JP2007265772A - Plasma display panel - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent deterioration of luminance and luminous efficiency as a result of high definition of a PDP. <P>SOLUTION: The PDP is provided with field control electrodes Zx, Zy which are arranged at a discharge space S side rather than row electrode pair (X, Y) between a front glass substrate 1 and a rear glass substrate 4, are formed in a pair mutually opposed in the horizontal direction of the front glass substrate 1 through a prescribed gap at the position respectively opposed to the discharge cell C, overlap respectively partially with the row electrodes X, Y of the row electrode pair (X, Y) in thickness direction of the front glass substrate 1, and are arranged separated from each other through a dielectric layer 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a configuration of a plasma display panel.

  In general, in a plasma display panel (hereinafter referred to as PDP), a plurality of row electrode pairs extending in a row direction are arranged in parallel in a column direction on one of two glass substrates facing each other across a discharge space. Further, a protective layer made of magnesium oxide is formed on the surface of the dielectric layer, and a plurality of column electrodes extending in the column direction are arranged in the row direction on the other glass substrate. Discharge cells arranged in a matrix along the panel surface are formed in the discharge space where the row electrode pairs and the column electrodes cross each other.

  In each discharge cell, phosphor layers that are color-coded into three primary colors of red, green, and blue are formed.

  A discharge gas composed of a mixed gas of neon and xenon is enclosed in the discharge space of the PDP.

  In the PDP having such a configuration, a reset discharge is simultaneously performed between paired row electrodes, and then an address discharge is selectively generated between one row electrode and a column electrode of the row electrode pair. The light emitting cells in which the wall charges are formed in the dielectric layer in the portion facing the discharge cells and the extinguished cells from which the wall charges in the dielectric layer are erased are distributed on the panel surface, and then the light emitting cells Sustain discharge is performed between the pair of row electrodes in the inside, and vacuum ultraviolet rays are emitted from the discharge gas xenon in the discharge space, and the red, green, and blue phosphor layers are excited by the vacuum ultraviolet rays, respectively. By emitting light, an image corresponding to the video signal is formed on the panel surface.

  Conventionally, in the PDP having such a configuration, when the discharge cells are miniaturized in order to increase the definition of the screen, the brightness and light emission efficiency of the panel are reduced as the size of each discharge cell is reduced. The problem that it ends up occurs.

  The reason why such a problem occurs is as follows.

FIG. 1 shows the basic structure of glow discharge plasma. In FIG. 1, the distance between the electrodes E1 and E2 of the discharge tube T is x, and the length of the portion including the positive column, anode glow, and anode dark part is shown. When the length is y, the length of the portion including the negative glow and the Faraday dark portion is c, and the length of the cathode descending portion is d, the length y of the portion including the positive column is
y = x- (d + c)
It becomes.

  Here, considering the case where the length x between the electrodes E1 and E2 of the discharge tube T is shortened, the sum of the length c of the portion including the negative glow and the Faraday dark portion and the length d of the cathode descending portion ( Since d + c) does not change, as shown in the graph of FIG. 2, the length y of the portion including the positive column becomes shorter as the distance x between the electrodes E1 and E2 becomes shorter, and the distance between the electrodes E1 and E2 becomes shorter. When x is equal to (d + c), the positive column is not generated.

  A similar phenomenon occurs when the size of the discharge cell C of the PDP is miniaturized. As the size of each discharge cell is reduced when the discharge cell is miniaturized, the interval between the row electrodes is reduced. When the length is shortened, the length of the positive column generated by the discharge in the discharge cell is shortened, and the luminance and light emission efficiency of the panel are lowered.

  The reduction in panel brightness and light emission efficiency due to such miniaturization of discharge cells has become an obstacle to achieving higher definition of PDPs, and solving these problems has long been a challenge. Yes.

  The present invention makes it one of the solutions to achieve the above-described problems in the conventional PDP.

  In order to solve the above problems, a plasma display panel according to the present invention (the invention described in claim 1) is arranged between a pair of substrates opposed via a discharge space and the pair of substrates so as to cross each other. In a plasma display panel having a row electrode pair and a column electrode extending in a direction and forming a unit light emitting region in a discharge space at an intersecting portion, and a dielectric layer covering the row electrode pair, The electrode is disposed on the discharge space side with respect to the pair of row electrodes, and is paired so as to face each other in a horizontal direction with a predetermined gap at a position facing each unit light emitting region. In FIG. 5, the electric field control electrode is provided which partially overlaps the row electrode of the row electrode pair and is separated from the other via a dielectric layer.

