We discuss physical phenomena which take place in an AC Plasma Display
Panel (PDP) cell for matrix and coplanar electrode geometries. The ef
fect of the gas mixture and the electrode geometry on the breakdown vo
ltage is first analyzed using a fluid discharge model. We then compare
solutions from simple fluid models and more accurate hybrid models fo
r a 1D cell, and discuss the sensitivity of the models to the uncertai
nties on the charged particle transport coefficients. Finally we prese
nt typical results showing the space and time evolution of a discharge
in AC matrix and coplanar cells.