Fluorescent lamp, method of manufacturing the same, and backlight unit having the same

A method of manufacturing a fluorescent lamp, the method comprising:

• forming an emissive glass tube having a first thickness, a first diameter, and both opened ends;
• forming first and second non-emissive glass tubes each having a second thickness, a second diameter larger than the first diameter, and one opened end;
• joining the emissive glass tube to the first and second non-emissive glass tubes;
• and
• forming first and second electrodes on outer surfaces of the first and second non-emissive glass tubes.

A backlight unit comprising:

• a fluorescent lamp disposed at a side surface thereof, the fluorescent lamp including an emissive glass tube and first and second non-emissive glass tubes joined to the emissive glass tube;
• a light guide plate disposed in the same plane as the fluorescent lamp to guide light from the fluorescent lamp in a forward direction;
• and
• a reflection plate below the light guide plate to reflect the light in the forward direction.