EXTERNAL ELECTRODE TYPE LAMP, BACKLIGHT UNIT, AND LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY DEVICE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an external electrode type lamp or the like capable of suppressing the voltage applied to the external electrode more than conventionally in order to start discharge. SOLUTION: In the external electrode type fluorescent lamp which has a glass container 4 being a discharge container where a discharge medium is sealed into the inside, and first and second external electrodes 6, 8 arranged outside the glass container 4, by making an effective area of the first external electrode 6 larger than that of the second external electrode, the electrostatic capacitance of a first capacitor constituted of the first external electrode 6, and a first dielectric part including the glass container 4 part existing between the first external electrode 6 and the discharge medium has been made larger than that of a second capacitor constituted of the second external electrode 8, and a second dielectric part including the glass container 4 part existing between the second external electrode 8 and the discharge medium. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT