Analysis on discharge modes in AC plasma display panel with sustain gap of 200 [micro]m

The [V.sub.t] close-curve measurement shows that there exists a surface (X-Y) discharge contour in spite of a large sustain gap of 200/[micro]m greater than a barrier rib height of 125 [micro]m. This indicates that there are two different discharge modes, i.e., one mode is to produce the surface discharge, and the other is to produce the surface discharge including the plate gap discharge. The two discharge modes are examined and analyzed based on the [V.sub.t] close-curve movement on the cell voltage plane. The two discharge modes show the different discharge characteristics such as the sustain voltage level, [V.sub.t] close-curve behavior, luminance, and luminous efficiency. In addition, the spatial wall charge, electron density behaviors, and their current flows as a function of time are investigated in detail using the numerical analysis. Index Terms--Alternating current plasma display panel (ac-PDP), different discharge modes, large sustain gap, [V.sub.t] close curve.