Kunhardt, Erich E. (807 Castle Point Terrace, Hoboken, NJ, 07030, US)
Song, Seok-kyun (567-B Shaler Boulevard, Ridgefield, NJ, 07657, US)
Shin, Bhum-jae (Unit 3K, 44-50 Sherman Avenue Jersey City, NJ, 07307, US)
Park, Sooho (128 Chestnut Street, Apt. 101 Rutherford, NJ, 07070, US)
THE TRUSTEES OF STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (Castle Point on Hudson, Hoboken, NJ, 07030, US)
Kim, Steven (228 Blanch Avenue, Harrington Park, NJ, 07640, US)
Kunhardt, Erich E. (807 Castle Point Terrace, Hoboken, NJ, 07030, US)
Song, Seok-kyun (567-B Shaler Boulevard, Ridgefield, NJ, 07657, US)
Shin, Bhum-jae (Unit 3K, 44-50 Sherman Avenue Jersey City, NJ, 07307, US)
Park, Sooho (128 Chestnut Street, Apt. 101 Rutherford, NJ, 07070, US)
| 1. | A plasma display panel device having first and second substrates, comprising: a first electrode on the first substrate; a second electrode on the second substrate ; a dielectric layer on the second electrode including the second substrate ; a plurality of third electrodes completely buried in the dielectric layer ; a pair of barrier ribs connecting the first and second substrates on the dielectric layer ; and a discharge chamber where discharge occurs between the first and second substrates, wherein the discharge chamber faces toward the second electrode through a plurality of rows, each of which includes one or more capillaries formed in the dielectric layer. |
| 2. | The plasma display panel device according to claim 1, wherein the capillaries have a diameter in the range of 10 to 50 ism. |
| 3. | The plasma display panel device according to claim 1, wherein the capillaries in each row per pixel is up to 3. |
| 4. | The plasma display panel device according to claim 1, further comprising a UV visible photon conversion layer on the first electrode including the first substrate. |
| 5. | The plasma display panel device according to claim 4, wherein the UV visible photon conversion layer includes a phosphor layer. |
| 6. | The plasma display panel device according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode includes indium tin oxide. |
| 7. | The plasma display panel device according to claim 1, wherein the device has a display size of 12"to 19" diagonal. |
| 8. | The plasma display panel device according to claim 1, wherein the device has a pixel size of 120 ism x 360 ism. |
| 9. | The plasma display panel device according to claim 1, wherein the device is a transmissive type. |
| 10. | The plasma display panel device according to claim 1, wherein the device is capable of being driven by both AC and DC voltages. |
| 11. | The plasma display panel device according to claim 1, wherein the device has an address voltage of less than 200 V. |
| 12. | A plasma display panel device having a display size of 12"to 19"diagonal, comprising: first and second substrates juxtaposed in facetoface relation, the first substrate being a viewing panel ; a first electrode on the first substrate ; a second electrode on the second substrate ; a dielectric layer on the second electrode including the second substrate ; a discharge chamber where discharge occurs between the first and second substrates, wherein the discharge chamber faces towards the second electrode through a plurality of rows, each of which includes one or more capillaries formed in the dielectric layer. |
| 13. | The plasma display panel device according to claim 12, further comprising a plurality of third electrodes completely buried in the dielectric layer. |
| 14. | The plasma display panel device according to claim 12, wherein the capillary has a diameter in the range of 10 to 50 hum. |
| 15. | The plasma display panel device according to claim 12, wherein each of the rows has up to three capillaries per pixel. |
| 16. | The plasma display panel device according to claim 12, further comprising a UV visible photon conversion layer on the first substrate. |
| 17. | The plasma display panel device according to claim 12, wherein the device has a pixel size of 120 ism x 360 ism. |
| 18. | The plasma display panel device according to claim 12, wherein the device is capable of being driven by both AC and DC voltages. |
| 19. | The plasma display panel device according to claim 12, wherein the device has an address voltage of less than 200 V. |
| 20. | A method of fabricating a plasma display panel device having first and second substrates, comprising the steps of: forming a first electrode on the first substrate ; forming a second electrode on the second substrate ; forming a first dielectric layer on the second electrode including the second substrate ; forming a plurality of third electrodes completely buried on the first dielectric layer ; forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer including the plurality of third electrodes ; and forming a plurality of rows, each of which includes one or more capillaries in the first and second dielectric layer. |
| 21. | The method according to claim 20, wherein the step of forming a plurality of rows, each of which includes one or more capillaries is performed by laser machining or etching. |
| 22. | The method according to claim 20, wherein the capillary has a diameter in a range of 10 to 50 m. |
| 23. | The method according to claim 20, further comprising the step of forming a UV visible photon conversion layer on the first electrode. |
| 24. | The method according to claim 23, wherein the UV visible photon conversion layer includes a phosphor layer. |
| 25. | The method according to claim 20, wherein the first electrode is formed of indium tin oxide. |
| 26. | The method according to claim 20, wherein the device has a display size of 12"to 19"diagonal. |
| 27. | The method according to claim 20, wherein the device has a pixel size of 120 ßm x 360 ism. |
| 28. | The method according to claim 20, wherein the plasma display panel device is capable of being driven by both AC and DC voltages. |
| 29. | The method according to claim 20, wherein the device has an address voltage of less than 200 V. |
Discussion of the Related Art A plasma display panel (PDP) device utilizes gas discharges to convert electric energy into light. Each pixel in the PDP device corresponds to a single gas-discharge site and the light emitted by each pixel is controlled electronically by video signals that represent images.
