October 25, 2000
Development of a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) for LCD backlights based on new electrode materials
In order to meet the need for greater brightness in large TVs and monitors, and for thinner frames in notebook PCs, Sanken Electric Co., Ltd. has developed a CCFL for backlights which employs niobium (Nb) for the first time as a replacement for conventional nickel in the electrode material. We have applied for niobium related patents, and we would like to report that production has been started at Fukushima Sanken.
By using niobium for the electrode material, backlight brightness is increased by 5~10% compared with current mainstream nickel electrode lamps by lowering the gas pressure in backlights for large TVs and monitors, and increasing the effective light emission area in backlights for notebook PCs. Lower power consumption and longer service life are also achieved by improving light emission efficiency.
In a CCFL for a notebook PC (tube diameter f=2.0 mm), sputter (generation of mercury compounds with electrode materials) is reduced, and the 20,000 hour minimum service life of the "nickel 6 mm electrode product" (which is one of our company's leading products) is guaranteed by the new niobium 4 mm electrode product, and the electrode length is 2/3 (reduced by 4mm (2mm each on both ends) that of the nickel electrode. This contributes to the frame width reduction users need, where fluorescent lamp is used in the entire cabinet.
Conversely, in CCFLs for large TVs and monitors (tube diameter f=2.6 mm), service life reduction due to lower gas pressure is prevented via sputter reduction using niobium, and the 50,000 hour minimum service life of our company's leading nickel 8 mm electrode product (standard gas pressure 8.0kPa) can be guaranteed with a low gas pressure of 5.3kPa, and the greater brightness due to reduced gas pressure is achieved with the same service life as before.
Mass production (monthly volume 100,000 pieces) of both new products started in September, but for notebook PCs, development of a tube diameter f=1.8 mm product will be completed shortly, and for TVs and monitors, development of a f=2.2 mm, Nb 6 mm electrode will also be completed before long. In March 2001, our plan calls for monthly production of 600,000 niobium electrode products--a volume corresponding to about 1/4 of our total CCFL production (monthly volume 2.2 million pieces).
By using niobium for the electrode material, backlight brightness is increased by 5~10% compared with current mainstream nickel electrode lamps by lowering the gas pressure in backlights for large TVs and monitors, and increasing the effective light emission area in backlights for notebook PCs. Lower power consumption and longer service life are also achieved by improving light emission efficiency.
In a CCFL for a notebook PC (tube diameter f=2.0 mm), sputter (generation of mercury compounds with electrode materials) is reduced, and the 20,000 hour minimum service life of the "nickel 6 mm electrode product" (which is one of our company's leading products) is guaranteed by the new niobium 4 mm electrode product, and the electrode length is 2/3 (reduced by 4mm (2mm each on both ends) that of the nickel electrode. This contributes to the frame width reduction users need, where fluorescent lamp is used in the entire cabinet.
Conversely, in CCFLs for large TVs and monitors (tube diameter f=2.6 mm), service life reduction due to lower gas pressure is prevented via sputter reduction using niobium, and the 50,000 hour minimum service life of our company's leading nickel 8 mm electrode product (standard gas pressure 8.0kPa) can be guaranteed with a low gas pressure of 5.3kPa, and the greater brightness due to reduced gas pressure is achieved with the same service life as before.
Mass production (monthly volume 100,000 pieces) of both new products started in September, but for notebook PCs, development of a tube diameter f=1.8 mm product will be completed shortly, and for TVs and monitors, development of a f=2.2 mm, Nb 6 mm electrode will also be completed before long. In March 2001, our plan calls for monthly production of 600,000 niobium electrode products--a volume corresponding to about 1/4 of our total CCFL production (monthly volume 2.2 million pieces).
