Construction and Performance of an ELF Display System

An experimental display system featuring a solid-state display screen has been constructed and evaluated. The system includes a 256-cell-per-square-inch electroluminescent panel, row and column drivers for the panel distribution matrix, and character generation equipment to form target images on the display in accordance with a computer-word input. The brightness pattern on the 4-by-8-inch electroluminescent panel is controlled and stored by a ferroelectric microarray. A matrix of gaseous discharge elements called ionic switches distributes the control signals to the ferroelectric structure. Both conventional and novel techniques were used to fabricate the panel. Less than 2 per cent of the 8192 cells of the completed panel are faulty. Highlight brightness is 2.8 foot-lamberts and contrast is 25:1; both figures are below design objectives due to limits set on panel excitation for this model. Image storage time is more than adequate for the 5 seconds frame time of the system, and the electronic scanning matrix performs as required. The general appearance of target images on the panel is satisfactory although uniformity can be improved by better mechanical design and fabrication process control.