JP2001006608A - Rare gas discharge lamp, its manufacture, and device using such discharge lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a discharge lamp having a high brightness and good light emitting efficiency. SOLUTION: Inside a lamp tube 53 a pair of band-shaped internal electrodes 54 and 55 are installed closely with a gap 58 interposed. The gas pressure of xenon 69 is made over 200 Torr by positioning the two electrodes closely to each other, which ensures a light emission with high brightness. Because electric discharge is likely to take place near the gap 58, an intense light is generated in a phosphor layer 56 in the neighbourhood of the gap 58.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rare gas discharge lamp and a method for manufacturing the same. The present invention also relates to an information device using the lamp, such as a facsimile machine, a copying machine, an image reader, and a scanner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 9 and FIG.
It is a figure which shows the conventional rare gas discharge lamp described in Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 61.

FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway front view showing a straight tube type external electrode type discharge lamp L (fluorescent lamp), and FIG.
9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the lamp L of FIG. 9 taken along line CC.

In the drawing, reference numeral 1 denotes a straight tube-shaped transparent glass bulb made of soda-lime glass, lead glass, or the like, having an outer diameter of about 8.0 mm and an inner diameter of about 7.0 mm, both ends of which are hermetically closed. . Reference numeral 2 denotes a phosphor coating formed on the inner surface of the bulb 1. The phosphor coating 2 has an aperture shape having an opening 3 along which the coating is not applied along the tube axis direction of the bulb. . Xenon (Xe) as a discharge medium in the bulb 1 is less than 200 Torr, for example, 70 Torr.
Torr enclosed.

Further, reference numerals 4a and 4b denote band-shaped external electrodes formed of a pair of aluminum tapes formed on the outer surface of the bulb 1 in parallel along the tube axis direction. It is provided optically and electrically separated corresponding to the portion 3. Reference numeral 5 denotes a thin protective film made of silicon formed on the surface of the aluminum tape and the entire outer peripheral surface of the bulb 1 to prevent creeping discharge between the external electrodes 4a and 4b.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a pulse lighting circuit device for generating a pulse wave, the output of which is output from the external electrodes 4a,
4b.

[0007] The discharge lamp L having the above configuration is lit by power supply from the pulse lighting circuit device 6 connected to the external electrodes 4a and 4b. When pulse wave power of, for example, 1.6 KV and 40 KHz is applied to the external electrodes 4 a and 4 b from the pulse lighting circuit device 6, a discharge occurs between the external electrodes 4 a and 4 b separated from the inside of the bulb 1. This discharge ionizes and excites the rare gas to generate ultraviolet light, which is converted to visible light by the phosphor coating 2 and reflected by the phosphor coating 2, and most of the visible light is converted to visible light by the phosphor coating 2. The light is radiated to the outside through the bulb 1 in the light projection opening 3 where no 2 is formed.

The pressure of the rare gas containing xenon gas sealed as a discharge medium inside the bulb is 200 Torr or less.
The higher the xenon sealing pressure in the rare gas is, the higher the brightness is. However, if the pressure exceeds 200 Torr, there is a problem that flickering occurs during lighting. Conversely, if it is too low, it will be dark and have a short life.

FIG. 11 shows another example of a conventional rare gas discharge lamp described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-82101, and is a cross-sectional view of the lamp. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 11 denotes a rare gas discharge fluorescent lamp, reference numeral 12 denotes a straight cylindrical glass bulb having a diameter of 10 mm and a length of 220 mm constituting the fluorescent lamp 11, and a phosphor layer 13 is provided on almost the entire inner wall of the glass bulb 12. Xenon, which is a rare gas, is sealed in the glass bulb 12 at 70 Torr. In addition, there is a portion having a width of about 4 mm where the phosphor layer 13 is not formed over the entire length of the glass bulb 12, and serves as a light output portion 14 for irradiating light generated in the lamp to the outside of the lamp. A pair of external electrodes 15a and 15b having a width of about 12 mm are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the glass bulb 12 other than the light output section 14 over the entire length of the lamp. Are provided at intervals. An insulating material 18 is provided between the electrodes having a width of about 2 mm to prevent dielectric breakdown between the electrodes on the outer peripheral surface of the lamp. The external electrodes 15a and 15b are connected to a power supply 17 by lead wires 16a and 16b.

