14-in Diagonal Size Nanotip-Enhanced Plasma Lamp in Liquid Crystal Display

The characteristics of nanotip-enhanced plasma lamps (NTL) as a backlight for liquid crystal displays have been investigated on a 14-in panel. Using a direct-current pulse bipolar waveform driving, the NTL operates with lower ignition and sustain voltages below 300 V compared with conventional plasma lamps due to the tiny discharge gap between the indium tin oxide electrode and nanotip electrodes. Luminous efficiencies of 16 lm/W at the lowest ignition voltage of 150 V have been realized for NTL, which correspond to 3780 of luminance in 260 V with 50 torr of pure xenon gas.