  The present invention relates to a pair of substrates opposed via a discharge space, a row electrode pair disposed between the pair of substrates and extending in a direction intersecting each other to form a unit light emitting region in the discharge space at the intersection. The column electrode, the dielectric layer covering the row electrode pair, and the row electrode pair between the pair of substrates are disposed on the discharge space side, and are disposed to each other through a required gap at positions facing the unit light emitting regions. An electric field control electrode which is paired in a horizontal direction with the substrate and partially overlaps the row electrodes of the row electrode pair in the thickness direction of the substrate and is separated by a dielectric layer The PDP provided with is the best embodiment.

  When the PDP according to this embodiment is driven, a required voltage is applied between the electric field control electrodes arranged in pairs for each unit light emitting region, and the electric field control electrodes are formed by the pair of electric field control electrodes. A strong electric field region is formed in the adjacent unit light emitting region.

  Further, the cathode descending portion of the glow discharge plasma generated between the row electrodes of the row electrode pair is limited within this strong electric field region, so that the length of the cathode descending portion of the glow discharge plasma is longer than that of the conventional PDP. As a result, the area for generating the positive column of the glow discharge plasma wider than that of the conventional PDP is ensured in the unit emission region.

  Therefore, in the PDP, the size of each unit light emitting region is reduced to, for example, a length of one side of at least one direction of the unit light emitting region to 400 μm or less due to the high definition of the PDP. Even when the interval between the electrodes is reduced, it becomes possible to form a positive column of glow discharge plasma having a sufficient length when a discharge occurs between the row electrodes of the row electrode pair. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a decrease in light emission luminance and light emission efficiency.

  In the PDP of the above-described embodiment, the electric field control electrode has a protrusion protruding toward the other electric field control electrode side at the tip portion facing the other electric field control electrode paired via the gap. Preferably, a strong electric field region is easily formed in the unit light emitting region.

  The strong electric field region is formed in the unit light-emitting region by forming a plurality of protrusions on the electric field control electrode at a predetermined interval along a gap between the pair of the other electric field control electrodes. It is further facilitated by forming or setting the length of the protrusions to a size greater than the width.

  Further, in the PDP of the above embodiment, the electric field control electrode is protruded toward the other electric field control electrode side at the tip portion facing the other electric field control electrode paired via the gap. It is preferable to include one protrusion and a second protrusion protruding from the first protrusion in a direction perpendicular to the substrate.

  In this PDP, since the second protrusion is formed on the first protrusion in a direction perpendicular to the substrate, the distribution of the strong electric field formed by the electric field control electrode has only the first protrusion. Compared with the case where the electric field control electrode is oriented, it is directed in the direction perpendicular to the electric field control electrode, that is, in the direction of the discharge space, and the penetration into the dielectric layer covering the row electrode is reduced. The strong electric field region can be reliably formed.

  The strong electric field region is formed in the unit light emitting region by setting the lengths of the first protrusion and the second protrusion to be longer than the width, or by setting the second protrusion to the first protrusion. By forming a plurality at a required interval in the length direction or by forming a plurality of first protrusions at a required interval along the gap between the other electric field control electrode paired , It can be done more reliably.

  Furthermore, in the PDP of the above embodiment, the electric field control electrode is covered with another dielectric layer formed on the dielectric layer covering the row electrode pair, and the dielectric layer covering the electric field control electrode The thickness is preferably set to 5 μm or less.

  In this PDP, the thickness of the dielectric layer covering the electric field control electrode is set to 5 μm or less, so that the surface of the dielectric layer is strongly applied even when the electric field control electrode is covered with the dielectric layer. An electric field can appear.

  3 to 5 show a first example of the embodiment of the PDP according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a front view schematically showing the PDP in the first example, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line WW in FIG. 3.

  In the PDP shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a plurality of row electrode pairs (X, Y) are arranged in the row direction of the front glass substrate 1 (left and right direction in FIG. 1) on the back surface of the front glass substrate 1 as a display surface. They are arranged in parallel so as to extend.