The operation of the thus constructed fluorescent lamp will be described. When a voltage is applied between the external electrodes 15a and 15b from the power supply 17, a voltage is supplied to xenon in the lamp via glass, which is a dielectric, to generate a discharge. At that time, the generated ultraviolet light excites the phosphor layer 13 and is converted into visible light determined by the phosphor. The visible light generated from the phosphor is emitted from the light output unit 14.

Hereinafter, the principle of light emission will be described in detail. Because discharge is performed through glass that is a dielectric,
It does not evolve from a glow discharge whose current is limited by a dielectric to an arc discharge. Further, the discharge is not concentrated at a specific place, and the discharge is generated from the entire inner surface of the glass bulb facing the external electrode. If the thickness of the glass is constant and the characteristics as a dielectric are uniform, the current density on the inner surface of the glass bulb facing the external electrode will be uniform, and the density of generated ultraviolet light will be almost uniform. The generation of visible light also becomes almost uniform. For this reason, the luminance distribution on the lamp surface becomes substantially uniform. Further, the current flows only immediately after the polarity of the applied voltage is reversed, and in other cases, the current stops due to accumulation of electric charges on the inner surface of the glass bulb. For this reason, a pulsed current flows through the lamp. When the internal discharge state was observed in detail, the entire inner surface of the lamp facing the external electrode was covered with substantially uniform light, and a thin thread-like discharge connecting the electrode facing the external electrode was maintained at a substantially constant interval. Many are seen to have occurred in stripes. When a rare gas is sealed inside, such a discharge first excites rare gas atoms to a resonance level by collision with electrons. Due to the high pressure of the rare gas, the excited atoms at this resonance level collide with other rare gas atoms at the ground level to generate excimer (e) of a diatomic molecule.
xcimer). The excimer emits ultraviolet light and returns to two ground level rare gas atoms. Most of the ultraviolet light emitted by the excimer does not undergo self-absorption unlike the resonance ultraviolet light of atoms, and most of the ultraviolet light reaches the inner wall of the lamp and is converted into visible light by the phosphor. That is, in the case of light emission by excimer, brighter light is obtained. Note that when the pressure of xenon as a rare gas is low, 147 nm radiation from the above-described resonance level of the atom is mainly used.

In a flat lamp as shown in FIG. 12, electrodes 15a and 15b are provided inside the container, and a dielectric layer is provided on the electrodes 15a and 15b by vapor deposition or the like. Forming is being done. The light output unit 14 is made of glass as in the related art, but the material of the container body 19 is not limited to glass, and in the case of FIG. 12, it is made of ceramic. In this case, since the dielectric layer is not subjected to stress due to the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the fluorescent lamp, it can be made thin. However, since the container body 19 receives the pressure due to the atmospheric pressure, it is necessary to secure the strength.

[0013]

FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG.
The conventional rare gas discharge lamp shown in (1) has a configuration in which a voltage is supplied through glass bulbs 1 and 12 which are dielectric materials to generate a discharge. Therefore, the energy supplied to the electrodes causes the glass to generate heat and is consumed by the glass. For this reason, there is a problem that the luminous efficiency does not increase and a high-luminance fluorescent lamp cannot be obtained.

Also, in the case of the structure shown in FIG. 12, since the dielectric layer 50 is provided between the electrodes, energy is consumed by the dielectric layer 50 and the luminous efficiency is poor as in the case of the above-mentioned glass. Therefore, there is a problem that a high-luminance fluorescent lamp cannot be obtained.

