Optical write-in for the plasma display panel

Techniques of changing the state of plasma display cells with externally applied light are presented. Optical write-in offers the advantage of high-speed parallel data transfer from a photographic transparency to a plasma display panel. It is established that light incident on a plasma cell causes a photoemission from the inner glass surface. The emitted electrons perturb the wall voltage and cause a change in state. The intensity of light needed to change the state of cells can be reduced, without changing the solid panel materials, by two techniques, Electron avalanches initiated by the photoelectrons can be used to decrease the light needed by a factor of 100. By flashing light during the plasma display cell gas discharge, the intensity of the light can be further reduced.