JP3670971B2 - Gas discharge panel - Google Patents

Description

【００６３】
この表1から、実施の形態6では、放電電流の単一ピークを確保しつつ、L₄を増加させてライン抵抗値を減少させ、書き込み期間でのアドレス動作に必要なアドレス印加電圧値を低減できると言える。
ここで本実施の形態6においては、一例として画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、主放電ギャップG＝80μm、電極幅L₁〜L₃＝40μm、L₄＝80μm、電極間隔S₁〜S₃＝70μmとしたが、0.5mm≦P≦1.4mm、60μm≦G≦140μm、10μm≦L₁、L₂、L₃≦60μm、L₁≦L₄≦3L₁、50μm≦S≦140μmの範囲であっても同様の効果が得られることが分かっている。
【００６４】
＜実施の形態7＞
図15に本実施の形態7の表示電極パターンの上面図を示す。実施の形態7の特徴は、一対の表示電極22、23をそれぞれ4本のライン部22a〜22d、23a〜23dで構成し、このうちライン部22c、22d、23c、23dを幅広にし、各電極ギャップS₁〜S₃を主放電ギャップGから遠ざかるほど小さく設定したことである。一例として、ここでは画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、主放電ギャップG＝80μm、電極幅L₁、L₂＝30μm、L₃、L₄＝40μm、第1電極ギャップS₁＝90μm、第2電極ギャップS₂＝70μm、第3電極ギャップS₃＝50μmに設定している。
【００６５】
このような構成によっても実施の形態1と同様の効果が得られるほか、以下の効果も奏される。
図16は、実施の形態6および7のPDPにおける電力−輝度曲線を示す。一般にPDPにおいては、投入する電力とパネル輝度は比例関係にあるが、この関係を示す電力−輝度曲線は飽和する傾向にある。このため、発光効率は投入電力の増加によって悪くなる。
【００６６】
しかしながら図16に示すように、実施の形態7では、実施の形態6と同一の電力条件でも高い輝度が実現されており、優れた発光効率が奏されている。
なお本実施の形態7においては、一例として画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、主放電ギャップG＝80μm、電極幅L₁〜L₃＝40μm、第1電極ギャップS₁＝90μm、第2電極ギャップS₂＝70μmとしたが、本願発明はこれに限定するものではなく、0.5mm≦P≦1.4mm、60μm≦G≦140μm、10μm≦L₁、L₂≦60μm、20μm≦L₃、L₄≦70μm、50μm≦S₁≦150μm、40μm≦S₂≦140μm、30μm≦S₃≦130μmの範囲であっても同様の効果が得られることが分かっている。
【００６７】
＜実施の形態8＞
図17に、本実施の形態8の表示電極の上面図を示す。実施の形態8では、一対の表示電極22、23をそれぞれ4本のライン部22a〜22d、23a〜23dで構成し、このうちライン部22c、22d、23c、23dを幅広にし、各電極ギャップS₁〜S₃を主放電ギャップGから遠ざかるほど小さく設定している。そして、当該表示電極22、23とフロントパネルガラス21の間には、前記表示電極22、23の形状パターンに合わせて、酸化ルテニウム等の黒色材料を含有する黒色層（不図示）を設けることにより、ディスプレイの視認性を高めている。
【００６８】
ここでは一例として、画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、主放電ギャップG＝80μm、電極幅L₁、L₂＝35μm、L₃＝45μm、L₄＝85μm、第1電極ギャップS₁＝90μm、第2電極ギャップS₂＝70μm、第3電極ギャップS₃＝50μmにそれぞれ設定している。
このような構成によっても実施の形態1と同様の効果が得られるほか、以下の効果も奏される。
【００６９】
図18は、本実施の形態8のPDPにおいて、L₄を変化させた場合の黒比率と明所コントラストの関係を示す。当図における明所コントラストは、PDPの表示面に対して垂直照度70Lx、水平照度150Lx下において、白色表示時と黒色表示時の輝度比を測定することによって求めた。
一般にPDPにおいては、蛍光体層や隔壁等が白色であるためパネル表示面側の外光反射が大きく、明所でのコントラスト比は20〜50：1程度である。これに対し、本実施の形態8では、L₄を増加させることによって十分な放電規模を得ながら、前記黒色層の効果を相乗させることにより、明所コントラストが約70：1と非常に高い比率を実現することが可能となる。
【００７０】
なお、L₄の値と黒比率を増加させると明所コントラストは更に上昇するが、黒比率を増加させすぎるとセル開口率が減少して輝度の低下する（黒比率が50％では約1割程度輝度が低下する）。このため黒比率は、最大でも60％程度までが望ましいと考えられる。
なお本実施の形態3では、一例として画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、主放電ギャップG＝80μm、電極幅L₁、L₂＝35μm、L₃＝45μm、L₄＝85μm、第1電極ギャップS₁＝90μm、第2電極ギャップS₂＝70μm、第3電極ギャップS₃＝50μmとしたが、本願発明はこれに限定するものではなく、0.5mm≦P≦1.4mm、60μm≦G≦140μm、10μm≦L₁、L₂≦60μm、20μm≦L₃≦70μm、20μm≦L₄≦｛0.3P−（L₁＋L₂＋L₃）｝μm、50μm≦S₁≦150μm、40μm≦S₂≦140μm、30μm≦S₃≦130μmの範囲であっても同様の効果が得られることが分かっている。
【００７１】
また、上記黒色層の材料には、ニッケル、クロム、鉄等の金属酸化物を含有する黒色材料用いてもよい。
＜実施の形態9＞
9-1.表示電極の構成
図19に本実施の形態9の表示電極の上面図を示す。本実施の形態9では、一対の表示電極22、23をそれぞれ4本のライン部22a〜22d、23a〜23dで構成し、このうちライン部22d、23dを幅広にし、各電極ギャップS₁〜S₃をこの順に狭く設定している。さらに本実施の形態9の最大の特徴として、各ライン部22a〜22d、23a〜23dを電気的に接続するショートバー22Sb1〜22Sb3、23Sb1〜23Sb3をランダムに配置している。ショートバー22Sb1〜22Sb3、23Sb1〜23Sb3は、ここではy方向を長手方向とする帯状としているが、これ以外の形状であってもよい。
【００７２】
本実施の形態9では、一例として画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、主放電ギャップG＝80μm、電極幅L₁、L₂＝35μm、L₃＝45μm、L₄＝85μm、第1電極ギャップS₁＝90μm、第2電極ギャップS₂＝70μm、第3電極ギャップS₃＝50μm、ショートバー線幅W_sb＝40μmである。
9-2.実施の形態9の効果
以上の構成を有する実施の形態9のPDPにおいても、実施の形態1とほぼ同様の効果が得られるほか、以下の効果も奏される。
【００７３】
表2に、本実施の形態9のPDPにかかる性能測定データ（ショートバー有無、間隔と断線発生率（回/ライン）、ライン抵抗値及び断線のリペア性）を示す。ここではL₄を50μm〜85μmまで変化させたときの性能測定を行った。また、ここでいう「リペア性」とは、断線を起こしたライン部22d、23dを修理できる難易度（表中では○、△、×の順に難易度が高くなることを表している）を表すものである。
【００７４】
【表２】

【００７５】
この表2から明らかなように、ショートバーを設けたPDPは、ショートバーが無いPDPに比べてライン抵抗値が低く、断線の発生確率も15％から0.4％に低下し、非常に効果が高いことが分かる。本実施の形態4では、各電極間にショートバーを設け、その位置をランダムに配置したことによって、断線の発生確率を低減し、モアレが抑制された良好な表示性能が期待できる。
【００７６】
なお本実施の形態9においては、一例として画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、主放電ギャップG＝80μm、電極幅L₁、L₂＝35μm、L₃＝45μm、L₄＝85μm、第1電極ギャップS₁＝90μm、第2電極ギャップS₂＝70μm、第3電極ギャップS₃＝50μmとしたが、0.5mm≦P≦1.4mm、60μm≦G≦140μm、10μm≦L₁、L₂≦60μm、20μm≦L₃≦70μm、40μm≦L₄≦｛0.3P−（L₁＋L₂＋L₃）｝μm、50μm≦S₁≦150μm、40μm≦S₂≦140μm、30μm≦S₃≦130μm、10μm≦W_sb≦80μmの範囲であっても同様の効果が得られることが分かっている。
＜実施の形態10＞
図20に、本実施の形態10のPDPの隔壁30に沿った部分断面図を示す（当図では放電空間38の紙面奥側が隔壁30となる）。本実施の形態10の表示電極パターンは実施の形態9と同様であるが、当図に示すように、ライン部22d、23dの主放電ギャップG側と反対側に、前記ライン部の長手方向に沿って、補助隔壁（第二隔壁）34を設けたことを特徴とする。この補助隔壁34は、一対の表示電極22、23を区切るように、かつ、隔壁（第一隔壁）30と直交してマトリクスを形成するように配設されている。
【００７７】
本実施の形態10では、一例として画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、主放電ギャップG＝80μm、電極幅L₁、L₂＝35μm、L₃＝45μm、L₄＝85μm、第1電極ギャップS₁＝90μm、第2電極ギャップS₂＝70μm、第3電極ギャップS₃＝50μm、ショートバー線幅W_sb＝40μm、隔壁高さH＝110μm、補助隔壁高さh＝60μm、補助隔壁頂部幅W_alt＝60μm、補助隔壁底部幅W_alb＝100μmとしている。
【００７８】
このような構成によれば、実施の形態9の効果に加え、以下の効果も奏される。
表3に、本実施の形態10のPDPにおいて、Ipg（y方向で隣接する2つの各セル間で隣り合うライン部22d、23d間の距離）を60μm〜360μmに変化させた場合、および補助隔壁の有無とクロストークによる誤放電の有無に関する各データを示す。
【００７９】
【表３】

