Progress in performance ofmicroplasma lighting tiles

Microplasma lamps with high luminance and a thin, flat form factor have been developed and fabricated in sizes up to 1 sq. ft.(930 cm2). A wide variety of new lighting applications are now available due to lightweight construction and panel thicknesses of less than 5mm. Because microplasma lighting photometric performance is independent of temperature, the devices are instant on/off. The glass enclosure serves as the lamp structure, allowing minimal fixturing (when compared to conventional lighting systems) which is ideal for high space utilization. Advancements in low-cost, high-volume fabrication techniques, and improvements in lighting tile performance will be discussed.