Generally, a PDP is the choice for large size display devices typically larger than 40"diagonal, while a liquid crystal display (LCD) is the choice for smaller size display devices.
A plasma display provides several advantages over a liquid crystal display. While the liquid crystal display can only be viewed from certain angles, which would be a major problem for a display device, the plasma display provides well-defined images from unlimited viewing angles.
The plasma display has an intrinsic memory-each pixel can remember whether it should be on or off. This memory effect relies on a uniform layer of magnesium oxide, which can readily be deposited without defects over large areas. In contrast, the memory effect in the liquid crystal displays requires transistors at each pixel, which are much more difficult to fabricate reliably. Also, the plasma displays have a faster response time.
The plasma displays are manufactured in a similar way to the cathode-ray tubes and the printed circuits. Thus, the plasma displays are much easier in fabrication than the liquid crystal displays.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a plasma display panel device and method of fabricating the same that substantially obviates one or more of problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
An objective of the present invention is to provide a small scale PDP that can be used in place of a LCD.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a plasma display panel device having high brightness and a fast response time.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a plasma display panel device having a simple structure.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by
practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, a plasma display panel device having first and second substrates includes a first electrode on the first substrate, a second electrode on the second substrate, a dielectric layer on the second electrode including the second substrate, a plurality of third electrodes completely buried in the dielectric layer, a pair of barrier ribs connecting the first and second substrates on the dielectric layer, and a discharge chamber where discharge occurs between the first and second substrates, wherein the discharge chamber faces toward the second electrode through a plurality of rows of capillaries, each of the rows includes one or more capillaries, formed in the dielectric layer.
In another aspect of the present invention, a plasma display panel device having a display size of 12"to 19" diagonal includes first and second substrates juxtaposed in face-to-face relation, the first substrate being a viewing panel, a first electrode on the first substrate, a second electrode on the second substrate, a dielectric layer on the second electrode including the second substrate, a discharge chamber where discharge occurs between the first and second
substrates, wherein the discharge chamber faces towards the second electrode through a plurality of rows, each of which includes one or more capillaries formed in the dielectric layer.
In a further aspect of the present invention, a method of fabricating a plasma display panel device includes the steps of forming a first electrode on the first substrate, forming a second electrode on the second substrate, forming a first dielectric layer on the second electrode including the second substrate, forming a plurality of third electrodes completely buried on the first dielectric layer, forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer including the plurality of third electrodes, and forming a plurality of rows, each of which includes one or more capillaries in the first and second dielectric layer.
It is to be understood that both the-foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a plasma display panel device according to a first embodiment of the present invention ; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a plasma display panel device according to a second embodiment of the present invention ; FIGs. 3A to 3E are cross-sectional views of a method of fabricating the plasma display panel device according to the present invention ; FIG. 4A is a photograph illustrating a plasma discharge in a conventional AC barrier type PDP device; FIGs. 4B and 4C are photographs illustrating a plasma discharge in a PDP device according to the present invention; FIGs. 5A to 5C are schematic views of a plasma discharge according to the present invention; FIG. 6 is a top view of a rear substrate of the PDP device according to the present invention; and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the rear substrate along with the line VII-VII'in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
A capillary type plasma display panel (PDP) device of the present invention utilizes a new scheme of electrical discharges which produces a high density plasma from capillaries. A density and diameter of the capillaries may be varied to optimize discharge characteristics.
FIG. 4A illustrates the intensity of the plasma discharge of the conventional AC barrier type PDP device and FIGs. 4B and 4C illustrate the intensity of the plasma discharge of the capillary type PDP device of the present invention. As shown in FIGs. 4A to 4C, a plasma jet emanating from the capillaries is clearly visible and brighter than that of the conventional AC barrier type PDP device. Also, the intensity of the discharge of the capillary type PDP device of the present invention is significantly larger than that of the conventional AC barrier discharge under the same condition.
FIGs. 5A to 5C schematically illustrate the features of the capillary type PDP device of the present invention. FIG.
5A shows a field Ec inside of the capillary generating a high field discharge and an applied electrode field F,,,,. A high density plasma in the capillary emerges from the end of the capillary into the discharge chamber, serving as an electrode for the discharge chamber. The field inside of the capillary does not collapse even after forming a streamer discharge.