【００８０】
この表3から明らかなように、補助隔壁34が無い場合には、Ipgが約300μm以下になると、クロストークに起因する誤放電が発生しやすい。これはPDP駆動時において、表示画面のザラツキ感やチラツキの原因となる。一方、本実施の形態10では、補助隔壁34によってIpgが120μm程度まで小さくてもクロストーク等の誤放電が発生せず、良好な表示性能が得られることが分かる。これは、放電にかかるプラズマによって発生した荷電粒子等のプライミング粒子や真空紫外域での共鳴線が補助隔壁34によって放電セル周辺部から隣接セルへ拡散することが抑制されたためである。
【００８１】
ここで、補助隔壁34の高さh（図20を参照）を増加するとクロストークの抑制効果は増すが、あまり隔壁30の高さHと同様程度まで高めると、製造工程時に良好に放電空間38内を脱気して放電ガスを注入することができなくなる。このため、補助隔壁34の高さhは、隔壁30の高さHより10μm以上低いことが望ましい。具体的には、50μm以上120μm以下の範囲とするのが望ましい。
【００８２】
さらに、補助隔壁34の頂部幅W_altおよび底部幅W_albとしては、あまり広く取ると放電規模を低下させてしまうため、具体的には特に30μm以上300μm以下の幅が望ましい。
なお本実施の形態10においては、一例として画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、主放電ギャップG＝80μm、電極幅L₁、L₂＝35μm、L₃＝45μm、L₄＝85μm、第1電極ギャップS₁＝90μm、第2電極ギャップS₂＝70μm、第3電極ギャップS₃＝50μmとしたが、0.5mm≦P≦1.4mm、60μm≦G≦140μm、10μm≦L₁、L₂≦60μm、20μm≦L₃≦70μm、20μm≦L₄≦｛0.3P−（L₁＋L₂＋L₃）｝μm、50μm≦S₁≦150μm、40μm≦S₂≦140μm、30μm≦S₃≦130μm、10μm≦W_sb≦80μm、50μm≦W_alt≦450μm、60μm≦h≦H−10μmの範囲であっても同様の効果が得られることが分かっている。
【００８３】
また、この補助隔壁34は、他の実施の形態に適用してもよい。
＜実施の形態11＞
11-1.表示電極の構成
図21に本実施の形態11の表示電極の上面図を示す。本実施の形態11では、一対の表示電極22、23をそれぞれ4本のライン部22a〜22d、23a〜23dで構成し、このうちライン部22d、23dを幅広にし、各電極ギャップS1〜S3を一定にしている。さらに本実施の形態11の最大の特徴として、各ライン部22a〜22d、23a〜23dを電気的に接続するショートバー22Sbg、23Sbgを、緑色を表示する放電セル（Gセル）内に配置したことを特徴とする。ここでは一例として、画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、主放電ギャップG＝80μm、電極幅L₁〜L₃＝40μm、L₄＝80μm、電極間隔S（S₁〜S₃）＝70μm、ショートバー線幅W_sb＝40μmとしている。
【００８４】
11-2.実施の形態11の効果
以上の構成によれば、実施の形態1とほぼ同様の効果が得られるほか、以下の効果も奏される。
すなわち図22は、本実施の形態11のPDPにおける、駆動電圧波形と放電電流波形の時間変化を示すグラフである。この図から明らかなように、本実施の形態11による構成の電極構造では放電電流波形が単一ピークであるため、1回の駆動パルスにおける放電発光が1μｓ以内に終了し、尚かつ、駆動パルスが立ち上がってから放電電流が最大値を示すまでの時間即ち放電遅れ時間が約0.2μｓ程度と短く、2〜3μｓ程度での高速駆動が可能である。
【００８５】
次に表4は、本実施の形態11のPDPにおける、R、G、B各セルの最小維持電圧V_susminのショートバー依存性を示すデータである。
【００８６】
【表４】

【００８７】
この表から明らかなように、ショートバーがセル内に無いPDPでは、R、G、B各セルのV_susminが異なる。ここで、パネル全体での最小印加電圧は最も電圧値の高いGセルのV_susmin以上に設定するので、各セルごとにV_susminが異なると、駆動マージンの下限が上昇するが、そのために駆動電圧の設定マージンが狭くなる。
【００８８】
これに対し本実施の形態11では、Gセル内にショートバー22Sbg、23Sbgを設けることによって、V_susminを10V程度低下することが可能になっている。これにより、R、G、B間でのV_susminのバラツキが小さくなり、印加電圧の設定値を低下させて駆動電圧マージンを拡大することが可能となった。これは、Gセルに設けたショートバーによって、この部分での表示電極22、23の面積が増加し、Gセルに蓄積される壁電荷量が増加して、放電開始電圧が低減されたことによるものと考えられる。
【００８９】
なお本実施の形態1においては、一例として画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、主放電ギャップG＝80μm、電極幅L₁〜L₃＝40μm、L₄＝80μm、電極間隔S₁〜S₃＝70μm、ショートバー線幅W_sb＝40μmとしたが、0.5mm≦P≦1.4mm、60μm≦G≦140μm、10μm≦L₁、L₂、L₃≦60μm、L₁≦L₄≦3L₁、50μm≦S≦140μm、10μm≦W_sb≦100μmの範囲であっても同様の効果が得られることが分かっている。
【００９０】
＜実施の形態12＞
図23に本実施の形態12の表示電極の上面図を示す。本実施の形態12は、一対の表示電極22、23をそれぞれ4本のライン部22a〜22d、23a〜23dで構成し、このうちライン部22d、23dを幅広にし、各電極ギャップS₁〜S₃を主放電ギャップGから遠ざかるほど狭くしている。さらに、各ライン部22a〜22d、23a〜23dを電気的に接続するショートバー22Sbg、22ｓbｒ、23Sbg、23ｓbｒを、緑色を表示するセル（Gセル）内と、赤色を表示するセル（Rセル）内に配置したことを特徴とする。ここでは一例として、画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、主放電ギャップG＝80μm、電極幅L₁〜L₃＝40μm、L₄＝80μm、第1電極ギャップS₁＝90μm、第2電極ギャップS₂＝70μm、第3電極ギャップS₃＝50μm、ショートバー線幅W_sb＝40μmである。
【００９１】
このような構成は、発光効率の向上に加え、以下の効果も奏するようになされたものである。
すなわち、R、G、B各セルを備えるPDPでは、一般的にR、G、B各セルのTｓが互いに異なっているため、書き込み期間におけるアドレス放電時の放電遅れ時間も異なる。特に、Rセル及びGセルのTｓが大きいため、これらのセルにおけるアドレス放電の確率が若干低く、書き込み不良が比較的発生し易い性質がある。このことは、PDP駆動時においてチラツキ等を発生し画質を低下させる原因となっている。
【００９２】
これを改善する方法として、書き込みパルス電圧を上昇させてTｓを減少させて書き込み時の放電確率を向上させる方法があるが、データドライバー回路の消費電力が増加し、消費電力を増加させてしまうという大きな問題を生じてしまう。
これに対して本実施の形態12は、発光効率の改善とともに、上記問題に対しても解決手段となる。すなわちRセル及びGセル内にショートバーを設け、これらのセルで部分的に電極面積を増加させて静電容量を増やし、Tｓの短期化を図る。これによって、従来に比べてアドレス放電時の放電確率が1桁程度向上し、チラツキ等のアドレス不良による画質劣化が改善される。また、従来より低いアドレス放電電圧（V_data）でも良好な表示性能が得られるため、駆動電圧マージンを拡大させることも可能となっている。
【００９３】
ここで表5は、本実施の形態2による構成のPDPにおける、R、G、B各セルの統計遅れ時間Tｓのショートバー依存性を示す。
【００９４】
【表５】