When an external electrode is used, a thin protective film 5 made of silicon or an insulating material 18 must be provided in order to prevent creeping discharge between the electrodes on the outer peripheral surface of the lamp and dielectric breakdown between the electrodes. was there. Therefore, there has been a problem that the structure of the lamp becomes complicated and the manufacturing process becomes complicated.

Further, since the external electrodes are used, it is necessary to insulate the entire lamp, and there is a problem that safety must be considered.

Further, when the gas pressure of the rare gas sealed in the inside of the glass tube is increased, the luminance is increased, but the discharge becomes unstable and the flicker occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a rare gas discharge lamp having high luminous efficiency and high luminance, a method of manufacturing the same, and an apparatus using the lamp. The purpose is to:

[0019]

A rare gas discharge lamp according to the present invention includes a lamp tube filled with a rare gas, a phosphor layer provided on an inner surface of the lamp tube, an inner surface of the lamp tube, and a phosphor layer. And a pair of band-shaped internal electrodes provided adjacent to each other with a gap therebetween.

The pair of band-shaped internal electrodes are provided in a band with a gap having a gap length of 0.2 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, and the rare gas is 200 Torr.
It is characterized by having xenon gas sealed at a pressure of r to 400 Torr.

The above-mentioned phosphor layer is characterized by being filled in a gap between a pair of band-like internal electrodes.

The rare gas discharge lamp has an aperture for emitting light in a direction facing the gap.

The ratio of the gap length L to the inner diameter R of the lamp tube may be 0.025 ≦ L / R ≦ 1.25.

A stem is fused to one end of the lamp tube of the rare gas discharge lamp, and a pair of lead wires are fixed to the stem. A conductive spring is provided on the lead wire, and the lead wire is provided on the surface of the strip-shaped internal electrode. It is characterized in that it is brought into contact and electrically connected.

The method for manufacturing a rare gas discharge lamp according to the present invention includes an electrode layer forming step of forming a planar internal electrode layer in a predetermined region on the inner surface of the lamp tube, and a step of forming the lamp tube on the planar internal electrode layer by laser. Forming a gap along the tube axis direction, forming a pair of strip-shaped internal electrodes adjacent to each other with the gap therebetween, and forming a pair of strip-shaped internal electrodes, and then forming a phosphor layer on the inner surface of the lamp tube. Forming a phosphor layer.

The method for manufacturing a rare gas discharge lamp further includes an aperture forming step of forming an aperture for emitting light by removing a part of the phosphor layer.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that it is an apparatus using the rare gas discharge lamp.

[0028]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rare gas discharge lamp 51 showing an example of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of FIG.
It is B sectional drawing. FIG. 4 is a perspective view in which a part of the rare gas discharge lamp 51 is cut away. The rare gas discharge lamp 51 of this embodiment has a cylindrical lamp tube 53. The material of the lamp tube 53 is glass. For example, soft glass such as soda glass or hard glass such as borosilicate glass is used. Further, quartz glass may be used. However, glass containing lead is not preferred. This is because lead-containing glass may release lead, may cause a short circuit of the electrode, and may cause the excited atoms to disappear. As shown in FIG. 2, the outer diameter of the lamp tube is D, and the inner diameter of the lamp tube is R. The tube diameter D of the lamp tube 53 is 2 mm to 10 mm. The lamp tube 53 having a tube diameter D of 2 mm or less may be used. The lamp tube 53 is provided with a pair of band-shaped internal electrodes 54 and a band-shaped internal electrode 55 inside. The band-shaped internal electrodes 54 and 55 are provided so as to be adjacent to each other with a gap 58 therebetween. The gap 58 is provided linearly between the band-shaped internal electrodes 54 and 55 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the gap length L of the gap 58 is 0.2 m
m to 2.0 mm. The lower limit of the gap length L is a width that does not short-circuit the band-shaped internal electrodes 54 and 55.

