PLASMA TECHNOLOGY

By: Minh Nguyen

INTRODUCTION
For the past many years, the majority of televisions have been built using the Cathode Ray Tube. Recently, a new alternative, the Plasma Display Panel (PDP) have developed. The secret to PDP technology lie between the two thin panels of mounted glass. Lets open these secrets.

HISTORY
1966 Invented by Donald Bitzer and Gene Slottow, University of Illinois 1980s Early marketed products limited to monochrome 1993 Fujitsu marketed first high color plasma display

PLASMA DISPLAY PANEL

Basic idea:
Illuminates tiny coloured fluorescent lights to create an image. Allows images much larger than CRTs and most LCDs to be constructed Three fluorescent lights: red, green, blue form a full range of colour Each pixel is lit individually images are very bright and viewable at large angles

WHAT HAPPENS?
Address electrode causes gas change to plasma state. Gas in plasma state reacts with phosphors in discharge region Reaction causes each sub-pixel to produce red, green, and blue light.

COMPONENTS
Dielectric Layer

Display Electrode
Magnesium Oxide Layer

Rib

Pixel Phosphors Address Electrode Address Protective Electrode

FUNCTIONS
Phosphors are vulnerable to damage from a positive charge. The discharge is control by 2 display electrodes to avoid changes implying directly on the phosphors. Display electrode: one scans the frame data, the other is controlled by display driver to apply high voltage to display the image date. Address electrode write the column display data into the display cells.

IMAGE DISPLAY
Voltage creates electric current Xe & Ne atoms release ultraviolet photons Photons interact with phosphor atoms Phosphors electrons jump energy levels As electrons drop, visible light photons are released Varied pulses of current create various colors of spectrum

ADVANTAGES
IMPACT Plasma displays have more stopping power. Easily seen and noticed. IMAGE Spectacular image quality. FLEXIBILITY Easily changed and updated

RESULTS More appealing to watch. Very compelling, sexy and dynamic.

APPLICATIONS
Home theater Network control room

Meeting room
Executive offices Touch screen Corporate lobbies Video conferencing

REFERENCES
http://www.electronic.howstuffworks.com http://www.mechatronics.ece.usu.edu http://www.presentationmaster.com http://www.agilent.com http://www.plasma.org