【００９５】
この表5から明らかなように、すなわち、ショートバーがセル内に無いPDPでは、R、G、B各セルのTｓが互いに異なるため、書き込み期間におけるアドレス放電時の放電遅れ時間も異なる。一方、本実施の形態2による電極構造を用いたPDPは、ショートバーをRセル及びGセル内に配置することによって、統計遅れ時間が改善され、放電確率のバラツキが抑制されており、優れた表示性能のPDPが実現可能になっていることがわかる。
【００９６】
なお本実施の形態12においては、一例として画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、主放電ギャップG＝80μm、電極幅L₁〜L₃＝40μm、L₄＝80μm、第1電極ギャップS₁＝90μm、第2電極ギャップS₂＝70μm、第3電極ギャップS₃＝50μm、ショートバー線幅W_{s b}＝40μmとしたが、本願発明はこれに限定するものではなく、0.5mm≦P≦1.4mm、60μm≦G≦140μm、10μm≦L₁、L₂、L₃≦60μm、L₁≦L₄≦3L₁、50≦S₁≦150μm、40μm≦S₂≦140μm、30μm≦S₃≦130μm、10μm≦W_sb≦100μmの範囲であっても同様の効果が得られることが分かっている。
【００９７】
＜実施の形態13＞
図24に本実施の形態13の表示電極の上面図を示す。実施の形態12との違いは、ショートバー22ｓbb、23ｓbbを青色を表示するセル（Bセル）内のみに配置したことである。ここでは一例として画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、主放電ギャップG＝80μm、電極幅L₁〜L₃＝40μm、L₄＝80μm、第1電極ギャップS₁＝90μm、第2電極ギャップS₂＝70μm、第3電極ギャップS₃＝50μm、ショートバー線幅W_sb＝40μmに設定している。
【００９８】
このような構成は、発光効率の向上に加え、以下の効果をも奏するようになされたものである。
従来のPDPにおいては、一般にR、G、B各セルの輝度のバランスが取りにくく、パネルの色温度が5000〜7000K程度にとどまっている。このパネルの色温度を11000K程度にまで向上させる為には、例えばPDP駆動時のGセルやRセルの輝度を落としてBセルの輝度・色度に合わせることによりホワイトバランスを取る方法がなされているが、ディスプレイの表示輝度が低下するという大きな問題がある。
【００９９】
これに対して本実施の形態13は、発光効率の改善とともに、上記問題に対しても構成されている。すなわち、Bセル内にショートバー22ｓbb、23ｓbbを設けることによって、Bセルにおける電極面積を増加させ、G、Rセルに対する相対輝度を向上させている。このため、従来のようにディスプレイの表示輝度を損なうことなくパネルの色温度を改善することができる。
【０１００】
ここで表3は、本実施の形態3による構成のPDPにおける、白色表示時の色温度のショートバー依存性を示す。
【０１０１】
【表６】

【０１０２】
この表から明らかなように、本実施の形態13のPDPは、Bセル内に配置したショートバー22ｓbb、23ｓbbによって、色温度が9500〜13000Kと非常に高いPDPを実現することができる。
なお本実施の形態13においては、一例として画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、主放電ギャップG＝80μm、電極幅L₁〜L₃＝40μm、L₄＝80μm、第1電極ギャップS₁＝90μm、第2電極ギャップS₂＝70μm、第3電極ギャップS₃＝50μm、ショートバー線幅W_sb＝40μmとしたが、本実施の形態13はこれに限定するものではなく、0.5mm≦P≦1.4mm、60μm≦G≦140μm、10μm≦L₁、L₂、L₃≦60μm、L₁≦L₄≦3L₁、50≦S₁≦150μm、40μm≦S₂≦140μm、30μm≦S₃≦130μm、10μm≦W_sb≦100μmの範囲であっても同様の効果が得られることが分かっている。
【０１０３】
＜実施の形態14＞
図25に本実施の形態14の表示電極の上面図を示す。実施の形態12との違いは、ショートバー22ｓbをスキャン電極22のみに配置したことである。ここでは一例として、画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、主放電ギャップG＝80μm、電極幅L₁〜L₃＝40μm、L₄＝80μm、第1電極ギャップS₁＝90μm、第2電極ギャップS₂＝70μm、第3電極ギャップS₃＝50μm、ショートバー線幅W_sb＝40μmに設定している。
【０１０４】
ここで、ショートバー22ｓbはR、G、B各セルのいずれのスキャン電極22に設けてもよい。本実施の形態14では、全てのセルにショートバー22ｓbを設けている。
このような構成は、発光効率の向上に加え、以下の効果をも奏するようになされたものである。
【０１０５】
すなわち、一般にPDPにおいては、特定の発光画素を選択する書き込み期間に先立って、パネル内の全ての放電セルの壁電荷の状態を均一にするための初期化放電を少なくとも1フィールドに1回以上行う必要がある。この初期化の際、パネル内の全放電セルが一斉に発光（初期化発光）するため、駆動時にパネルで黒色を表示しても正確に再現されず（すなわち完全な非点灯状態ではないため）、コントラスト比が優れない原因となっていた。このため、従来のPDPでは、例えばコントラストが500：1程度であった。
【０１０６】
これに対し本実施の形態14のPDPでは、スキャン電極22に設けたショートバー22ｓbによってスキャン電極22の面積が増加し、当該スキャン電極22に蓄積される壁電荷量が増加する。これにより壁電圧が増加して放電開始電圧が低下するので、初期化放電時のパネル投入電力が低下し、このときのコントラストが向上して優れた表示性能を発揮することが可能となっている。
【０１０７】
表7は、本実施の形態14による構成のPDPにおける、初期化電圧（V_set）およびコントラストのショートバー依存性を示す。
【０１０８】
【表７】

【０１０９】
この表から明らかなように、ショートバーの無い比較例に比べ、ショートバーをスキャン電極に設けたPDP（実施の形態14）では、V_setが低下しているのが分かる。また、これによってコントラストが従来の2倍に改善されているのが分かる。
なお本実施の形態14においては、一例として画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、主放電ギャップG＝80μm、電極幅L₁〜L₃＝40μm、L₄＝80μm、第1電極ギャップS₁＝90μm、第2電極ギャップS₂＝70μm、第3電極ギャップS₃＝50μm、ショートバー線幅W_sb＝40μmとしたが、0.5mm≦P≦1.4mm、60μm≦G≦140μm、10μm≦L₁、L₂、L₃≦60μm、L₁≦L₄≦3L₁、50μm≦S₁≦150μm、40μm≦S₂≦140μm、30μm≦S₃≦130μm、10μm≦W_sb≦100μmの範囲であっても同様の効果が得られることが分かっている。
【０１１０】
＜実施の形態15＞
図26に本実施の形態15による表示電極の上面図を示す。実施の形態14との違いは、ショートバー22ｓbを、スキャン電極22の中央（ライン部22b、22cの間）に配置したことである。ここでは一例として、画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、主放電ギャップG＝80μm、電極幅L₁〜L₃＝40μm、L₄＝80μm、第1電極ギャップS₁＝90μm、第2電極ギャップS₂＝70μm、第3電極ギャップS₃＝50μm、ショートバー線幅W_sb＝40μmに設定している。
【０１１１】
このような構成においても、上記実施の形態14とほぼ同様の効果が奏されるほか、以下の効果が得られる。
すなわち、ショートバー22ｓbをスキャン電極22の中央部に設けたことによって、セル内における発光輝度分布が最も高い主放電ギャップG付近のセル開口率を維持しつつ、比較的広い電極面積を確保できる。したがって、本実施の形態15によれば、単純な複数ライン構造の表示電極よりも、良好なパネル輝度が確保される。
【０１１２】
表8は、本実施の形態5による構成のPDPにおける、データ電圧（V_data）のショートバー依存性を示す。
【０１１３】
【表８】

【０１１４】
この表から明らかなように、ショートバーショートバー22ｓbを設けたセルでは、初期化電圧（V_set）の低減化に成功している。
一般に駆動時のアドレス放電電圧のパルスには、200〜400V/μｓ程度の立ち上がり速度が必要とされる。アドレス放電にかかる無効電力W_Ldは、
W_Ld＝Cp・V_data ²・f
（V_data：アドレス放電電圧、Cp：パネル静電容量、f：書き込み周波数）
で表され、データ電圧の2乗に比例する。本実施の形態15では、アドレス放電電圧を従来より2割ほど削減でき、結果的に無効電力W_Ldは従来より36％程度まで低下させることができる。
【０１１５】
なお、本実施の形態15においては、一例として画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、主放電ギャップG＝80μm、電極幅L₁〜L₃＝40μm、L₄＝80μm、第1電極ギャップS₁＝90μm、第2電極ギャップS₂＝70μm、第3電極ギャップS₃＝50μm、ショートバー線幅W_sb＝40μmとしたが、本願発明はこれに限定するものではなく、0.5mm≦P≦1.4mm、60μm≦G≦140μm、10μm≦L₁、L₂、L₃≦60μm、L₁≦L₄≦3L₁、50μm≦S₁≦150μm、40μm≦S₂≦140μm、30μm≦S₃≦130μm、10μm≦W_sb≦100μmの範囲であっても同様の効果が得られることが分かっている。
【０１１６】
なお、本実施の形態15ではショートバー22ｓbをスキャン電極22の中央（ライン部22b、22cの間）に設ける例を示したが、これ以外に例えばライン部22c、22dの間に設けてもよい。
＜実施の形態16＞
図27に本実施の形態16の表示電極の上面図を示す。実施の形態15との違いは、ショートバー22ｓbを、スキャン電極22のライン部22a、22bの間のみに配置したことである。ここでは一例として、画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、主放電ギャップG＝80μm、電極幅L₁〜L₃＝40μm、L₄＝80μm、第1電極ギャップS₁＝90μm、第2電極ギャップS₂＝70μm、第3電極ギャップS₃＝50μm、ショートバー線幅W_sb＝40μmとしている。
【０１１７】
このような構成においても、上記実施の形態14とほぼ同様の効果が奏されるほか、以下の効果が得られる。
すなわち本実施の形態16では、ショートバー22ｓbをライン部22a、22bの間に配置したことによって、主放電ギャップG付近の壁電荷量或いは壁電圧が増加され、V_set、V_dataが低下して初期化放電やアドレス放電が容易に発生するようになっている。また、V_set及びV_dataの低下にともない、初期化不良或いはアドレス不良が改善されるので駆動マージンが広がり、V_susも低減できる。このようなことから、良好にパネルの消費電力を抑えることが可能となる。
【０１１８】
ここで表9は、本実施の形態16のPDPにおける、V_set、V_sus、V_dataのショートバー依存性を示す。
【０１１９】
【表９】

