AN2503

PDP basic

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2

PDP basic

Basic knowledge on Plasma Display Panel encompasses manufacturing issues in cell

structure, physics principle in the memory effect, and display algorithms needed to create a

range of colors.

2.1

PDP cell structure

Figure 2 shows the structure of a plasma display glass panel, [2.].

Figure 2.

Cell structure

An AC PDP display is composed of front and rear glass substrates sandwiched together and

then sealed. The air is vacuumed out and a mixture of inert gases (Ne and Xe) is injected

between the glass substrates. The separation between the two opposing substrates is about

100um and the space between them is filled with a gas mixture of Ne and Xe. The front

glass substrate has a first electrode (X electrode) and a second electrode (Y electrode)

which operate as sustain electrodes. The X and Y electrodes are coated with bus

electrodes, dielectric layer, and MgO layer in sequence. The MgO protects the dielectric

from plasma damage and also aids the plasma in sustaining a discharge through secondary

electron emission from its surface. In addition, equivalent capacitor exists between the X

and Y electrodes. On the surface of the rear glass substrate, as opposed to the front glass

substrate, a third electrode operating as an address electrode (A electrode) is formed to be

orthogonal to the X and Y electrodes. Electrically, the entire assembly can now be

considered as a three-electrode capacitor. A cross point is formed where the X, Y and A

electrodes meet. Three adjacent red, blue and green cross points form a color picture

element (pixel) of the panel. In operation, an AC voltage sufficiently high will ionize the gas

to create the plasma. Then, the ultraviolet light from the plasma excites the phosphor to

create the color image.

Each pixel can be independently controlled and can assume different color gradations. The

number of pixels available determines the resolution of the glass panel vertically and

horizontally.