  The row electrode X includes a strip-shaped transparent electrode Xa extending in the row direction by a transparent conductive film such as ITO, and a narrow strip-shaped bus electrode Xb connected to the base end side of the transparent electrode Xa and extending in the row direction by a metal film. And is composed of.

  Similarly to the row electrode X, the row electrode Y has a strip-like transparent electrode Ya extending in the row direction by a transparent conductive film such as ITO, and a width extending in the row direction by a metal film connected to the base end side of the transparent electrode Ya. It is composed of a narrow strip-shaped bus electrode Yb.

  The row electrodes X and Y are alternately arranged in the column direction of the front glass substrate 1 (vertical direction in FIG. 1), and the transparent electrodes Xa and Ya extend to the paired row electrode side. And facing each other through a discharge gap having a required width.

  A dielectric layer 2 is formed on the back surface of the front glass substrate 1, and the row electrode pair (X, Y) is covered with the dielectric layer 2.

  On the rear surface of the dielectric layer 2, a plurality of electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy having the following shapes are arranged in the row direction along the transparent electrodes Xa and Ya of the row electrodes X and Y, respectively. .

  That is, each of the electric field control electrodes Zx is formed into an independent substantially square shape, is integrally formed on the tip end side, and is arranged at equal intervals along the tip end edge, and is arranged on the front side. Has a plurality of projections Zxa.

  Each of the protrusions Zxa is formed into a narrow rectangular shape whose length in the front-rear direction (direction in which the protrusion Zxa protrudes) is longer than the dimension in the width direction.

  The electric field control electrodes Zx are arranged at predetermined equidistant positions along the row electrodes X on the back surface of the dielectric layer 2 and are also transparent electrodes Xa of the row electrodes X when viewed from the front glass substrate 1 side. And the protrusion Zxa is located at a position protruding forward from the tip of the transparent electrode Xa (the end on the side facing the transparent electrode Ya).

  Similarly to the electric field control electrode Zx, each of the electric field control electrodes Zy has an independent substantially rectangular shape, is integrally formed on the distal end side, and is comb-shaped along the distal end side edge. And a plurality of protrusions Zya that are arranged at equal intervals and protrude forward.

  Each of the protrusions Zya is formed into a narrow rectangular shape whose length in the front-rear direction (direction in which the protrusion Zya protrudes) is longer than the dimension in the width direction.

  The electric field control electrodes Zy are arranged at predetermined equidistant positions along the row electrodes Y on the back surface of the dielectric layer 2, and the transparent electrodes Ya of the row electrodes Y as viewed from the front glass substrate 1 side. And the protrusions Zya are positioned so as to protrude forward from the tip of the transparent electrode Ya (the end on the side facing the transparent electrode Xa), and each protrusion Zya is a protrusion Zxa of the electric field control electrode Zx. And face each other through a required gap.

  A protective layer 3 is further formed of magnesium oxide on the back surface of the dielectric layer 2 to cover the dielectric layer 2 and the electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy.

  On the other hand, on the display side surface of the rear glass substrate 4 arranged in parallel with the front glass substrate 1 at a predetermined interval, the column electrodes D are paired so as to face each other. They are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals so as to extend in a direction (column direction) orthogonal to the row electrode pair (X, Y) at a position facing Zx, Zy.

  A white column electrode protective layer (dielectric layer) 5 covering the column electrode D is further formed on the display side surface of the rear glass substrate 4, and a partition wall 6 is formed on the column electrode protective layer 5. Has been.

  This partition wall 6 is located at an intermediate position between the horizontal wall 6A extending in the row direction and the adjacent column electrode D at a position facing the bus electrodes Xb and Yb positioned back to back of the adjacent row electrode pair (X, Y). It is formed in a substantially lattice shape by the vertical wall 6B extending in the column direction at the opposing position.

And by this substantially lattice-shaped partition wall 6, the discharge space S between the front glass substrate 1 and the rear glass substrate 6 is partitioned into squares to form discharge cells C. In this embodiment, each discharge cell C is formed. The length and / or length of the discharge cell C is set to 400 μm or less.
In each discharge cell C, transparent electrodes Xa, Ya of the row electrode pair (X, Y) facing each other and electric field control electrodes Zx, Zy facing each other are opposed to each other. .

