Stamped metal flourescent lamp and method for making

A method of producing a planar fluorescent lamp comprising the steps of:

• providing a metallic body material;
• forming said body material into a formed body having a perimeter wall and a plurality of ridges therein, said ridges defining a channel having a first end and a second end;
• coating substantially all of the interior of said stamped body with an insulative material;
• placing a solder glass bead atop each of said ridges and atop the perimeter of the lamp body;
• bonding a transparent first cover to said stamped body by heating the solder, such that said stamped body and said first cover form a first enclosure;
• placing a material responsive to emit light energy in response to an electrical field within said first enclosure;
• bonding a second cover in a fixed position overlaying said first cover with a gap between said first cover and said second cover, such that said first cover and said second cover form at least two walls of a second enclosure;
• placing a fluorescent material within said second enclosure;
• fixedly attaching a pair of electrodes to said stamped body such that the electrodes extend into the first enclosure;
• sealing said first enclosure to form a hermetically sealed enclosure;
• and
• sealing the second enclosure.

A method of producing a planar fluorescent lamp comprising the steps of:

• providing a metallic body material;
• forming said metallic body material into a lamp body having a perimeter wall portion and a plurality of ridges defining a channel having a first end and a second end;
• coating said perimeter wall portions and said plurality of ridges with an insulative material;
• placing a solder glass bead atop said ridges and atop said perimeter;
• bonding a transparent cover to said lamp body by positioning said lamp cover over said lamp body and heating said solder glass bead to form a bond, thereby forming a first enclosure;
• placing a fluorescent material within the first enclosure;
• inserting within said first enclosure a material responsive to produce light energy in response to electrical stimulation;
• bonding a housing to said exterior of said lamp body to form a second enclosure;
• forming a plasma slot through said lamp body to form a passageway between said first enclosure and said second enclosure;
• and
• fixedly positioning an electrode with respect to said housing such that said electrode extends into said second enclosure.