The length of the gap length L of the gap 58 is set to 0.
The reason why the thickness can be set to 2 mm to 2.0 mm is that the electrodes are internal electrodes. That is, since the electrodes are placed in a vacuum, the distance between the two electrodes can be reduced. As in the case of a conventional fluorescent lamp, two
When two electrodes are arranged adjacent to each other, a creeping discharge outside the glass tube is likely to occur, and it is difficult to arrange the two electrodes within 2.0 mm or less. In the fluorescent lamp of this embodiment, two internal electrodes are brought close to each other to easily cause a creeping discharge on the inner surface of the lamp tube 53, and the creeping discharge on the inner surface of the lamp tube 53 is positively used.
Therefore, no dielectric or insulating material is required between the two internal electrodes as in the related art, and it is better not to have any dielectric or insulating material. The material of the band-shaped internal electrodes 54 and 55 is preferably aluminum. Gold, silver, nickel, platinum, and tungsten may be used in addition to aluminum.
Also, other depositable metals can be used. As shown in FIG. 2, the band-shaped internal electrodes 54 and 55 have an electrode arrangement angle θ1 of about 180 degrees. The electrode arrangement angle θ1 does not need to be 180 degrees and can be changed within an arbitrary range. As shown in FIG. 3, the electrode thickness I of the band-shaped internal electrodes 54 and 55 is 5 μm.
m to 20 μm. When the electrode thickness I is reduced,
The resistance value increases, and as the electrode thickness I increases, the resistance value decreases. By setting the thickness of the electrodes to 5 μm or more and 20 μm or less, the band-shaped internal electrodes 54 and 55 are formed.
Can be made to have a resistance value of 10Ω or less. Preferably, the resistance value of the electrode is 2Ω or less.

A phosphor layer 56 formed by applying a phosphor is provided inside the band-like internal electrodes 54 and 55 and inside the lamp tube 53.

For example, a three-wavelength blue phosphor of europium-activated barium magnesium aluminate having an average particle size of about 2.9 μm as a phosphor, and a cerium / terbium-activated lanthanum phosphate activated material having an average particle size of about 4.8 μm And a red phosphor of europium-activated yttrium gadolinium borate having an average particle size of about 2.9 μm. As the phosphor, it is more desirable to use a television phosphor for the reasons described below.

The lamp tube 53 is provided with an aperture 57 on which the phosphor layer 56 is not formed. The opening angle θ2 of the aperture 57 is 30 degrees to 100 degrees. Desirably, the angle is 60 degrees to 70 degrees. Note that the electrode arrangement angle θ1 may be the same as the opening angle θ2. Belt-shaped internal electrode 5
The electrode arrangement angle θ1 must be equal to or larger than the opening angle θ2 so that the phosphor layer 4 and the band-shaped internal electrode 55 are covered with the phosphor layer 56. By reducing the opening angle θ2, the intensity of light emitted from the aperture 57 is increased. Also, by reducing the electrode arrangement angle θ1, the area of the band-shaped internal electrodes 54 and 55 increases, and the area for discharging increases. The band-shaped internal electrode 54 and the band-shaped internal electrode 55 are made of metal such as aluminum, and also function as a reflection film. Therefore, by reducing the electrode arrangement angle θ1, the intensity of light emitted from the aperture 57 is further reduced. Can be stronger.

