Surface light source device and back light unit having the same

Abstract

A surface light source device includes a light source body having a plurality of discharge spaces into which a discharge gas is injected, an external electrode provided on the outer face of the light source body to apply a discharge voltage to the discharge gas so as to generate plasma in the light source body, and a porous internal electrode arranged in the light source body to provide secondary electrons to the plasma, thereby properly maintaining the plasma. The porous internal electrode includes a porous member, and a conductive layer formed on an outer face of the porous member. The secondary electrons are continuously emitted from the porous internal electrode so that an amount of the plasma is steadily maintained.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.