Abstract: Disclosed is a flat fluorescent lamp having a uniform screen brightness, by inducing a discharge even at a low discharge initiating voltage, minimizing a non-luminescent region, and maintaining an optimal luminance uniformity. Further, a backlight unit using the flat fluorescent lamp is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a back light device for LCDs. The back light device includes an inverter to supply an alternating current or a pulse, a plurality of fluorescent lamps to radiate visible light, a reflection member to reflect the light radiated from the fluorescent lamps, a diffusion member to diffuse the light, and a frame to house the above elements therein. An external electrode is provided at a first end of each of the fluorescent lamps, and an internal electrode is provided at a second end of each of the fluorescent lamps. An extension electrode is provided on an outer surface of the second end of each of the fluorescent lamps to be connected to an associated internal electrode. A holding terminal is provided at each of both ends of each fluorescent lamp to connect the external and extension electrodes to each other. Further, an inverter is provided to operate the fluorescent lamps.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a direct-type back light device, capable of maintaining uniform luminance, and reducing manufacturing costs and power consumption, in addition to being easy to assemble and to accomplish thinness. The back light device includes a frame, a diffusion member provided in an upper portion of the frame to diffuse light, a plurality of fluorescent lamps provided under the diffusion member to radiate the light, a reflection member provided under the plurality of fluorescent lamps to reflect the light radiated from the fluorescent lamps, a lamp holder to hold each of the plurality of fluorescent lamps, an inverter to turn on or off the plurality of fluorescent lamps, and a capacitive circuit element and an insulator provided on first and second ends of the fluorescent lamps, respectively, to connect the plurality of the fluorescent lamps to the inverter in parallel with each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a surface light source apparatus in which a light guide pattern portion is formed on a light guide panel includes a pattern design system to which data about a pattern to be formed on the light guide pattern is input. A control system is connected to the pattern design system and transmits a position signal matching a coordinate value of each pattern to be formed on the light guide panel. A header moving portion mechanically moves vertically and horizontally according to the position signal received from the control system. A laser system outputs a laser beam according to a pulse signal synchronized with a movement of the header moving portion. A lens portion allows a laser beam output from the laser system to pass the header moving portion and to be focused on a scanning surface of the light guide panel. A warp prevention unit prevents the light guide panel from warping due to a local heating by the laser beam.