A rare gas is sealed in the lamp tube 53. For example, xenon gas is sealed at a gas pressure P of 200 Torr or more and 400 Torr or less. In a conventional rare gas discharge lamp, when a rare gas having a gas pressure of 200 Torr or more is sealed, the brightness increases, but the discharge becomes unstable and flicker occurs. However, in this embodiment, 200T
Discharge does not become unstable even at a gas pressure of orr or higher. This is because the electrodes are internal electrodes and the electrodes are arranged adjacent to each other with a gap therebetween. Generally, in a fluorescent lamp, Paschen's law states that as the electrode spacing and the gas filling pressure increase, the discharge starting voltage increases.
Is considered to hold. It is considered that the rare gas discharge lamp of this embodiment also follows Paschen's law, and the band-shaped internal electrode 54 and the band-shaped internal electrode 55 are kept as close as possible. it can. That is, under the condition that the discharge starting voltage is constant, the sealing pressure of the rare gas can be increased by reducing the distance between the electrodes. In other words, even when the same discharge starting voltage is supplied from the same lighting circuit as in the related art, if the electrode spacing is reduced, the pressure for filling the rare gas can be increased. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the gas pressure P of xenon is set to 200
rr or more. As described above, since the gas pressure P can be made higher than 200 Torr, the luminance can be improved. Further, when the gas pressure P increases, the discharge becomes unstable and flickers easily occur. However, since the electrodes are arranged adjacent to each other with a gap therebetween, the discharge becomes easy. P
The difficulty of the discharge due to the rise of the pressure is offset by the ease of the discharge due to the approach of the two electrodes. In this embodiment, since the internal electrodes are used instead of the external electrodes, the lamp tube 53, which is a dielectric, does not lose energy for discharge. In a conventional lamp using an external electrode, energy is consumed by heat generated by the glass and the luminous efficiency is reduced. On the other hand, in the present invention, the energy between the band-shaped internal electrode 55 and the band-shaped internal electrode 54 is reduced. Is supplied directly to the phosphor layer 56, so that energy for discharging is not lost. In particular, when the band-shaped internal electrode 54 and the band-shaped internal electrode 55 are arranged adjacent to each other with the gap 58 therebetween, the discharge energy is strongly generated near the gap 58.
As shown by an arrow E in FIG. 2, the density of electrons generated between the band-shaped internal electrodes 54 and
The density is higher in the vicinity, and the density decreases as the distance from the gap 58 increases. Therefore, the light emission near the gap 58 becomes the strongest. For this reason, the aperture 57
8 is desirably provided on the opposite side. 2 and 4
As shown in FIG. 7, the phosphor layer 56 is also filled in the gap 58. The phosphor layer 5 filled in the gap 58
6 and the phosphor layer 56 in the vicinity thereof have the strongest light emission, and it is possible to emit strong light from the aperture 57 provided on the opposite side. The light emission principle of the rare gas discharge lamp 51 of this embodiment is an excimer discharge by excimer formation, similarly to the conventional light emission principle. Also,
Light emission of the rare gas discharge lamp 51 of this embodiment is also performed by electrons directly colliding with the phosphor. FIG.
As shown by the arrow E, the electrons fly between the band-shaped internal electrodes 54 and 55. These electrons have the same effect as an electron beam emitted from an electron gun of a television. The phosphor in the phosphor layer 56 can emit light by colliding with the phosphor layer 56. Since the phosphor emits light due to the collision of the electrons, it is desirable to use a phosphor for television as the phosphor layer 56. By using the phosphor for television, the luminance can be further improved.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, in order to optimize discharge, 1.6 mm ≦ lamp tube inner diameter R ≦ 8.
0 mm, 0.2 mm ≦ gap length L ≦ 2.0 mm, and the ratio of the gap length L between the band-shaped internal electrodes 54 and 55 to the inner diameter R of the lamp tube of the rare gas discharge lamp is 0.025 ≦
L / R ≦ 1.25 (that is, L / R ≧ 0.2 mm / 8.0)
mm = 0.025, L / R ≦ 2.0 mm / 1.6 mm =
1.25). The discharge of the lamp of this embodiment is:
There is a feature that fine thread-like discharges are continuously generated between the band-shaped internal electrodes 54 and 55 and become strong near the gap. The inventors conducted various experiments and found that, depending on the conditions, it was possible to extend the discharge to the center of the tube while emitting light strongly near the gap. That is, by setting the gap length L within the above range with respect to the lamp tube inner diameter R, the discharge near the gap becomes a pilot flame, and the discharge grows. The spread of the discharge increases the UV radiation and increases the brightness of the lamp. When the value of L / R is 0.025 or less, the discharge is only at the end of the gap and the luminance is low. When the value of L / R exceeds 1.25, the discharge flickers and becomes unstable.