  In each discharge cell C, a phosphor layer 7 is formed on the side surfaces of the horizontal wall 6A and the vertical wall 6B of the partition wall 6 and the surface of the column electrode protection layer 5 so as to cover all these five surfaces. The color of the phosphor layer 7 is color-coded for each discharge cell C, and the three primary colors of red, green and blue are arranged in order in the row direction.

  A discharge gas containing xenon is enclosed in the discharge space S.

  When this PDP is driven, reset discharge is simultaneously performed between the transparent electrodes Xa and Ya of the row electrode pair (X, Y).

  Next, an address discharge is selectively generated corresponding to the video signal between one row electrode Y and the column electrode D of the row electrode pair (X, Y), and the dielectric of the portion facing the discharge cell C is generated. A wall charge is formed in the body layer 2 (or the formed wall charge is erased), so that the wall charge is formed in the dielectric layer 2 of the opposing portion and the wall of the dielectric layer 2 Unlit cells from which charges have been erased are distributed on the panel surface.

  Thereafter, a sustain discharge is performed between the transparent electrodes Xa and Ya of the row electrodes X and Y of the row electrode pair (X, Y) in the light emitting cell, and a vacuum is generated from the xenon in the discharge gas in the discharge space S. Ultraviolet rays are radiated, and the red, green, and blue phosphor layers 7 are excited by the vacuum ultraviolet rays to emit light, whereby an image by matrix display corresponding to the video signal is formed on the panel surface.

  When the PDP is driven, a required voltage is applied between the electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy, and the electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy to which this voltage is applied cause a discharge as shown in FIG. A flat strong electric field region A is formed in a region parallel to the surface of the protective layer 3 in the vicinity of the electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy in the cell C, and when a sustain discharge occurs, the cathode descending portion of the glow discharge plasma (See FIG. 1) is limited to this strong electric field region A.

  In a conventional PDP having no electric field control electrode, only a weak electric field region is formed in a region parallel to the surface of the protective layer in the discharge cell. It is not limited to a narrow area near the protective layer.

Accordingly, as can be seen from the description given with reference to FIG. 1, when a sustain discharge is generated in this PDP,
y1 = x1- (d1 + c1)
x1: Discharge distance between transparent electrodes Xa and Ya
y1: Length of positive column PC
c1: Length of the part including the negative glow and the Faraday dark part
d1: From the formula of the length of the cathode descending portion, the cathode descending portion is limited to the strong electric field region A, and the length d1 of the cathode descending portion becomes shorter than in the case of the conventional PDP, as shown in FIG. In addition, the length y1 of the positive column PC generated in the discharge cell C is longer than that of the conventional PDP.

  Therefore, in the PDP, the size of each discharge cell C is reduced due to the high definition of the PDP, and accordingly, even when the interval between the transparent electrodes Xa and Ya that generate the sustain discharge is reduced, It becomes possible to form a positive column PC having a sufficient length during sustain discharge, thereby preventing a decrease in light emission luminance and light emission efficiency.

  Here, when the PDP has a structure in which a strong electric field region is formed in the discharge space at the time of discharge, an extremely large electric field is generated inside the dielectric layer, and dielectric breakdown due to damage of the dielectric layer is caused. It may happen.

  When such a dielectric breakdown occurs in the PDP, a discharge electrode (row electrode) covered with the dielectric layer due to a large amount of wall charges generated in the discharge space and accumulated on the surface of the dielectric layer. On the other hand, a large amount of electrons flow in and out, which may cause destruction of the discharge electrode (row electrode), further destruction of the dielectric layer, destruction of the circuit of the power supply system, and the like.

  For example, FIGS. 8 and 9 show a state in which electrodes Z1x and Z1y having the same shape as the electric field control electrode of the PDP are formed facing the back surface of the front glass substrate 10 and covered with the dielectric layer 11. FIG. A plurality of protrusions Z1xa and Z1ya having a length of 20 μm and a width of 10 μm, which are arranged in a comb-like shape, are arranged at 15 μm intervals, respectively, at the tip edges of the electrodes Z1x and Z1y facing each other. Yes.

