Abstract: A fluorescent lamp has a glass container that has a phosphor layer formed on an inner surface of the glass container, and that is hermetically sealed, wherein phosphors of the phosphor layer include a blue phosphor, a green phosphor, and a red phosphor, a main luminescence peak of the blue phosphor exists in a wavelength region in a range of 430 nm to 460 nm inclusive, a half-value width of a spectrum of the main luminescence peak of the blue phosphor is less than or equal to 50 nm, a main luminescence peak of the green phosphor exists in a wavelength region in a range of 510 nm to 530 nm inclusive, a half-value width of a spectrum of the main luminescence peak of the green phosphor is less than or equal to 30 nm, and a main luminescence peak of the red phosphor exists in a wavelength region in a range of 600 nm to 780 nm inclusive, and a difference between a wavelength of the main luminescence peak of the blue phosphor and a wavelength of the main luminescence peak of the green phosphor is in a range of 70 n

Abstract: A backlight unit has an external electrode fluorescent lamp in an housing. The external electrode fluorescent lamp includes a glass bulb having a discharge space inside, and electrodes around both ends of the glass bulb. A protective layer and a phosphor layer are formed on an internal surface of the glass bulb in this order. The glass bulb is made of soda glass, and sodium oxide precipitated from this soda glass appears on part of the internal surface of the glass bulb where the protective layer is not formed, so as to be exposed to the discharge space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manufacturing method for a phosphor suspension to be applied to an inner surface of a glass bulb of a fluorescent lamp, and a fluorescent lamp manufactured with use of the phosphor suspension. The method comprising the steps of kneading a mixture (38) of a small amount of solvent (32) including a thickening agent and a phosphor powder (30), and agitating the mixture after adding a solvent (40) including a thickening agent and a binding agent, and a metal compound as a coating agent (42) to the mixture. The fluorescent lamp pertaining to the present invention includes a phosphor layer formed by applying the phosphor suspension manufactured by the above-described method to the inner surface of the glass bulb, drying the suspension, and baking the suspension. Since the method pertaining to the present invention comprises the step of kneading, the phosphor particles included in the formed phosphor layer are densely arranged.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp (20) includes a glass bulb (30) that has mercury enclosed therein, and a phosphor layer (32) formed on an inner side of the glass bulb (30). The phosphor layer (32) includes three types of phosphor particles, which are red phosphor particles (32R), green phosphor particles (32G) and blue phosphor particles (32B) that are excited by ultraviolet radiation to emit red light, green light and blue light respectively. The blue phosphor particles (32B) and green phosphor particles (32G) have a property of absorbing ultraviolet radiation with a wavelength of 313 nm.

Abstract: A backlight unit has an external electrode fluorescent lamp in a housing. The external electrode fluorescent lamp includes a glass bulb having a discharge space inside, and electrodes around both ends of the glass bulb. A protective layer and a phosphor layer are formed on an internal surface of the glass bulb in this order. The glass bulb is made of soda glass, and sodium oxide precipitated from this soda glass appears on part of the internal surface of the glass bulb where the protective layer is not formed, so as to be exposed to the discharge space.

Abstract: An electrodeless self-ballasted fluorescent lamp includes: a luminous bulb 1 having a cavity portion 15; an induction coil 3 inserted in the cavity portion 15; a ballast 4 electrically connected to the induction coil 3; and a base 7, wherein the luminous bulb 1, the ballast 4 and the base 7 are configured as one unit. The luminous bulb 1 includes an approximately spherical outer tube 12 and an inner tube 11. At least the surface of the upper hemisphere of the outer tube 12 is coated with a silicone rubber 10 having the property of transmitting light.

Abstract: A backlight unit has an external electrode fluorescent lamp in an housing. The external electrode fluorescent lamp includes a glass bulb having a discharge space inside, and electrodes around both ends of the glass bulb. A protective layer and a phosphor layer are formed on an internal surface of the glass bulb in this order. The glass bulb is made of soda glass, and sodium oxide precipitated from this soda glass appears on part of the internal surface of the glass bulb where the protective layer is not formed, so as to be exposed to the discharge space.