【０１２０】
この表から明らかなように、ショートバーの無い電極構造のパネルに比べてショートバーをスキャン電極の主放電ギャップ側に設けたパネルでは、V_set、V_sus、V_dataの何れも駆動電圧の低減に成功している。
なお本実施の形態16においては、放電セルの各部分の寸法を、画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、主放電ギャップG＝80μm、電極幅L₁〜L₃＝40μm、L₄＝80μm、第1電極ギャップS₁＝90μm、第2電極ギャップS₂＝70μm、第3電極ギャップS₃＝50μm、ショートバー線幅W_sb＝40μmとしたが、本願発明はこれに限定するものではなく、0.5mm≦P≦1.4mm、60μm≦G≦140μm、10μm≦L₁、L₂、L₃≦60μm、L₁≦L₄≦3L₁、50μm≦S₁≦150μm、40μm≦S₂≦140μm、30μm≦S₃≦130μm、10μm≦W_sb≦100μmの範囲であっても同様の効果が得られることが分かっている。
【０１２１】
また、本実施の形態16においては、ショートバー22ｓbをR、G、B各色すべてのセルに設け、かつR、G、B各セルに対応するショートバーの面積SbR、SbG、SbBをSbB≦SbR≦SbGとすると、R、G各セルの壁電荷がBセルの壁電荷に対して増加し、アドレス放電時のTｓが減少して、R、G、B、各セル間の放電遅れの差が低減されるといった効果が得られるので望ましい。
【０１２２】
＜実施の形態17＞
17-1.表示電極の構成
図28に本実施の形態17の表示電極の上面図を示す。本実施の形態17の特徴は、上記した実施の形態1〜16とは大きく異なっている。すなわち、ここでは表示電極22（23）を、ライン部221（231）と、これに電気的に接続しつつ主放電ギャップG側に設けられた内側突出部222（232）とから構成している。内側突出部222、232は、互いに上底を平行に対向させた中抜きの台形状パターンとしている。ここでは一例として、画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、電極長L＝0.37mm、W_f＝220μmとした。また、表示電極22、23のライン抵抗を低下させる為、内側突出部の線幅W₂≦ライン部幅W₁としている。
【０１２３】
このような表示電極のパターンは、PDP駆動時の放電電流波形ピークが単一になるようにし、かつ、優れた発光効率が得られるように設定したものである。
17-2.実施の形態の効果
以上の構成によっても、実施の形態1とほぼ同様の効果が得られる。すなわち、放電開始時には比較的細い（電極面積の小さい）突出部222、232において、少ない静電容量で放電を開始でき、その後はライン部221、231のギャップにまで放電規模を拡大することができる。このように放電開始電圧を抑えることができ、良好な省電化が期待できる。
【０１２４】
また、これに加えて表示電極22、23で発生する放電の電流波形が単一ピークであるため、1回の駆動パルスにおける放電発光が1μｓ以内に終了する。これに加え、駆動パルスが立ち上がってから放電電流が最大値を示すまでの時間（すなわち放電遅れ時間）が約0.2μｓ程度と短いので、数μｓ程度での高速駆動が可能であり、高い描画性能が期待できる。
【０１２５】
ここで図29は、本実施の形態17のPDPにおける、W₁＝W₂としたときの表示電極の面積と輝度の関係を示している。この図から明らかなように、電極幅が40μm以下では表示電極の面積が減少し、放電電流が減少するために輝度が減少する。逆に、電極幅が80μm以上では表示電極面積が増加して、開口率が減少するために輝度が減少する。このようなことから、本実施の形態17では、電極幅（ライン部と内側突出部の各幅）が40〜80μmの範囲において、パネル輝度が極大となる。
【０１２６】
一方、発光効率は当図において、各点と原点を結ぶ直線の傾きで表されている。当図によれば、発光効率のためには電極幅は細い方がよいと言える。このため、実際の作製方法を考慮に入れると、電極幅はそれぞれ40≦W₁≦80（μm）、10≦W₂≦40（μm）とするのが好ましい。
なお本実施の形態17においては、放電セルの各部分の寸法は、画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、隔壁間隔を画素ピッチPの3分の1、電極長L＝0.37mm、W_f＝220μmとしたが、本願発明はこれに限定するものではなく、0.9mm≦P≦1.4mm、0.05mm≦L＜0.4mm、0.08mm≦W_f≦0.4の範囲であっても同様の効果が得られる。
【０１２７】
また、突出部222、232のy方向側面部を隔壁30に近い位置に配置すると、隔壁30近くの蛍光体層31〜33の壁電荷を利用して放電規模が大きくなるので望ましい。これは以下の実施の形態18〜24のいずれに適用してもよい。
＜実施の形態18＞
図30に本実施の形態18による表示電極の上面図を示す。実施の形態17との違いは、突出部222、232が中空の長方形状パターンとされていることである。このとき、電極線幅は、実施の形態17と同様の目的でW₂≦W₁に設定している。
【０１２８】
このような構成によれば、ほぼ実施の形態17と同様の効果が奏されるほか、以下の効果が得られる。
図31は、本実施の形態18のPDPにおける、W₁＝W₂としたときの電極面積と輝度の関係である。この図から明らかなように、電極幅が40μm以下ではと電極面積が減少し、放電電流が減少するために輝度が減少し、逆に電極幅が70μm以上では電極面積の増加により開口率が減少するために輝度が減少する。このため実施の形態18では、電極幅が50〜80μmの範囲において輝度が極大となる。一方の発光効率は、当図においては各点と原点を結ぶ曲線の傾きで表されるため、電極幅は細い方が良いことがわかる。これの実際の作製条件を鑑みて整理すると、電極幅はそれぞれ40≦W₁≦70（μm）、10≦W₂≦40（μm）が好ましい。
【０１２９】
また、本実施の形態18においては、一例として画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、隔壁間隔を画素ピッチPの3分の1、電極長L＝0.37mm、W_f＝220μmとしたが、本願発明はこれに限定するものではなく、0.9mm≦P≦1.4mm、0.05mm≦L＜0.4mm、0.08mm≦W_f≦0.4の範囲であっても同様の効果が得られる。
＜実施の形態19＞
図32a、図32bに本実施の形態19にかかる表示電極の上面図をそれぞれ示す。図32aは台形型突出部、図32bは三角形型突出部をそれぞれ有する表示電極22、23の構成を示している。これらの実施の形態19と実施の形態17との主な違いは、主放電ギャップGから遠ざかるに従って、突出部幅Ｗ₂、Ｗ₃の幅をこの順に細くした点にある。
【０１３０】
このような構成によっても、実施の形態17とほぼ同様の効果が奏されるほか、以下の効果も得られる。
すなわち、PDP駆動時において、幅広の突出部幅Ｗ₂を有する突出部222部分で十分量の静電容量を確保することで、主放電ギャップG付近で円滑に放電を開始したのち、放電プラズマが放電電極（ここでは表示電極）の外側へ成長する性質を利用して、突出部幅Ｗ₃を細くしても良好な放電規模が得られる。この細い突出部幅Ｗ₃によって、放電プラズマを蛍光体が塗布された隔壁30付近にまで導かれ、プラズマ密度の低下が抑制される。これにより従来より放電に必要とされていた静電容量が少なくてすみ、PDPの消費電力が低減できる。
【０１３１】
ここで図33は、本実施の形態3による構成のPDPにおける、W₁＝W₂としたときの電極面積と輝度の関係を示している。この図から明らかなように、電極幅が50μm以下では電極面積が減少して放電電流が減少するために輝度が減少する。また、電極幅が120μm以上では電極面積が増加して開口率が減少するために輝度が減少する。このバランスを取るため、本実施の形態19では、電極幅が80〜120μmの範囲において輝度が極大となる。一方、発光効率は、各点と原点を結ぶ直線の傾きで表されるため、電極幅は細い方が良い。このため、電極幅はそれぞれ50≦W₁≦100（μm）、10≦W₂≦50（μm）が好ましい。また、Ｗ₃については10≦W₃≦40（μm）の範囲が望ましい。
【０１３２】
＜実施の形態20＞
図34a、図34bに本実施の形態20にかかる表示電極の上面図をそれぞれ示す。図34a、図34bに示すように、本実施の形態20の表示電極22、23は、ともにライン部221、231と、y方向を長手とする帯状の内側突出部222、232とを備えている。セル内において、1つの表示電極22（23）には、2つの内側突出部222（232）を形成している。ここでは、電極幅の関係をW₂≦W₁としており、上記実施の形態17と同様の効果を図っている。
【０１３３】
さらに本実施の形態20の特徴として、図34aに示す例では、2つの内側突出部222（232）の間のライン部221（231）幅Ｗ₃が太くなっており、当該ライン部221（231）の電気抵抗値を低下させつつ、PDP駆動時における初期化発光を前記ライン部221（231）で遮蔽することによって、コントラスト比を向上できるようになっている。
【０１３４】
また図34bに示す例では、表示電極22、23に外側突出部223、233を形成している。これにより、PDP駆動時にライン部221、231より外側にまで放電規模を確保することができるようになっている。
図35は、本実施の形態20のPDPにおける、W₁＝W₂としたときの電極面積と輝度の関係を示している。この図から明らかなように、電極幅が40μm以下では電極面積が減少し、放電電流が減少するためにパネル輝度が低下する。逆に、電極幅が70μm以上では電極面積の増加によりセル開口率が減少し、パネル輝度が低下する。このバランスを取るため、本実施の形態20では、電極幅が40〜70μmの範囲において輝度が極大となるので望ましい。一方、発光効率は当図において、各点と原点を結ぶ直線の傾きで表されるため、電極幅は細い方が良い。このため、電極幅としては、それぞれ40≦W₁≦70（μm）、10≦W₂≦70（μm）が好ましい。
【０１３５】
続いて図36に、本実施の形態20におけるセルの輝度分布の試算結果を示す。輝度分布は、電極を分割し、分割された各部分の電極面積に比例して輝度の分布の積分値を分配し、それぞれの分布の重ねあわせをセル内部の輝度分布とし、セル開口部から可視光が取り出されるものとして試算を行った。
当図から明らかなように、プラズマ生成部分（放電開始部分）がセルの中心部（主放電ギャップG付近）に有り、セルの外側へ向かってプラズマが成長するため、セルの中心部分の輝度が高い。このため、帯状の内側突出部222、232を有する本実施の形態20では、プラズマ生成部分と成長部分の中央に沿ってセル開口部が確保されているため、良好なパネル輝度と発光効率が獲得されるようになっている。
【０１３６】
ここで、表10に実施の形態17と実施の形態20のPDPのパネル輝度と発光効率の比較を示す。
【０１３７】
【表１０】

