Device characterization of an electron-beam-switched thin-film ZnS:Mn electroluminescent faceplate

The concept of a storage CRT display using a thin-film electroluminescent (EL) faceplate is discussed. The storage is based on the hysteretic behavior of some thin-film EL devices made from ZnS:Mn. Results are presented of experiments in which the writing and erasing of such devices with electron beams were investigated in detail. Since realization of the concept involves large-area hysteretic thin-film devices having stable characteristics, the constraints and problems arising from these requirements and the current status of efforts to meet them are discussed.