Abstract: A discharge lamp operating apparatus includes a DC power circuit portion for outputting a DC voltage; an inverter circuit including a switching element provided with a control terminal for converting an output from the DC power circuit portion to an AC voltage; a control terminal driving circuit for controlling the switching element provided with a control terminal to be on or off; and a resonant load circuit including a discharge lamp, a first inductor and a first capacitor. The control terminal driving circuit includes a drive winding mutually coupled to the first inductor; a series circuit of a voltage clamp element and an impedance element, the series circuit being connected to at least one end of the drive winding, and the control terminal driving circuit is configured to control the switching element provided with a control terminal to be on or off by a voltage generated at the drive winding.

Abstract: An electrodeless self-ballasted fluorescent lamp includes: a luminous bulb 1 having a cavity portion 15; an induction coil 3 inserted in the cavity portion 15; a ballast 4 electrically connected to the induction coil 3; and a base 7, wherein the luminous bulb 1, the ballast 4 and the base 7 are configured as one unit. The luminous bulb 1 includes an approximately spherical outer tube 12 and an inner tube 11. At least the surface of the upper hemisphere of the outer tube 12 is coated with a silicone rubber 10 having the property of transmitting light.

Abstract: A self-ballasted electrodeless discharge lamp includes a discharge vessel having a cavity, an induction coil that is inserted into the cavity, a ballast for supplying power to the induction coil, a case for covering the ballast, and a lamp base provided in the case. The discharge vessel is secured to the case via a holder. A part of the discharge vessel and a first portion of the holder are engaged with each other to constitute a combination structure. A second portion of the holder and a part of the case are engaged with each other to constitute a combination structure.

Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent lamp according to the present invention includes: a luminous bulb in which mercury in a liquid state is enclosed as a light emitting substance and which includes a cavity portion; an induction coil which is inserted into the cavity portion and generates an electromagnetic field for generating electric discharge in the luminous bulb; a ballast circuit electrically connected to the induction coil; and a luminophor layer which is provided on the inner surface of the luminous bulb and converts light radiated from the mercury to visible light. In the electrodeless fluorescent lamp, a manganese-activated deep red luminescent substance (3.5MgO·0.5 MgF2.GeO2:Mn4+) is contained only in part of the luminophor layer provided on a surface of the cavity portion facing the inner surface of the luminous bulb.

Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp includes a translucent bulb enclosing a luminous material; a coil for generating an alternating magnetic field that causes discharge in the luminous material; a power source for supplying an alternating current to the coil, the coil including a core and a winding provided near the bulb; and further includes startability improving means for improving startability of the lamp by generating a portion in which the alternating magnetic field generated by the coil is intensified in the bulb.

Abstract: A discharge lamp operating apparatus includes a DC power circuit portion for outputting a DC voltage; an inverter circuit including a switching element provided with a control terminal for converting an output from the DC power circuit portion to an AC voltage; a control terminal driving circuit for controlling the switching element provided with a control terminal to be on or off; and a resonant load circuit including a discharge lamp, a first inductor and a first capacitor. The control terminal driving circuit includes a drive winding mutually coupled to the first inductor; a series circuit of a voltage clamp element and an impedance element, the series circuit being connected to at least one end of the drive winding, and the control terminal driving circuit is configured to control the switching element provided with a control terminal to be on or off by a voltage generated at the drive winding.

Abstract: A self-ballasted electrodeless discharge lamp includes a discharge vessel having a cavity, an induction coil that is inserted into the cavity, a ballast for supplying power to the induction coil, a case for covering the ballast, and a lamp base provided in the case. The discharge vessel is secured to the case via a holder. A part of the discharge vessel and a first portion of the holder are engaged with each other to constitute a combination structure. A second portion of the holder and a part of the case are engaged with each other to constitute a combination structure.

Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp includes a translucent bulb enclosing a luminous material; a coil for generating an alternating magnetic field that causes discharge in the luminous material; a power source for supplying an alternating current to the coil, the coil including a core and a winding provided near the bulb; and further includes startability improving means for improving startability of the lamp by generating a portion in which the alternating magnetic field generated by the coil is intensified in the bulb.