【０１３８】
当表から明らかなように、実施の形態20のPDPは、高輝度で優れたPDPを実現することができる。これは内側突出部222、232と外側突出部223、233を組み合わせて表示電極22、23を構成したためであると考えられる。
なお本実施の形態20においては、一例として画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、隔壁間隔を画素ピッチPの3分の1、電極長L＝0.37mm、内側突出部の合計幅W_f＝220μmとしたが、本願発明はこれに限定するものではなく、0.9mm≦P≦1.4mm、0.05mm≦L＜0.4mm、0.08mm≦W_f≦0.4の範囲であっても同様の効果が得られる。
【０１３９】
＜実施の形態21＞
図37a、図37bに、本実施の形態21の表示電極の上面図を示す。実施の形態17との違いは、内側突出部222、232の形状を中空の三角形状または中空の砲弾状とし、互いに対向する内側突出部222、232の頂点がずれるように、表示電極22、23の形状パターンをセル中心点に対して点対称に配置したことである。このように内側突出部222、232の頂点がずれるように配置すると、特にセルサイズが小さい場合に比較的大きな表示電極を形成することができる。また、放電プラズマの移動距離（拡大規模）が長くなる（大きくなる）ため、より多くの蛍光体表面を励起することが可能となり、パネル輝度の向上が期待できるといった利点がある。
【０１４０】
このような構成によっても実施の形態17とほぼ同様の効果が奏されるほか、以下の効果も期待できる。
図38は、本実施の形態21のPDPにおける、W₁＝W₂としたときの表示電極の面積とパネル輝度の関係を示している。この図から明らかなように、電極幅が50μm以下では電極面積が減少し、放電電流が減少するために輝度が減少し、逆に電極幅が80μm以上では電極面積の増加により開口率が減少するために輝度が減少する。このため、図6の電極パターンにおいては、電極幅が50〜80μmの範囲において輝度が極大となる。一方、発光効率は、各点と原点を結ぶ直線の傾きで表されるため、電極幅は細い方が良い。このため、電極幅はそれぞれ50≦W₁≦80（μm）、10≦W₂≦50（μm）が好ましい。
【０１４１】
次に、表11に実施形態17と実施の形態21のパネル輝度および発光効率の比較を示す。
【０１４２】
【表１１】

【０１４３】
この表から明らかなように、本実施の形態21のPDPは、実施の形態17のPDP以上に優れた発光効率と高輝度を有していることがわかる。
なお実施の形態21においては、一例として画素ピッチP＝1.08mm、隔壁間隔を画素ピッチPの3分の1、電極長L＝0.37mm、W_f＝220μmとしたが、本願発明はこれに限定するものではなく、0.9mm≦P≦1.4mm、0.05mm≦L＜0.4mm、0.08mm≦W_f≦0.4の範囲であっても同様の効果が得られる。
【０１４４】
＜実施の形態22＞
22-1.表示電極の構成
図39a、図39bに本実施の形態22による表示電極の上面図を示す。本実施の形態22では、当図が示すように、まずサステイン電極23がライン部と突出部232a、232bで構成されており、これによってy方向上下に向かい、菱形（図39a）または変形六角形（図39b）の突出部が設けられている。そして、これら突出部232a、232bと対向するように、ライン部22a、22bで構成されるスキャン電極22が配設されている。このような構成により、本実施の形態22では、セル内に主放電ギャップが2箇所設けられている。当図において、ライン部22a、22b、231の幅Ｗ₁は、突出部232a、232bの幅Ｗ₂よりも細く形成されており、ライン部22a、22b、231での静電容量の低減が図られている。
【０１４５】
このような構成によれば、実施の形態17とほぼ同様の効果が得られるほか、以下の効果も奏される。
表12に実施形態17と実施の形態22における表示電極とパネル輝度等の性能比較データを示す。
【０１４６】
【表１２】

【０１４７】
当表から明らかなように、実施の形態17に比べて実施の形態22ではパネル輝度および発光効率が高いことがわかる。維持放電はPDP駆動時において、主放電ギャップG付近から開始され、この主放電ギャップG付近の発光輝度が最も高いことが知られている。このため、主放電ギャップGを2箇所有する本実施の形態22では、優れたパネル輝度を発揮することができたものと考えられる。
【０１４８】
なお本実施の形態17においては、スキャン電極22のライン部22a、22bでサステイン電極23を挟む構成を示したが、これとは逆に、サステイン電極23をライン部23a、23bとして構成し、これにスキャン電極22を挟んで配設するようにしてもよい。
＜実施の形態23＞
図40a、図40bに本実施の形態23における表示電極の上面図を示す。実施の形態22との違いは、セル内にサステイン電極23を挟んでスキャン電極22のライン部22a、22bを設け、当該ライン部22a、22bからサステイン電極23に対向して中空台形状（図40a）あるいは中空三角状（図40b）の突出部222a、232aを設けることによって、セル内に2箇所の主放電ギャップGを確保している点である。
【０１４９】
このような構成は、以下の理由によりなされたものである。
すなわち、近年になって本願発明者らは、AC型PDPにおけるセル内の放電が発生する際のプラズマの成長過程を、Xe発光の時間空間分解測定等によって詳細に検討してきた。そして、同一プレート面上に形成された一対の表示電極22、23においては、放電にかかるプラズマは主放電ギャップGに面した陽極側の表示電極の側端部より発生し、陰極側の表示電極の側端部へ向かってグローが成長し、当該放電がセル内全体に広がることを見いだした。また、これとほぼ同時に、前記陽極側の表示電極上にも発光個所が生じ、その発光位置は、放電が持続している期間中において、ほぼ不変であることを観察した。
【０１５０】
本実施の形態23はこの性質を利用したものであり、維持放電を開始する2つの主放電ギャップGをセル内の中央部分に位置し、この2つの主放電ギャップGで生じた十分な輝度の放電が徐々に突出部222a、232aに沿ってライン部221a、231aにまで広がるようにしている。
このような構成によっても実施の形態17とほぼ同様の効果が得られるほか、以下の効果も奏される。
【０１５１】
表13に、実施の形態17、22、23の各PDPにおける表示性能比較（パネル輝度及び発光効率の比較）を示す。
【０１５２】
【表１３】

