Abstract: The invention relates to a discharge lamp, comprising a light-transmissive discharge vessel (2) filled with an ionisable substance (3), and at least two electrodes (4) connected to said vessel, between which electrodes a discharge extends during lamp operation, wherein at least one electrode is adapted for capacitive coupling of HF electrical energy to said ionisable substance, and is characterised in that said discharge vessel part which comprises said capacitive electrode is shaped such that it has an increased surface area with respect to the remaining part of the discharge vessel. The invention also relates to a backlight module for backlighting a display device comprising at least one discharge lamp according to the invention. The invention further relates to a display device provided with at least one backlight module according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a back-lighting device, comprising a housing (10) with a plurality of fluorescent lamps (12), which are operated either individually or in groups (11A, 11B, 11C), wherein operation is controlled by a control device (1) which is fed with response signal; from one or more sensor devices (13A, 13B, 13C). The response signals relate to the intensity of the (groups) of fluorescent lamps. This allows a correction of inhomogeneities in the intensity distribution, based on group or individual variations, and thus a more homogeneous illumination. The invention also provides a display device comprising a back-lighting device according to the invention and a liquid crystal display.