As shown in FIG. 3, a stem 61 is fused to one end of the lamp tube 53. An introduction wire 64 and an introduction wire 65 are fixed to the stem 61. A conductive spring material 66 is fixed to the lead wire 64.
Are electrically connected to the band-shaped internal electrodes 54 inside the lamp tube 53. The conductive spring material 66 is always urged so as to be in contact with the band-shaped internal electrode 54 as shown by an arrow H in FIG. The shape of the conductive spring material 66 is bent in a dogleg shape, and comes into contact with the band-shaped internal electrode 54 with a smooth curve so as not to damage the surface of the band-shaped internal electrode 54. On the other hand, a conductive spring material 67 similar to the conductive spring material 66 is also fixed to the introduction wire 65.
Further, a getter 68 is provided on the introduction line 65. The getter 68 is provided to improve the degree of vacuum of the lamp tube 53. Alternatively, it is provided to remove impurities generated inside the lamp tube 53. The shape of the getter 68 may be a ring shape,
Other shapes may be used. Note that the lead wire 64 and the conductive spring material 66 may be integrally formed. Further, as the conductive spring material 66, a coil spring, a plate spring, or an elastic body having another shape may be used. Further, the conductive spring material 67 and the getter 68 may also be used without providing the getter 68 in particular. Alternatively, the getter 68 and the introduction line 65 may be used together. The introduction line 64 is, as shown in FIG.
The lighting circuit 81 is connected via the switch 59.
The lead-in line 65 is also connected to the lighting circuit 81.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing pulse waves 83 output from the lighting circuit 81. FIG. (A) uses the pulse wave 83 only on the positive side, while (b) uses the pulse wave 83 on both the positive and negative sides. The voltage of the pulse wave 83 of (b) is smaller than that of the pulse wave 83 of (a),
The pulse wave 83 of (b) can be generated using inexpensive components. The frequency of the pulse wave 83 is 50 kHz or more.
100 KHz. The pulse width W and the pause width T are 3: 1
This is the above ratio. By reducing the rest width T of the pulse wave 83, better luminous efficiency can be obtained. The light emitted by xenon mainly emits ultraviolet light emitted by excimer having a wavelength of about 170 nm, but the resonant ultraviolet light of xenon having a wavelength of about 140 nm also contributes to light emission. This resonance ultraviolet light easily causes self-absorption and hardly contributes to light emission,
By making the rest width T of the pulse wave 83 equal to or less than ３ of the pulse width W, that is, by reducing the rest period, self-absorption of resonance ultraviolet rays can be prevented, and light emission by the resonance ultraviolet rays increases. Can be done. The signal output from the lighting circuit 81 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the signal may be a sine wave 82.
It is desirable to use a frequency of the sine wave 82 of 20 kHz to 100 kHz.

The rare gas discharge lamp 51 of this embodiment
Since the internal electrodes are used, a high voltage does not leak outside the lamp tube 53. Therefore, the occurrence of noise due to electromagnetic waves is also small. Then, the electromagnetic wave generated from the internal electrode is shielded by glass, which is a dielectric outside the internal electrode. Further, since the internal electrodes are used, there is no need to perform insulation treatment outside the lamp tube 53, and
There is no need to provide an insulating material between the electrodes. Further, since the internal electrodes are used, the safety in handling the rare gas discharge lamp 51 is improved, and the workability is improved. Also,
Since the internal electrodes are used, there is no glass, which is a dielectric, in the discharge space, so that discharge becomes easy.

