Mechanism of permanent image sticking induced by ion bombardment and reduction method for ac plasma display panels

Ion bombardment of the phosphor layer during a sustain discharge was identified as the key factor inducing permanent image sticking and reducing the lifetime of alternating-current (ac) plasma display panels (PDPs). Secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) confirmed that ion bombardment of the phosphor layer facilitated the re-crystallization of the Mg particles sputtered from the MgO surface during a discharge, thereby degrading the visible conversion of the phosphor layer and eventually lowering the luminance and color temperature. Based on this mechanism, experimental results showed that the re-crystallization of the Mg particles was suppressed when using a positive-biased address electrode to diminish the ion bombardment of the phosphor layer. Consequently, minimizing the ion bombardment of the phosphor layer during a sustain discharge was shown to mitigate permanent image sticking in an ac PDP by suppressing the re-crystallization of the Mg particles.