Mechanism and reduction of temporal image sticking in ac plasma display panel

It is found that temporal image sticking in ac plasma display panels (PDPs) is predominantly induced by organic impurities, such as C_xH _y, on the MgO surface. The vacuum ultraviolet produced during a short sustain discharge dissociates these organic impurities, such as C _xH_y, into C and H, where the latter then combines with the O from the MgO surface, resulting in the production of chemical compounds, including H₂O, that lower the luminance by hindering the visible conversion of the phosphor layer. Thus, according to this mechanism, minimizing the residual organic impurities, such as C_xH_y, on the MgO surface is a key factor for removing temporal image sticking. Therefore, to reduce the residual impurity level on the MgO layer of a 50 in. full-high definition (HD) ac-PDP with an He (35%)-Xe (11%) content, the MgO layer is given rf-plasma treatment using various gases, and the experimental results show that Ar plasma treatment was most effective in eliminating the residual impurities on the MgO layer and thereby improving the temporal image sticking.