Energy loss mechanisms in the microdischarges in plasma display panels

Low luminous efficacy is one of the major drawbacks of plasma display panel s (PDPs), where the main limiting factor is the efficiency of the microdisc harges in generating UV radiation. In this work we use a two-dimensional se lf-consistent fluid model to analyze the energy loss mechanisms in neon-xen on discharges in coplanar-electrode color PDPs and interpret experimental d ata on the luminous efficacy of these PDPs. The modeling results are in goo d agreement with the measured UV emission spectrum and measured trends in t he efficacy. Most of the electrical input energy is transferred to ions and subsequently to the gas and the surface. The electrical energy transferred to electrons is mostly used for ionization and excitation, where the part used for xenon excitation largely ends up in UV radiation. The amplitude, f requency, and rise time of the driving voltage mainly affect the energy los ses due to ion heating. The xenon content also affects the conversion of el ectron energy into UV energy. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.