As the rare gas, other rare gases such as krypton, argon, neon and helium may be used in addition to xenon. Further, a mixture of two or more rare gases may be used. Alternatively, another discharge medium may be enclosed.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing the rare gas discharge lamp 51 of this embodiment. First,
In S41, a half of the inner surface of the lamp tube 53 is masked with the masking material 73. As the masking material 73, sand, tape, or solder having a small particle size can be used.
Next, in S42, an aluminum electrode layer 74 is formed on the entire inner surface of the lamp tube 53 by vapor deposition. Next, in S43, along with the masking material 73, the aluminum electrode layer 74 that is half of the inner surface of the lamp tube 53 is removed. In this state, an aluminum electrode layer 74 is formed as a planar internal electrode layer on the other half of the inner surface of the lamp tube 53. Next, in S44, the laser 75 from the laser processing device is used.
As a result, a gap 58 is formed at the center of the aluminum electrode layer 74. The gap 58 is formed straight along the tube axis direction of the lamp tube 53. This linear gap 58
Is located at the focal point F of the laser 75. Laser 75
Passes through the lamp tube 53, removes the aluminum electrode layer 74 at the focal point F, and forms a gap 58. With the formation of the gap 58, the band-shaped internal electrode 54 and the band-shaped internal electrode 55 are formed with the gap 58 interposed therebetween. A feature of the method for manufacturing the rare gas discharge lamp 51 of this embodiment is that a gap 58 is formed by using a laser 75.
In order to keep the luminance constant at any position in the tube axis direction, the gap length L must be constant at any position in the tube axis direction. Gap 5
8 has a gap length L of 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm.
For example, a gap 5 having a gap length L of 0.2 mm
8 is formed accurately and with the gap length L
In order to provide the gap 58 on a straight line while keeping
Preferably, a laser 75 is used. Moreover, the laser 7
5 can be irradiated from the outside of the lamp tube 53, and the gap 58 can be provided only by processing the laser beam 75 with the focal point F of the laser 75 aligned with the position of the gap 58. Therefore, the operation is very simple. Further, the linear gap 58 can be accurately formed only by moving the laser 75 or the lamp tube 53 on a straight line. Next, S45
, A phosphor is applied and dried to form a phosphor layer 56. Next, in S46, the portion of the phosphor layer 56 that becomes the aperture 57 is removed. Subsequent manufacturing steps are the same as those of a normal lamp, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The gap 58 can be formed by using the masking material 73 without using the laser 75.

The features of this embodiment are listed. (1) Internal electrodes are used instead of external electrodes. (2) A pair of internal electrodes are arranged as close as possible via a gap. (3) The gap is also filled with the phosphor layer. (4) A gap is formed using a laser. (5) When the gas pressure of xenon is 200 Torr or more, 4
00 Torr or less. (6) A television phosphor is used as the phosphor. (7) Lighting is performed using a pulse wave having a short rest period. (8) The gap length of the gap is 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm
It is.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. The feature shown in FIG. 7 is that a plurality of pairs of electrodes 54a and 55a, 54b and 55b, 54c and 55c
It is a point that was made. In this manner, by forming a plurality of pairs of electrodes, a plurality of gaps 58a, 58b, 58c, 58
d, 58e can be provided. In the rare gas discharge lamp 51 of this embodiment, light emission in the vicinity of the gap is the strongest. Therefore, by increasing the number of gaps, it is possible to increase the number of places where strong light is emitted. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the luminous efficiency is improved by providing many gaps.

FIG. 8 shows a case where the gap 58 is not a straight line but a wavy shape, a zigzag shape or a U-shape. The shape of the end of the electrode is wavy, zigzag, U-shaped, or comb-like, and the unevenness of the end of the electrode faces each other via a gap. As described above, strong light emission can be exhibited in the vicinity of the gap. Therefore, in order to make the length of the gap 58 as long as possible, it is desirable to use a gap as shown in FIG. And even in the case of such a gap, it is desirable that the gap length L is constant.

Since the gap forming method shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is performed by using the laser 75 as shown in FIG. 6, even the gap 58 having a complicated shape can be easily and accurately formed. Can be formed. Note that a gap formation pattern not shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8 may be used.

Embodiment 3 The following can be considered as an apparatus using the rare gas discharge lamp 51 of the first or second embodiment. (1) Facsimile machine (2) Copy machine (3) Image reader (4) Scanner (5) Bar code reader (6) Image display device (7) Character display device (8) Liquid crystal display backlight

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the rare gas discharge lamp 51 uses internal electrodes, it is excellent in safety and does not require insulation treatment, so that the apparatus can be downsized.