  In FIG. 9, 12 is a magnesium oxide layer covering the dielectric layer 11, and i is an equipotential line generated when a voltage is applied between the electrodes Z1x and Z1y.

  In FIG. 9, the strong electric field A1 is concentrated in a very narrow region near the tips of the projections Z1xa and Z1ya of the electrodes Z1x and Z1y in the dielectric layer 11, and thus the electric field control electrode Is covered with a dielectric layer, the dielectric layer near the tip of the electric field control electrode may be destroyed.

  Therefore, in the PDP, the electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy overlap the transparent electrodes Xa and Ya of the row electrodes X and Y, respectively, as viewed from the front glass substrate 1 side on the back surface of the dielectric layer 2. The protrusions Zxa and Zya are positioned at positions projecting forward from the tip portions of the transparent electrodes Xa and Ya (the end portions facing each other through the discharge gap), thereby preventing the occurrence of dielectric breakdown. Yes.

  That is, FIGS. 10 and 11 show a state where a strong electric field is generated by the electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy in the PDP of FIGS.

  10 and 11, W indicates the length of the portion of the electric field control electrodes Zx, Zy protruding from the tips of the transparent electrodes Xa, Ya when viewed from the front glass substrate 1, and w is the electric field control. The lengths of the projections Zxa and Zya of the electrodes Zx and Zy are shown, i is an equipotential line generated when a voltage is applied to the electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy, and the region α is an electric field control electrode Zx And a region sandwiched between the transparent electrode Xa and a region sandwiched between the electric field control electrode Zy and the transparent electrode Ya, and a region β is formed only by the tip portions of the electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy between the transparent electrodes Xa and Ya. The included area is shown.

  As can be seen from FIG. 11, in the PDP configured as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, an electric field region is formed in the discharge space S near the surface of the dielectric layer 2 and the electrodes by the electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy. .

  In the region α, a parallel plate type capacitive structure is formed by the electric field control electrode Zx and the transparent electrode Xa or the electric field control electrode Zy and the transparent electrode Ya, respectively, and no strong electric field is generated. , A strong electric field is generated around the projections Zxa and Zya of the electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy.

  The electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy are formed on the back side of the dielectric layer 2, so that the dielectric layer 2 having a strong electric field generated around the projections Zxa and Zya of the electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy. However, it is formed so as to be offset toward the discharge space side (the lower side in FIG. 11).

  3 to 5, the dielectric layer 2 is prevented from being damaged by the strong electric field formed by the electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy, thereby preventing dielectric breakdown.

  Even if this dielectric breakdown occurs, the length W of the electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy protruding from the tips of the transparent electrodes Xa and Ya is set to the length of the protrusions Zxa and Zya of the electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy. If it is set to be sufficiently larger than the length w, it is possible to prevent the transparent electrodes Xa and Ya and the electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy from being conducted.

  3 to 5, the electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy are formed on the dielectric layer 2 and covered only by the protective layer 3, but the second dielectric layer 2 is further covered by the second layer. A dielectric layer may be formed to cover the electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy.

  In this case, as described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the dielectric breakdown of the second dielectric layer covering the electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy is a problem due to the strong electric field formed by the electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy. It becomes.

  FIG. 12 shows the discharge distribution on the surface of the second dielectric layer when the thickness of the second dielectric layer covering the electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy is 1 μm, and the thickness of the dielectric layer is 20 μm. It is a graph shown compared with the case where it does not have a processus | protrusion, The distance from the surface of a 2nd dielectric material layer is taken on the horizontal axis, and the electric field strength is taken on the vertical axis | shaft, respectively.

  As can be seen from FIG. 12, the electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy have protrusions Zxa and Zya at their tips, thereby generating a strong electric field. Further, this strong electric field is generated on the surface of the second dielectric layer. When the electrode has no protrusion and the thickness of the second dielectric layer is thick, the strong electric field portion is the surface of the second dielectric layer. Does not appear.

  From the above, when forming the second dielectric layer covering the electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy, if the thickness of the second dielectric layer is sufficiently thin, the surface of the second dielectric layer is formed. It can be seen that a steep electric field distribution appears.