【０１５３】
当表から明らかなように、他の実施の形態17および22に比べ、上記効果によって、本実施の形態23のパネル輝度および発光効率が最も優れているのが分かる。
なお本実施の形態23においては、実施の形態22と同様に、表示電極パターンをそのままにしてスキャン電極22とサステイン電極23とを入れ換えた構造としてもよい。
【０１５４】
＜実施の形態24＞
図41a、41bに、本実施の形態24の表示電極の上面図を示す。本実施の形態24の特徴は、表示電極22、23が、ライン部221、231と、y方向を長手方向とする帯状ライン状突出部（図41a）または、鉤状突出部（図41b）とで構成されていることである。これらの例では、図41aでは突出部222と232の最短距離が主放電ギャップGとなり、図41bでは突出部232の先端（突出部222）と突出部232（突出部222の先端）の最短距離がこれに相当する。
【０１５５】
このような構成によっても、実施の形態17と同様の効果が得られるほか、以下の効果も奏される。
すなわち、従来は、主放電ギャップGを大きく確保することによって発光効率を向上させる場合があるが、このためには一般に高い放電開始電圧が必要となる。この対策として、セル内の放電ガス圧を低下させるか、放電ガス中のXe濃度を低下させて放電開始電圧の抑制する方法があるが、これによればパネル輝度が低下してしまうため、発光効率が優れなくなる問題があった。
【０１５６】
これに対し、本実施の形態24aおよび24bでは、一対の表示電極22、23が形成する主放電ギャップGの領域（本実施の形態24aおよび24bでは突出部222、232のy方向に沿った側面）を広く確保することによって、ギャップ値が小さくても良好な発光効率が得られるようになっている。
次の表14に実施の形態17と実施の形態24aおよび24bによるPDPの性能比較データを示す。
【０１５７】
【表１４】

