Surface aging mechanisms of A.C. plasma display panels

Excellent life performance is being achieved for A.C. plasma display panels through understanding of the causes of voltage changes, surface overcoat material research and adjustment of the manufacturing process to eliminate contaminants. It has been found that surface aging phenomena rather than gas changes, are dominant in many praticai cases. Because of preferential operation patterns (i.e. alpha-numerics) a differential aging pattern may evolve. The differential pattern is the result of voltage changes which are different for heavily operated and lightly or non-operated cells. It is shown that the nature and extent of surface changes are dependent on overcoat material selection and the presence (or non-presence) of contaminants introduced during manufacture.