  As a result of the experiment, when the thickness of the second dielectric layer is 5 μm or less, a strong electric field portion appears on the surface of the second dielectric layer.

  FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the lengths of the projections Zxa and Zya of the electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy and the electric field distribution on the surface of the second dielectric layer. The length of the projections Zxa and Zya is 0 μm (ie, The electric field distribution in the case of no projection), 10 μm, and 20 μm is compared.

  In FIG. 13, the thicknesses of the second dielectric layers covering the electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy are both 1 μm, and the widths of the protrusions are both set to 10 μm.

  From FIG. 13, when the length of the projection of the electrode is 10 μm or more, the electric field strength increases rapidly, so that if the length of the projection is equal to or greater than the width of the projection (10 μm), the electric field control electrodes It can be seen that even when covered with the second dielectric layer, a strong electric field region can be sufficiently formed in the vicinity of the surface of the second dielectric layer.

  14 and 15 show the shape of the electric field control electrode in the second embodiment of the PDP according to the present invention.

  In this second embodiment, each of the electric field control electrodes Z which are paired to face each other is integrally formed on the distal end side in the same manner as the electric field control electrodes Zx and Zy of the first embodiment. A plurality of first protrusions Za are arranged along the tip side edge at equal intervals in a comb shape and project forward.

  The electric field control electrode Z is further provided with a first protrusion Za on a surface on one side of each tip of the first protrusion Za in a direction orthogonal to the plate direction of the electric field control electrode Z. A plurality of second protrusions Zb projecting from each other (three in the illustrated example) are integrally formed.

  The electric field control electrode Z is arranged in parallel with the transparent electrode of the row electrode on the back side of the dielectric layer covering the row electrode, as in the case of the PDP of the first embodiment. At this time, the second protrusion Zb Is arranged so as to face, for example, the discharge space side.

  The structure of the other parts of the PDP in the second embodiment is the same as that of the PDP shown in FIGS.

  In the PDP according to the second embodiment, when a voltage is applied to the electric field control electrode Z during driving, a strong electric field is generated at the tip of the electric field control electrode Z as described in the first embodiment. .

  At this time, the first protrusion Za of the electric field control electrode Z is formed with the second protrusion Zb protruding perpendicularly from the first protrusion Za, so that the distribution of the strong electric field generated is the first implementation. Compared to the case of the example, it is directed in the direction perpendicular to the electric field control electrode Z, that is, in the direction of the discharge space, so that the penetration into the dielectric layer covering the row electrode is reduced, and in the discharge space. The strong electric field region can be reliably formed.

  Accordingly, in the PDP according to the second embodiment, the size of each discharge cell is reduced by the high definition of the PDP, and accordingly, the interval between the transparent electrodes of the row electrode pair that generates the sustain discharge is reduced. However, it becomes possible to form a positive column having a sufficient length at the time of sustain discharge, thereby preventing further reduction in light emission luminance and light emission efficiency as compared with the PDP of the first embodiment. become able to do.

  The length of the second protrusion Zb of the electric field control electrode Z is the same as that described for the protrusion of the electric field control electrode in the first embodiment, and the length is longer than the width of the second protrusion Zb. What is necessary is just to set so that it may become large, and it is preferable to set so that the mutual arrangement | positioning space | interval of the 2nd protrusion Zb may also become larger than the width | variety of the 2nd protrusion Zb.

  The PDP in each of the above embodiments has a pair of substrates facing each other through the discharge space, and is arranged between the pair of substrates and extends in a direction intersecting each other to form a unit light emitting region in the discharge space at the intersection. A row electrode pair and a column electrode, a dielectric layer that covers the row electrode pair, and a gap disposed between the pair of substrates on the discharge space side with respect to the pair of substrates, each facing a unit light emitting region. Are paired so as to be opposed to each other in the horizontal direction with respect to each other through the substrate, and partially overlap each other with respect to the row electrodes of the row electrode pair in the thickness direction of the substrate and spaced apart via the dielectric layer A PDP provided with an electric field control electrode is an embodiment of the superordinate concept.

  In the PDP of the embodiment constituting this superordinate concept, a required voltage is applied between the electric field control electrodes arranged in pairs for each unit light emitting region during driving, and the pair of electric field control electrodes A strong electric field region is formed in the opposing unit light emitting region in the vicinity of the electric field control electrode.

