Abstract: A surface light source includes a plate type light source body having a sealed discharging space formed therein, a plate type electrode unit having a plurality of regions adjacent to at least one major surface of the light source body, and a multiple voltage applying unit operable to apply voltages independently to each of the plurality of regions. In this way, brightness of the surface light source can be controlled independently in each of the plurality of regions and a local dimming for a surface light source can be realized.

Abstract: There is provided a surface light source device comprising: a light source body including a plurality of discharge spaces therein, a first electrode and a second electrode applying a first voltage into the discharge spaces and arranged parallel to each other, and a third electrode applying a second voltage into the discharge spaces and facing the first and second electrodes and arranged in a direction of crossing the first and second electrodes. In accordance with the present invention, the discharge firing voltage and sustain voltage of the surface light source device can be lowered by applying the first and second voltage to the electrodes. Further, it is possible to divisionally drive the surface light source device by sequentially and/or selectively applying a voltage to divided parts of each electrode.

Abstract: There is provided a substrate for a surface light source device, comprising a first secondary electron emission layer including crystalline magnesium oxide (MgO) powder on a surface of the substrate. There is also provided a surface light source device comprising a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other at a predetermined distance between which a discharge space is formed; and an electrode to apply a discharge voltage to the discharge space, wherein a first secondary electron emission layer including crystalline MgO powder is formed on a surface of at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate. Preferably, the crystalline MgO powder is obtained by grinding an MgO sputtering target.

Abstract: A surface treatment layer containing alkali metal oxide is formed on at least one of substrates to form a body of a surface light source. The surface treatment layer may be formed of oxide by coating at least one of cesium, potassium, rubidium, and compound thereof on the surface of the substrate and by performing heat treatment to the substrate. The surface treatment layer containing alkali metal oxide easily emits secondary electrons and reduces firing voltage of the surface light source. Black start is improved, discharging efficiency is increased, and heat generated during the operation is decreased.

Abstract: There is provided a flat electrode for a surface light source, in which a conductive electrode is formed in a fine strip-shaped pattern on a plane. The flat electrode may comprise a base layer, an electrode pattern formed on the base layer, and a protection layer formed on the electrode pattern. There is also provided an ultra thin surface light source device which comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate which are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval; and a first surface electrode formed on the first substrate, and a second surface electrode formed on the second substrate. The surface light source device may further comprise a medium layer formed in at least one of spaces between the first substrate and the first surface electrode and between the second substrate and the second surface electrode.

Abstract: There is provided a surface light source device, including: a light source body having a first substrate and a second substrate between which a plurality of discharge spaces are formed, a discharge gas being provided into the discharge spaces; a reflecting layer formed on an inner surface of the first substrate; a first adsorption preventing layer formed on the reflecting layer, for preventing the discharge gas from being adsorbed to the reflecting layer; a first fluorescent layer formed on the first adsorption preventing layer; a second fluorescent layer formed on an inner surface of the second substrate; and an electrode applying a discharge voltage to the discharge gas. Accordingly, since the discharge gas is uniformly distributed in the discharge spaces, the surface light source device has improved brightness uniformity.

Abstract: There is provided a surface light source device containing 50 ppm or less of water, 50 ppm or less of nitrogen, 30 ppm or less of oxygen, 20 ppm or less of carbon monoxide, and 20 ppm or less of carbon dioxide as impurities in its discharge space. Accordingly, the surface light source device with the impurity standards has improved brightness.

Abstract: There are provided a method of manufacturing a surface light source device, and an apparatus for manufacturing a surface light source device using the method. According to the method, a light source body including a plurality of discharge spaces into which a discharge gas is injected is formed. Impurities being present in the discharge spaces are removed. A mercury gas is diffused into the discharge spaces. Then, the light source body is rapidly cooled from the temperature at which mercury exists in the gaseous state to a room temperature. The time for the mercury gas to be within the range of temperature at which the mercury gas is liquefied is significantly shortened, thereby preventing the liquefied mercury from moving to the region having a low temperature in the discharge spaces.