Plasma behavior in a novel flexible plasma display panel (PDP) cell structure

Summary form only given. A study, both theoretical and experimental, on the behavior of DC argon plasma discharges at the pressures in the range of 10-30 mbar in flexible plasma display panels is reported in this paper. Flexible PDPs can have a wide range of applications since their working conditions do not change in the bent mode. Conventional plasma display panel cells need large external resistorsto make the stable operation of the discharge possible. The new cell structure with a tunnel above the cathode does not need an external resistance to limit the current. The low height of the tunnel (about 3 mum) with respect to its width (about 50 mum) causes the plasma to have a positive resistance characteristic. Experimental measurements show that the total resistance of plasma (resistance of plasma in tunnel and the rest and main part of plasma) in this configuration varies between 150 MOmega to 200 MOmega which makes the use of 100 MOmega external resistors unnecessary. Three dimensional simulations based on simultaneous solution of Poisson equation, particle conservation and momentum conservation equations for electrons and positively charged ions are used to model the discharge in these configurations. Appropriate boundary conditions in the vicinity of substrates and electrodes as well as charging of the insulating walls have been taken into consideration. Finally, the results consisting of electrons and ions densities, energy of electrons, and density of excited neutrals, total current and voltage are given in tunneled and normal structures. These results are then validated by experimental measurements of current and voltage. Moreover, a comparison is made between light intensity profiles in photos of a flexible PDP cell in different working conditions and simulation results.