A flat compact fluorescent lamp is disclosed. The lamp contains a fill of rcury and inert gas. It includes a top panel and bottom glass panel and a convoluted glass partition having a substantially planar upper surface disposed between the inner surfaces of the top and bottom panels. The partition forms a convoluted channel having an initial and a terminal end. One edge of the partition is integrally molded with the bottom panel and a peripheral portion is joined to the inner surface of the top panel. An inner portion of the partition can engage the inner surface of the top panel. The inner portion has a predetermined width at the point of its engagement and a predetermined spacing between the point and the top panel. A layer of frit of predetermined thickness is used to join the peripheral portion of the convoluted partition to the inner surface of the top panel. The frit layer forms a sealed envelope with the top and bottom panels, whereby to provide the predetermined spacing and form a convoluted channel within the envelope. A conventional phosphor coating is disposed on the inner surface of the envelope and at least two electrodes are disposed at the initial and terminal ends of the convolution whereby an arc can be formed in the lamp between the electrodes thereby to excite the phosphor to emit light.