Improvement of Discharge Characteristics of the Zn[sub 2]SiO[sub 4]:Mn[sup 2+] Phosphor Layer in Plasma Display Panels

To improve the discharge characteristics of phosphor layers in ac plasma display panels, the charging tendency of phosphor was modified by coating the phosphor surface and manipulating the phosphor paste with metal oxide, and their effects on the driving voltages and addressing time were investigated in terms of the driving conditions of plasma display panel (PDP) cell. It was found that the magnesium oxide, which has a positive charging tendency, was very effective and could dramatically improve the surface characteristics of the phosphor layer for stable discharge of the PDP cell. Consequently, the delay time of addressing current was reduced more than 30% and the minimum values of sustaining voltage as well as addressing voltage could be decreased by 12 V on average, while the luminous efficiency was kept constant and even improved in the case of MgO-coated phosphor. © 2004 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.