【０１５８】
当表から明らかなように、実施の形態24aおよび24bでは、パネル輝度および発光効率のいずれも優れた性能を有していることが分かる。これは、y方向に沿って長い突出部222、232に十分な静電量が確保され、良好な放電規模と発光効率が確保されたためであると考えられる。
【０１５９】
【発明の効果】
以上のことから明らかなように、本発明は、対向して設けられた一対の基板間に、放電ガスが封入された複数のセルがマトリクス状に配され、前記一対の基板のうち、第一の基板の第二の基板に対向する面上に、主放電ギャップを介して配されたサステイン電極およびスキャン電極を一対としてなる複数の表示電極が、複数のセルにまたがる状態で配設されたガス放電パネルにおいて、前記サステイン電極および前記スキャン電極は、それぞれ前記マトリクスの行方向に延伸された複数本のライン部から構成されており、一対のサステイン電極およびスキャン電極で最も隣接するライン部同士の間隙を主放電ギャップ、サステイン電極およびスキャン電極を構成する各ライン部同士の間隙をライン部ギャップとするとき、前記主放電ギャップと前記ライン部ギャップは、主放電ギャップがライン部ギャップより大きくなるように、且つ、駆動時において、前記表示電極の放電電流波形のピークが単一になるように設定されているので、消費電力を低減しながら、単一の放電電流ピーク波形を確保することによって、優れた発光効率の獲得と高速駆動が可能となっている。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】実施の形態1の表示電極の上面図である。
【図２】駆動電圧波形と放電電流波形の時間変化の関係を示す波形図である。
【図３】点灯電圧（駆動電圧）と、主放電ギャップGと電極間隔S（＝S1＝S2）の差S−Gの関係により表された放電電流ピーク回数の関係を示すグラフである。
【図４】実施の形態2にかかる表示電極パターンの上面図である。
【図５】実施の形態2のPDPにおける主放電ギャップG、第1電極ギャップS1、第2電極ギャップS2と放電電流ピーク数の関係を示すグラフである。
【図６】実施の形態3にかかる表示電極の上面図である。
【図７】実施の形態3のPDPにおける、主放電ギャップG、平均電極間隔Saｖe、各電極間隔差△Sと放電電流ピーク数の関係を示すグラフである。
【図８】実施の形態2および3の性能比較図である。
【図９】実施の形態4にかかる表示電極の上面図である。
【図１０】実施の形態4のPDPにおける放電発光波形の一例を示すグラフである。
【図１１】実施の形態5にかかる表示電極の上面図である。
【図１２】実施の形態5による構成のPDPにおける、主放電ギャップGに対する第1電極ギャップS1比（S1/G）と、電極ギャップ比率（α=Sn+1/Sn）にかかる放電電流ピーク回数の関係を示すグラフである。
【図１３】実施の形態6にかかる表示電極の上面図である。
【図１４】実施の形態6のPDPにおける、駆動電圧波形と放電電流波形の時間変化の関係を示すグラフである。
【図１５】実施の形態8の表示電極の上面図を示す図である。
【図１６】実施の形態6および7のPDPにおける電力−輝度曲線を示すグラフである。
【図１７】実施の形態8の表示電極の上面図を示す図である。
【図１８】実施の形態8のPDPにおいて、L4を変化させた場合の黒比率と明所コントラストの関係を示すグラフである。
【図１９】実施の形態9の表示電極の上面図を示す図である。
【図２０】実施の形態10のPDPの隔壁30に沿った部分断面図を示す図である。
【図２１】実施の形態11の表示電極の上面図を示す図である。
【図２２】実施の形態11のPDPにおける、駆動電圧波形と放電電流波形の時間変化を示すグラフである。
【図２３】実施の形態12の表示電極の上面図を示す図である。
【図２４】実施の形態13の表示電極の上面図を示す図である。
【図２５】実施の形態14の表示電極の上面図を示す図である。
【図２６】実施の形態15の表示電極の上面図を示す図である。
【図２７】実施の形態16の表示電極の上面図を示す図である。
【図２８】実施の形態17の表示電極の上面図を示す図である。
【図２９】実施の形態17のPDPにおける、W1＝W2としたときの表示電極の面積と輝度の関係を示すグラフである。
【図３０】実施の形態18による表示電極の上面図を示す図である。
【図３１】実施の形態18のPDPにおける、W1＝W2としたときの電極面積と輝度の関係を示すグラフである。
【図３２】実施の形態19の表示電極の上面図を示す図である。
【図３３】実施の形態19のPDPにおける、W1＝W2としたときの電極面積と輝度の関係を示すグラフである。
【図３４】実施の形態20の表示電極の上面図を示す図である。
【図３５】実施の形態20のPDPにおける、W1＝W2としたときの電極面積と輝度の関係を示すグラフである。
【図３６】実施の形態20におけるセルの輝度分布の試算結果を示すグラフである。
【図３７】実施の形態21の表示電極の上面図を示す図である。
【図３８】実施の形態21のPDPにおける、W1＝W2としたときの表示電極の面積とパネル輝度の関係を示すグラフである。
【図３９】実施の形態22の表示電極の上面図を示す図である。
【図４０】実施の形態23の表示電極の上面図を示す図である。
【図４１】実施の形態24の表示電極の上面図を示す図である。
【図４２】一般的な交流面放電型PDPの主要構成を示す部分的な断面斜視図である。
【図４３】 PDPの複数対の表示電極22、23（N行）と複数のアドレス電極28（M行）が形成するマトリックスを示すグラフである。
【図４４】従来のPDPを用いた画像表示装置のブロック概念図である。
【図４５】 PDPの各電極（スキャン電極、サステイン電極、アドレス電極）にそれぞれ印加する駆動波形の一例を示す。
【図４６】従来の交流駆動型PDPにおいて、各色256階調を表現する場合のサブフィールドの分割方法を示す図である。
【符号の説明】
22 表示電極（スキャン電極）
22a〜22d、23a〜23d、221、231 ライン部
22sb、22sbg、22sbr、22sbb、23sb、23sbg、23sbr、23sbb、22sb1〜22sb3、23sb1〜23sb3 ショートバー
23 表示電極（サステイン電極）
28 アドレス電極
30 隔壁
34 補助隔壁
222、232、222a、222b、232a、232b 内側突出部
223、233 外側突出部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gas discharge panel such as a plasma display panel.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A plasma display panel (PDP) is a kind of plasma display device, and is attracting attention as a next-generation display panel because it is relatively easy to enlarge a screen even at a small depth. Currently, the 60-inch class is also commercialized.
[0003]
FIG. 42 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing the main configuration of a general AC surface discharge type PDP. In the figure, the z direction corresponds to the thickness direction of the PDP, and the xy plane corresponds to a plane parallel to the panel surface of the PDP. As shown in the figure, the present PDP 1 includes a front panel 20 and a back panel 26 that are disposed with their main surfaces facing each other.
The front panel glass 21 serving as the substrate of the front panel 20 includes a plurality of pairs of two display electrodes 22 and 23 (scan electrodes 22 and sustain electrodes 23) that form a pair on one main surface thereof along the x direction. Surface discharge is performed between the pair of display electrodes 22 and 23, respectively. As an example, the display electrodes 22 and 23 are made of glass mixed with Ag.
[0004]
Each of the scan electrodes 22 is electrically fed independently. Further, all the sustain electrodes 23 are electrically connected to the same potential.
The main surface of the front panel glass 21 on which the display electrodes 22 and 23 are disposed is sequentially coated with a dielectric layer 24 and a protective layer 25 made of an insulating material.
On the back panel glass 27 serving as the substrate of the back panel 26, a plurality of address electrodes 28 are arranged in parallel on the main surface on one side in stripes at regular intervals with the y direction as the longitudinal direction. The address electrode 28 is made of a mixture of Ag and glass.
[0005]
The main surface of the back panel glass 27 on which the address electrodes 28 are disposed is coated with a dielectric layer 29 made of an insulating material. On the dielectric layer 29, a partition wall 30 is disposed in accordance with the gap between two adjacent address electrodes. Then, on each side wall of the adjacent two partition walls 30 and the surface of the dielectric layer 29 between them, the phosphor layer 31 corresponding to any one of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors. ~ 33 are formed.
[0006]
The front panel 20 and the back panel 26 having such a configuration are opposed so that the longitudinal directions of the address electrodes 28 and the display electrodes 22 and 23 are orthogonal to each other.
The front panel 20 and the back panel 26 are sealed at their peripheral portions by a sealing member such as frit glass, and the insides of both the panels 20 and 26 are sealed.
In the figure, for the sake of explanation, the number of display electrodes 22, 23 and address electrodes 28 is shown by a solid line, which is smaller than the actual number.
[0007]
Inside the front panel 20 and the back panel 26 thus sealed, a discharge gas (filled gas) containing Xe is sealed at a predetermined pressure (usually about 40 kPa to 66.5 kPa conventionally).
Thereby, a space partitioned by the dielectric layer 24, the phosphor layers 31 to 33, and the two adjacent barrier ribs 30 between the front panel 20 and the back panel 26 becomes a discharge space 38. An area where a pair of adjacent display electrodes 22 and 23 and one address electrode 28 intersect with each other across the discharge space 38 is a cell (not shown) for image display. Here, FIG. 43 shows a matrix formed by a plurality of pairs of display electrodes 22 and 23 (N rows) and a plurality of address electrodes 28 (M rows) of the PDP.
[0008]
In PDP driving, discharge is started between the address electrode 28 and one of the display electrodes 22 and 23 in each cell, and short-wave ultraviolet light (Xe resonance line, wavelength approximately 147 nm) is generated, and the phosphor layers 31 to 33 emit light upon receiving the ultraviolet rays. As a result, an image is displayed.
Next, a specific driving method of the conventional PDP will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0009]
FIG. 44 shows a block conceptual diagram of a conventional image display device (PDP display device) using a PDP, and FIG. 45 shows an example of drive waveforms applied to each electrode of the panel.
As shown in FIG. 44, the PDP display device incorporates a frame memory 10, an output processing circuit 11, an address electrode drive device 12, a sustain electrode drive device 13, a scan electrode drive device 14 and the like for driving the PDP. Has been. The electrodes 22, 23, 28 are connected to the scan electrode driving device 14, the sustain electrode driving device 13, and the address electrode driving device 12, respectively, in this order. These 12, 13, and 14 are connected to the output processing circuit 11. When the PDP is driven, image information is temporarily stored in the frame memory 10 from the outside, and is introduced from the frame memory 10 to the output processing circuit 11 based on the timing information. Thereafter, the output processing circuit 11 is driven based on the image information and the timing information, and instructs the address electrode driving device 12, the sustain electrode driving device 13, and the scan electrode driving device 14, and applies a pulse voltage to each of the electrodes 22, 23, and 28. To display on the screen.
[0010]
When driving the PDP, in FIG. 45, first, an initialization pulse is applied to the scan electrode 22 to initialize the wall charges in the cells of the panel. Next, a scan pulse is applied to the scan electrode 22 at the top in the y direction (the top of the display), and a write pulse is applied to the sustain electrode 23 to perform a write discharge. As a result, wall charges are accumulated on the surface of the dielectric layer 24 of the cell corresponding to the scan electrode 22 and the sustain electrode 23.
[0011]
Thereafter, in the same manner as described above, a scan pulse and a write pulse are applied to the second and subsequent scan electrodes 22 and the sustain electrode 23 following the uppermost layer, respectively, and wall charges are applied to the surface of the dielectric layer 24 corresponding to each cell. accumulate. This is performed for the display electrodes 22 and 23 on the entire display surface, and a latent image for one screen is written.
Next, the sustain discharge is performed by grounding the address electrode 28 and alternately applying a sustain pulse to the scan electrode 22 and the sustain electrode 23. In a cell in which wall charges are accumulated on the surface of the dielectric layer 24, a discharge is generated when the electric potential of the surface of the dielectric 24 exceeds the discharge start voltage, and a write pulse is applied during a period in which a sustain pulse is applied (sustain period). The sustain discharge of the display cell selected by is performed. Thereafter, by applying a narrow erase pulse, an incomplete discharge occurs, the wall charge disappears, and the screen is erased.
[0012]
When displaying a TV image, the image is composed of 60 fields per second in the NTSC system. Originally, the plasma display panel can express only two gradations of lighting or extinguishing, so in order to display intermediate colors, the lighting time of each color of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) is time-divided, A method is used in which one field is divided into several subfields and intermediate colors are expressed by combinations thereof.
[0013]
Here, FIG. 46 is a diagram showing a subfield dividing method in the case of expressing 256 gradations of each color in a conventional AC-driven plasma display panel. Here, the ratio of the number of sustain pulses applied within the discharge sustain period of each subfield is binary weighted as 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, and this 8-bit combination is used. 265 gradations are expressed.
[0014]
As described above, in the conventional PDP driving method, display is performed by a series of sequences of an initialization period, a writing period, a sustain period, and an erasing period.
[0015]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the present day when an electric product that suppresses power consumption as much as possible is desired, the PDP is expected to reduce the power consumption during driving. In particular, due to the recent trend toward larger screens and higher definition, the power consumption of the developed PDP tends to increase, so there is an increasing demand for technologies that realize power saving. For this reason, it is desired to reduce the power consumption of the PDP.
[0016]
However, simply by taking measures to reduce the power consumption of the PDP, the discharge scale generated between the plurality of pairs of display electrodes is reduced, and a sufficient amount of light emission cannot be obtained. It is necessary to obtain good display performance (that is, to obtain good luminous efficiency). If the light emission amount is insufficient, the display performance of the PDP deteriorates. Therefore, it is difficult to say that measures such as simply reducing the power consumption of the PDP are effective measures for improving the light emission efficiency.
[0017]
  In addition, in order to improve the luminous efficiency, for example, studies have been made to improve the conversion efficiency when phosphors convert ultraviolet light into visible light, but at the present stage no significant improvement has been seen, There is room for research.
  As described above, in a gas discharge panel such as a PDP, it is considered that it is very difficult to appropriately secure luminous efficiency at present.
  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a gas discharge panel having excellent display performance and having excellent luminous efficiency.
