescent lamp which is excellent in sputtering resistance and a discharge property, and which is excellent in productivity, a method of producing the electrode member, and a cold cathode fluorescent lamp are provided. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp 1 includes a glass tube 20 and electrode members 10 arranged in the tube 20. Each of the electrode members 10 includes an electrode main body portion 11 having a bottomed tubular shape and a lead portion 12 arranged at a sealing portion of the glass tube 20, and the portions 11 and 12 are integrally formed. The electrode members 10 contain at least one type of element selected from Ti, Hf, Zr, V, Nb, Mo, W, Sr, Ba, B, Th, Al, Y, Mg, In, Ca, Sc, Ga, Ge, Ag, Rh, Ta, and rare earth elements (other than Y and Sc) in a total amount in the range of 0.01 to 5.0 percent by mass, and the balance composed of a Fe—Ni alloy and impurities.

Abstract: A cold-cathode fluorescent lamp having high brightness with long life and an electrode for this lamp are offered. The electrode comprises a base and a covering layer that covers the surface of the base. The base is formed of one metal selected from nickel, a nickel alloy, iron, and an iron alloy. Consequently, a base having a shape, such as a cup, can be easily produced. The covering layer comprises (a) a surface layer made of tungsten or molybdenum and (b) a bonding layer that is made of zinc alloy and that is placed between the base and the surface layer. In comparison with nickel and iron, tungsten and molybdenum are resistant to sputtering, have a small work function, and have a high melting point. The presence of the bonding layer enables sufficient bonding between the surface layer and base. A cold-cathode fluorescent lamp provided with the foregoing electrode can suppress the reduction in brightness and the consumption of the electrode. Therefore, it has high brightness and long life.

Abstract: A cold-cathode fluorescent lamp having high brightness with long life and an electrode for this lamp are offered. At least one part of the electrode surface is formed by using one material selected from the group consisting of rhodium, palladium, and alloys of these. For example, a surface layer made of the foregoing material is formed on a base. To increase the bonding strength between the surface layer and the base, a bonding layer made of gold or gold alloy is formed on the base. Because a metal such as rhodium is resistant to alloying with mercury and has a high melting point, a cold-cathode fluorescent lamp provided with an electrode made of the foregoing metal can suppress not only the consumption of the mercury due to the formation of an amalgam but also the reduction in brightness due to insufficient discharging. Furthermore, because the lamp can suppress the consumption of the mercury and electrode, the lamp has long life.