Fluorescent lamp, fluorescent lamp unit, liquid crystal display device, and method of emitting light

A method of emitting light from a lamp (back light) in which a discharge gas is sealed, and first and second discharge electrodes are formed, said method comprising:

• causing electric discharge in first discharge areas between the first and second discharge electrodes by applying a voltage having a negative polarity to the first discharge electrodes and a voltage having a positive polarity to the second discharge electrodes, and converting ultraviolet rays caused by the electric discharge into visible light through a phosphor;
• causing electric discharge in second discharge areas which are different from the first discharge areas at least partially and which are between the first and second discharge electrodes by applying a voltage having a positive polarity to the first discharge electrodes and a voltage having a negative polarity to the second discharge electrodes, and converting ultraviolet rays caused by the electric discharge into visible light through the phosphor;
• and
• controlling said causing electric discharge in the first discharge areas and said causing electric discharge in the second discharge areas to be repeated.

A method of emitting light from a lamp (back light) in which a discharge gas is sealed, and first discharge electrodes, second discharge electrodes, and third discharge electrodes are formed, said method comprising:

• causing electric discharge in first discharge areas between the first and second discharge electrodes by applying a drive voltage of a positive potential to one of the first and second discharge electrodes and a drive voltage of a negative potential to the other of the first and second discharge electrodes, and converting ultraviolet rays caused by the electric discharge into visible light through a phosphor,
• causing electric discharge in second discharge areas which are different from the first discharge areas at least partially and which are between the first and third discharge electrodes by applying a drive voltage of a positive potential to one of the first and third discharge electrodes and a drive voltage of a negative potential to the other of tho first and third discharge electrodes, and converting ultraviolet rays caused by the electric discharge into visible light via the phosphor;
• and
• controlling said causing electric discharge in the first discharge areas and said causing electric discharge in the second discharge areas to be repeated.