Three-dimensional Monte Carlo/particle-in-cell studies of anode striations and cathode ionization wave in barrier-discharges in AC-PDP cell

The dynamics of the sustain discharge pulse in an ac-PDP cell is studied via the three-dimensional Monte Carlo/Particle-in-Cell simulations. Key phases in the discharge development are identified and thoroughly illustrated with an extensive set of plots. The main effort is focused on the study of the striations above the dielectric surface of the anode and on understanding the mechanisms responsible for the propagation of the cathode ionization wave. Both of these phenomena are representative examples of dielectric-surface charging processes in strongly collisional plasmas of barrier discharges