FLUORESCENT LAMP

PURPOSE:To move the discharge path inside a fluorescent lamp so as to achieve uniform emission over the entire lamp by switching applied voltage to multiple electrode pairs installed facing each other. CONSTITUTION:When a high frequency voltage is applied to a pair of electrodes 1 and 2 facing each other, mercuric electric discharge develops between the electrodes. The inner wall of a bulb 3 is coated with a phosphor which by being excited with ultraviolet rays produced by mercuric electric discharge emits color. The emission path is shifted by switching the electrode to which voltage is applied. A visualy uniform emission is achieved over the entire lamp by performing the switching at high speed. This fluorescent lamp can be used for general lighting, interior lighting, the light source part of a transmission-type liquid crystal display or the light source of an electric sign.