Further, according to the present invention, since the gap length L of the gap can be accurately formed, uniform light can be emitted from any place of the lamp.

Further, according to the present invention, since the gap length L of the gap can be reduced, light with higher luminance can be emitted.

Further, according to the present invention, since the rare gas sealing pressure can be increased, light with higher luminance can be emitted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rare gas discharge lamp 51 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional perspective view of a rare gas discharge lamp 51 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a signal waveform diagram of the lighting circuit 81 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method of manufacturing the rare gas discharge lamp 51 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a conventional discharge lamp using external electrodes.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a conventional discharge lamp using external electrodes.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a conventional discharge lamp using external electrodes.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a conventional discharge lamp having electrodes covered with a dielectric layer 50.

[Explanation of symbols]

51 rare gas discharge lamp, 53 lamp tube, 54, 55
Band-shaped internal electrode, 56 phosphor layer, 57 aperture, 5
8 gap, 59 switch, 61 stem, 64,
65 lead wire, 66, 67 conductive spring material, 68 getter, 69 xenon, 73 masking material, 74 aluminum electrode layer, 75 laser, 81 lighting circuit, 82 sine wave, 83 pulse wave, D tube diameter, F focal point, I electrode Thickness, L gap length, P gas pressure, T pause width, W pulse width, θ1 electrode arrangement angle, θ2 opening angle.

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission Date] January 14, 2000 (2000.1.1)
4)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claim 7

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Shigeo Suzuki 2-17-8 Chuo, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Elevum Co., Ltd. 5C015 HH01 5C043 AA02 BB03 BB09 CC16 CD01 CD13 DD17 EA01 EC20

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A lamp tube filled with a rare gas, a phosphor layer provided on an inner surface of the lamp tube, and provided between the inner surface of the lamp tube and the phosphor layer, and are adjacent to each other with a gap therebetween. Gas discharge lamp, comprising a pair of band-shaped internal electrodes provided as described above. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pair of band-shaped inner electrodes is 0.2 mm
The rare gas is provided in a band shape with a gap having a gap length of not less than 2.0 mm and not more than 200 mm.
The rare gas discharge lamp according to claim 1, further comprising a xenon gas sealed at a pressure of rr to 400 Torr. 3. The rare gas discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein the phosphor layer is filled in a gap between the pair of strip-shaped internal electrodes. 4. The rare gas discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein the rare gas discharge lamp includes an aperture that emits light in a direction facing the gap. 5. The rare gas discharge lamp according to claim 2, wherein the ratio of the gap length L to the inner diameter R of the lamp tube satisfies 0.025 ≦ L / R ≦ 1.25. 6. A rare gas discharge lamp, wherein a stem is fused to one end of a lamp tube, a pair of lead wires are fixed to the stem, and a conductive spring is provided on the lead wire, and the strip-shaped internal electrode is provided. 3. The rare gas discharge lamp according to claim 2, wherein the rare gas discharge lamp is electrically connected to a surface. 7. An electrode layer forming step of forming a planar internal electrode layer in a predetermined region on an inner surface of a lamp tube, and forming a gap in the planar internal electrode layer by a laser along a tube axis direction of the lamp tube; A band-shaped internal electrode forming step of forming a pair of band-shaped internal electrodes adjacent to each other with a gap therebetween, and a phosphor layer forming step of forming a phosphor layer on the inner surface of the lamp tube after forming the pair of band-shaped internal electrodes. A method for manufacturing a rare gas discharge lamp, comprising: 8. The method of manufacturing a rare gas discharge lamp according to claim 6, further comprising an aperture forming step of forming an aperture for emitting light by removing a part of the phosphor layer. Method for manufacturing a rare gas discharge lamp. 9. An apparatus using the rare gas discharge lamp according to claim 1.