Patent ID: 7592750

Claim:
A fluorescent lamp having a first end, an opposing second end and a tube body between the first and second ends, the tube body having a diameter at the first and second ends, said lamp comprising: a first external electrode on the first end; and a second external electrode on the second end, wherein the first external electrode has a first section contacting the tube at the first end, and a second section extended from the first section away from the first end, and wherein the first section has an inner diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the tube at the first end, the second external electrode has a first section contacting the tube at the second end, and a second section extended from the first section away from the second end, and wherein the first section has an inner diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the tube at the second end, and the second section of the first external electrode has a first elongated cross section, wherein the first elongated cross section has a greater dimension and a smaller dimension, the first elongated cross section comprising two substantially straight segments defining the smaller dimension, and wherein the two substantially straight segments form an angle such that the first elongated cross section has a tapered shape.