This is due to a high electron-ion recombination at the wall requiring a large production rate on the axis (and therefore a high field) in order to sustain a current. As shown in FIG.
5C, a double layer of electric field exist at the interface of the capillary and the main discharge chamber. By selecting a ratio of the diameter d of the capillary to the length of the capillary L, a high density steady state plasma discharge can be sustained in the discharge chamber.
A PDP device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the PDP device includes a transparent front substrate 1 and a rear substrate 2 disposed facing each other. A first electrode 3, formed of indium tin oxide (ITO), is formed on the transparent front substrate 1 as a biasing electrode for biasing the generated fields to the viewing direction. A UV visible photon conversion layer 6, for example, a phosphor layer, is formed on the first electrode 3 including the first substrate 1. A second electrode 4 is formed on the rear substrate 2 as an address electrode. A dielectric layer 7 is formed on the second electrode 4 including the rear substrate 2. If necessary, a magnesium oxide (MgO) layer may be formed on the dielectric layer 7. A plurality of third electrodes 5 are formed in the dielectric layer 7 in the vicinity of the capillaries as sustain electrodes. A pair of barrier ribs 8 connecting the front substrate 1 and the rear substrate 2 are formed on the dielectric layer 7. A discharge chamber 10 is formed between the front substrate 1 and the rear substrate 2 defined by the pair of barrier ribs 8. Typically, the discharge chamber 10 is filled with an inert gas mixture such as Xenon (Xe) to generate a UV emission.
In this embodiment, the dielectric layer 7 has at least one capillary 9 (or channel) to expose the second electrode 4 to the discharge chamber, so that a steady state high density is generated. Thus, a UV emission is obtained in the discharge chamber 10. A diameter of the capillary 9 is typically 10 to 50 ßm. The number of the capillary per pixel
can be up to 3. The capillaries are formed in one or more rows, as shown in FIG. 6 and 7. The PDP device of the present invention has a display size of about 5"to 35"diagonal, preferably 12"to 19"diagonal and a pixel size of about 120 Am x 360 ism. Therefore, The PDP of the present invention is suitable for the display size traditionally engaged by LCD.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a PDP device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the PDP device of the second embodiment has the similar structure as that of the first embodiment, except for that an address electrode 24 is formed on a front substrate 21 and a biasing electrode 23 is formed on a rear substrate 22. In biasing the fields generated in the second embodiment, a different polarity of the electric field is applied to the bias electrode. The polarity for biasing in the second embodiment is opposite to that of the first embodiment.
A method of fabricating a plasma display panel device according to the present invention is explained as follows: An embodiment of methods of fabricating a plasma display panel device of the present invention is described with reference to FIGs. 3A to 3E.
As shown in FIG. 3A, a first electrode 32 formed of ITO is deposited on a front glass substrate 31. In FIG. 3B, a first transparent dielectric layer 33a, formed. of lead oxide (PbO) glass, for example, is formed on the front substrate 31 including the first electrode 32. Then, a plurality of
electrodes 34, made of ITO, are formed on the first transparent dielectric layer 33a in FIG. 3C. Each of the plurality of electrodes has a width in the range of about 100 to 200 ßm. As shown in FIG. 3D, a second transparent dielectric layer 33b is formed on the first dielectric layer 33a including the plurality of electrodes 34.
Thereafter, at least one capillary 35 is formed in the first and second dielectric layers 33a and 33b by laser machining or etching to expose the first electrode 32 to a discharge chamber, as shown in FIG. 3E. A screen printing process or a sputtering method may be used to form the other layers.
A plasma display panel device and method of fabricating the same of the present invention has the following advantages over LCD.
Unlike LCDs, it is easier to fabricate reliably because the memory effect of the PDP does not depend on the transistors at each pixel. In addition, the emissive nature of the PDP device provides a wide viewing angle.
Also, a manufacturing process is readily completed because the PDP is fabricated in the similar way to the cathode-ray tubes and the printed circuits. Further, the structure of the PDP in the present invention is simpler than that of the conventional PDP device. This is because neither a current limiting resistor nor MgO layer is required in the present invention. In addition, a life time of the PDP in the present invention is much improved and a manufacturing cost
is reduced since costly MgO deposition process can be eliminated and for the same reason set forth above.
The fields in the capillary do not collapse. Thus, a discharge having high electric fields is maintained in the capillary. As a result, much enhanced brightness is obtained in the PDP of the present invention.
The PDP device of the present invention is capable of being operated in both AC and DC modes and has an address voltage less than 200 V. This is possible because a breakdown voltage is lowered by using a large field across the dielectric layer in the early phase of a cycle for generating electron avalanches in the capillary.
Further, unlike the conventional AC PDP, the response time is very short because a time for dielectric charging is eliminated from the response time. Accordingly, the present invention provides a high efficiency by generating a steady state high density W emission.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in a plasma display panel device and method of fabricating the same of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
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