Abstract: A solid-state display comprises a glass plate on which is deposited an upper layer of parallel conductive tracks interrupted by recesses containing regions of conductive or semiconductive phosphor. An array of ballistic transistors within a semiconductor layer is in alignment on one side with the phosphor regions and on the other side with lower conductive tracks which extend at right angles to the tracks in the upper layer. When a voltage is applied to one of the tracks in the upper layer which is positive with respect to the voltage applied to one of the lower tracks it causes one of the transistors to emit electrons upwardly into the adjacent phosphor region. This causes fluorescence of the region and the emission of light through the glass plate.

Abstract: The electrodes of a flat panel cold cathode discharge lamp are each formed from a block of metal with holes arranged side-by-side along the electrode which open into the gas-discharge volume of the lamp. The holes extend at an angle of about 25-35 degrees away from the normal to the surface of the electrode and are formed by laser machining.

Abstract: A multicolor display has an LCD display unit with a matrix array of energizable regions. Below the unit are three planar discharge lamps mounted one above the other which emit respectively blue, red and green light. Each lamp has an array of transparent pillars which support opposite plates of the lamps and which are aligned with one another and with the energizable regions of the display unit.

Abstract: A flat, light-emitting discharge panel, such as for back lighting displays, has two parallel transparent glass plates which are spaced by rows of pyramid-shape pillars. The pillars are formed integrally with at least one of the plates. The space between the two plates contains a discharge gas at reduced pressure, the inner surface of the plates and the surface of the pillars being coated with a phosphor which emits light on discharge in the panel. The outer surface of one plate has a reflector which reflects emitted light through the panel to the display. The pillars have angled surfaces which reflect light out of the panel and which act as light guides.

Abstract: A radiation-emitting panel such as for back lighting a display has three transparent glass plates sealed together around their edges to form two gas-discharge volumes. The plates are supported within their edges by two identical arrays of pillars formed integrally from the plates. The lower surface of the lower plate is profiled with inverted frusto-pyramids and coated with a reflecting layer. Electrodes normally cause discharge within the upper volume, and the emission of light. Electrodes can be used to excite the lower volume, such as on failure of the upper volume, the reflector acting to reflect light preferentially into the pillars.

Abstract: An electrode for a cold cathode discharge lamp, has several parallel recesses extending across the width of the electrode and at an angle of about 35 degrees away from the normal to its surface. The electrode may be formed by folding a strip of metal so that the recesses are formed between adjacent folds of the strip. Alternatively, the electrode may be a block of metal in which the recesses are slots formed in a surface of the block. The electrode may be included in a tubular lamp or in a planar lamp.