  Further, the cathode descending portion of the glow discharge plasma generated between the row electrodes of the row electrode pair is limited within this strong electric field region, so that the length of the cathode descending portion of the glow discharge plasma is longer than that of the conventional PDP. As a result, the area for generating the positive column of the glow discharge plasma wider than that of the conventional PDP is ensured in the unit emission region.

  Therefore, in the above PDP, even when the size of each unit light emitting region is reduced due to the high definition of the PDP and the distance between the row electrodes of the row electrode pair is reduced accordingly, between the row electrodes of the row electrode pair. It is possible to form a positive column of glow discharge plasma having a sufficient length at the time of the occurrence of discharge, thereby preventing the decrease in light emission luminance and light emission efficiency due to high definition. Become.

It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the prior art example of this invention. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the distance between electrodes in the glow discharge in a prior art example, and the length of a positive column. It is a front view of PDP in 1st Example of this invention. It is sectional drawing in the VV line | wire of FIG. It is sectional drawing in the WW line of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the generation | occurrence | production state of the strong electric field area | region in the Example. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the distance between row electrodes in the glow discharge of the Example, and the length of a positive column. It is a front view for demonstrating the dielectric breakdown by the strong electric field of a dielectric material layer. FIG. It is a rear view for demonstrating the prevention structure of the dielectric breakdown by the strong electric field of the dielectric material layer in the Example. FIG. 10 and 11 are graphs showing the relationship between the dielectric film thickness and the electric field strength distribution. 10 and 11, it is a graph showing the relationship between the length of the electrode protrusion and the electric field intensity distribution. It is a front view which shows the electrode for electric field control of PDP in 2nd Example of this invention. It is a side view of the same electric field control electrode.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Front glass substrate (substrate)
2 ... Dielectric layer 3 ... Protective layer 4 ... Back glass substrate (substrate)
A: Strong electric field region C: Discharge cell (unit emission region)
D ... Column electrode X, Y ... Row electrode Xa, Ya ... Transparent electrode Z, Zx, Zy ... Electric field control electrode Zxa, Zya ... Projection Za ... First projection Zb ... Second projection i ... Equipotential line

Claims (10)

A pair of substrates opposed via a discharge space, a row electrode pair and a column electrode disposed between the pair of substrates and extending in a direction intersecting each other to form unit light emitting regions in the discharge space at the intersection, In a plasma display panel having a dielectric layer covering a row electrode pair,
It is arranged on the discharge space side with respect to the row electrode pair between the pair of substrates, and is paired so as to face each other in a horizontal direction with a required gap at a position facing each unit light emitting region, A plasma display panel, comprising: an electric field control electrode that partially overlaps a row electrode of a row electrode pair in the thickness direction of the substrate and is spaced apart by a dielectric layer.   The electric field control electrode has a protrusion protruding toward the other electric field control electrode at a tip portion facing the other electric field control electrode paired via a gap. 2. The plasma display panel according to 1.   3. The plasma display panel according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of protrusions are formed on the electric field control electrode at a predetermined interval along a gap between the electric field control electrode and the other electric field control electrode.   The plasma display panel according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion has a length equal to or greater than a width.   The first electric field control electrode has a first protrusion projecting toward the other electric field control electrode side at a tip portion facing the other electric field control electrode paired via the gap, and the first The plasma display panel according to claim 1, further comprising a second protrusion protruding from the protrusion in a direction perpendicular to the substrate.   The plasma display panel according to claim 5, wherein each of the first protrusion and the second protrusion has a length equal to or greater than a width.   6. The plasma display panel according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of the second protrusions are formed at a predetermined interval in the length direction of the first protrusions.   6. The plasma display panel according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of first protrusions are formed on the electric field control electrode at a predetermined interval along a gap between the electric field control electrode and the other electric field control electrode.   The electric field control electrode is covered with another dielectric layer formed on the dielectric layer covering the row electrode pair, and the thickness of the dielectric layer covering the electric field control electrode is set to 5 μm or less. The plasma display panel according to claim 1.   The plasma display panel according to claim 1, wherein a length of one side of at least one direction of the unit light emitting region is 400 µm or less.

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