[0018]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, a plurality of cells in which a discharge gas is sealed are arranged in a matrix between a pair of substrates provided to face each other. A gas discharge in which a plurality of display electrodes, which are a pair of a sustain electrode and a scan electrode arranged via a main discharge gap, are arranged on a surface of a substrate facing a second substrate so as to span a plurality of cells. In the panel, the sustain electrode and the scan electrode are each formed from a plurality of line portions extending in the row direction of the matrix.The main discharge gap is defined as the gap between adjacent line portions of the pair of sustain electrodes and scan electrodes, and the gap between the line portions constituting the sustain electrode and scan electrode is defined as the line portion gap. The discharge gap and the line part gap are such that the main discharge gap is larger than the line part gap.In addition, at the time of driving, the peak of the discharge current waveform of the display electrode is set to be single.
[0019]
More specifically, it is desirable to form three or more line portions in at least one of the scan electrode and the sustain electrode in the cell. In addition, it is preferable that the pitch of the line portion gap becomes narrower as the distance from the main discharge gap increases.
According to such a configuration, since the discharge current waveform is set to have a single peak, the discharge light emission in one driving pulse is completed within 1 μs. In addition, since the time from when the drive pulse rises until the discharge current reaches the maximum value (that is, the discharge delay time) is as short as about 0.2 μs, high-speed driving in about several μs is possible.
[0020]
Further, in addition to the above effects, the display electrodes 22 and 23 are formed in a line pattern, so that the electrostatic capacity required for the discharge is smaller than that of the conventional strip-shaped display electrode. Here, generally, when a pair of display electrodes are formed in a line pattern, the discharge is separated, and the discharge current waveform tends to exhibit a plurality of peaks, and the discharge start voltage increases. However, in the present invention, since the discharge current waveform has a single peak as described above, it can be driven at a relatively low voltage, and the power consumption can be reduced compared to the conventional case. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a good light emission efficiency (drive efficiency).
[0021]
Therefore, the gas discharge panel of the present invention has a single discharge current while reducing the power consumption by using the display electrodes 22 and 23 as shape patterns (line portions 22a to 22c and 23a to 23c) having a smaller area than the conventional display electrodes. By securing the peak waveform, it is possible to obtain excellent luminous efficiency and drive at high speed.
Furthermore, in the present invention, in order to obtain a single discharge current peak satisfactorily, the pitch of the line part gap may be narrowed geometrically or differentially.
[0022]
Further, in actually manufacturing the present invention, the cell size along the column direction of the matrix is in the range of 480 μm to 1400 μm, the average value of all the line part gaps in the cell is S, the value of the main discharge gap Is set so that the relational expression of G-60 μm ≦ S ≦ G + 20 μm is satisfied.
Furthermore, the width of the line portion farthest from the main discharge gap may be wider than the width of other line portions or the average width of all the line portions.
[0023]
Further, the width of the line portion may increase as the distance from the main discharge increases.
Here, in either the sustain electrode or the scan electrode composed of n line portions, the cell size along the column direction of the matrix is P, and the width of the line portion farthest from the main discharge gap is L._n, L is the average value of all lines_aveWhen the relational expression L_ave≦ L_n≦ {0.35P- (L₁+ L₂+ …… L_n-1)} Is preferably set so that each line width is satisfied.
[0024]
Further, it is desirable that the resistance value R of the line portion farthest from the main discharge gap is a value in a range of 0.1Ω ≦ R ≦ 80Ω.
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The overall configuration of the PDP in the embodiment of the present invention is almost the same as that of the conventional example described above, and the feature of the present invention is mainly the display electrode and its peripheral structure. Therefore, the following description will focus on the display electrode. To do.
<Embodiment 1>
1-1. Configuration of display electrode
FIG. 1 is a top view (schematic diagram) of a display electrode pattern according to the first embodiment.
[0026]
As shown in the figure, the feature of the first embodiment is that a pair of display electrodes 22 and 23 (scan electrode 22 and sustain electrode 23) are each three thin in a cell corresponding to two adjacent partition walls 30. That is, the line portions 22a to 22c and 23a to 23c are divided and arranged. As an example, here the pixel pitch (y-direction cell size) P = 1.08mm, main discharge gap G = 80μm, line width L₁~ L_Three= 40μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 80μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 80 μm. The display electrodes 22 and 23 are made of a metal material (Ag or Cr / Cu / Cr or the like).
[0027]
Since one pixel is composed of three cells corresponding to RGB three colors, the x-direction width (x-direction cell size) of the cell with respect to the pixel pitch P is P / 3.
Such a pattern of the display electrode is an example in which the discharge current waveform peak at the time of driving the PDP is made to be single and excellent luminous efficiency is obtained.
1-3. Effects of the embodiment
At the time of discharging in the PDP, there are generally a plurality of waveform peaks of the discharge current when having a plurality of line shapes. The state of discharge due to an arbitrary discharge current peak is very susceptible to the influence of the discharge generated at the previous discharge current peak (priming effect due to residual ions, metastable particles, etc.). Specifically, in a certain discharge state, the rise time of the drive pulse varies due to the preceding discharge, and the light emission luminance and light emission efficiency vary due to the influence of voltage drop or the like. Therefore, if there are a plurality of peaks in the discharge current waveform, gradation control tends to become unstable. Such a thing can become a big obstacle in performing full color moving image display well, such as a television receiver.
[0028]
On the other hand, in the first embodiment, since the discharge current peak is single, stable sustain discharge can be performed, so that gradation control by pulse modulation can be stably performed.
Here, FIG. 2 shows temporal changes in the drive voltage waveform and the discharge current waveform in the PDP having the configuration according to the first embodiment. As is apparent from this figure, in the first embodiment, since the discharge current waveform has a single peak, discharge light emission in one drive pulse is completed within 1 μs. In addition, since the time from when the drive pulse rises until the discharge current reaches the maximum value (that is, the discharge delay time) is as short as about 0.2 μs, high-speed driving in about several μs is possible. Here, in Embodiment 1, the peak of the discharge light emission waveform appears as a single peak due to the single peak of the discharge current waveform. From this figure, it can be said that, in the present invention, the half-value width Thw of the discharge emission waveform having a single peak is preferably in the range of 50 ns ≦ Thw ≦ 700 μs.
[0029]
FIG. 3 shows the lighting voltage, the main discharge gap G, and the electrode spacing S (= S) when driven by the conventional driving waveform (see FIG. 47) in the PDP configured according to the first embodiment.₁= S₂) Difference S−G and the relationship between the number of discharge current peaks. As is clear from this graph, the electrode gap S₁, S₂If (in the figure, S) is less than or equal to the main discharge gap G (that is, the range where SG takes a negative value), the discharge current waveform can be set to a single peak, and the PDP can be driven at high speed. .
[0030]
Furthermore, in the first embodiment, since the display electrodes 22 and 23 are configured in a line pattern, the capacitance required for discharge is smaller than that of the conventional strip-shaped display electrode. For this reason, power consumption can be suppressed and good light emission efficiency (drive efficiency) can be obtained.
As described above, the PDP according to the first embodiment uses the display electrodes 22 and 23 as the shape patterns (line portions 22a to 22c and 23a to 23c) having a smaller area than the conventional display electrodes, while reducing the power consumption. By securing the discharge current peak waveform, it is possible to realize a PDP capable of obtaining excellent luminous efficiency and high-speed driving.
[0031]
In the present invention, the definition of “the discharge current waveform is a single peak” means that even if there is a peak other than the apparent maximum peak in the discharge current waveform, it is a high peak of 10% or less of the maximum peak. If that is the case.
Here, in the first embodiment, the pixel pitch P is 0.5 mm ≦ P ≦ 1.4 mm, the main discharge gap G is 60 μm ≦ G ≦ 140 μm, and the electrode width L₁~ L_Three10μm ≦ L₁, L₂, L_Three≦ 60μm, 1st and 2nd electrode gap S₁, S₂50μm ≦ S₁, S₂It has been found that the same effect as described above can be obtained by setting each range of ≦ 140 μm.
[0032]
The cell size (pixel pitch P) is suitably set to 480 μm to 1400 μm in order to apply the present invention.
Further, in the present invention, when the average value of the electrode gaps of all the line portions in the cell is S and the value of the main discharge gap is G, the relational expression of G-60 μm ≦ S ≦ G + 20 μm is established. I know it's okay.
[0033]
Further, the pitch between two adjacent partition walls is not limited to P / 3, and may be set to a value other than this. For example, the brightness balance of each color can be improved by setting the pitch ratios of the partition walls of R, G, and B cells in this order, such as P / 3: P / 3.75: P / 2.5. Is possible.
1-2. Manufacturing method of plasma display panel
Next, an example of the method for manufacturing the PDP according to the first embodiment will be described. Note that the manufacturing method described here is almost the same as that in the following embodiments.
[0034]
1-2-1. Preparation of front panel
Display electrodes are produced on the surface of a front panel glass made of soda-lime glass having a thickness of about 2.6 mm. Here, an example (thick film formation method) in which a display electrode is formed using a metal electrode using a metal material (Ag) is shown.
First, a photosensitive paste is prepared by mixing a photosensitive resin (photodegradable resin) with metal (Ag) powder and an organic vehicle. This is applied on one main surface of the front panel glass and covered with a mask having a pattern of display electrodes to be formed. And it exposes from the said mask and develops and bakes (baking temperature of about 590-600 degreeC). As a result, it is possible to reduce the line width to about 30 μm as compared with the screen printing method in which the line width of 100 μm is conventionally limited. In addition, as this metal material, Pt, Au, Ag, Al, Ni, Cr, tin oxide, indium oxide, or the like can be used.
[0035]
In addition to the above method, the electrode may be formed by performing an etching process after forming an electrode material by vapor deposition or sputtering.
Next, a protective layer having a thickness of about 0.3 to 0.6 μm is formed on the surface of the dielectric layer by vapor deposition or CVD (chemical vapor deposition). Magnesium oxide (MgO) is suitable for the protective layer.
[0036]
This completes the front panel.
1-2-2. Fabrication of back panel
On the surface of the back panel glass made of soda lime glass with a thickness of about 2.6 mm, a conductive material mainly composed of Ag is applied in stripes at regular intervals by screen printing, and address electrodes with a thickness of about 5 μm are formed. Form. Here, in order to make a PDP to be manufactured, for example, a 40-inch class NTSC or VGA, the interval between two adjacent address electrodes is set to about 0.4 mm or less.
[0037]
Subsequently, a lead-based glass paste is applied over the entire surface of the back panel glass on which the address electrodes are formed to a thickness of about 20 to 30 μm and baked to form a dielectric film.
Next, using the same lead-based glass material as the dielectric film, a partition wall having a height of about 60 to 100 μm is formed between the adjacent address electrodes on the dielectric film. This partition can be formed, for example, by repeatedly screen-printing a paste containing the glass material and then firing it.
[0038]
Once the barrier ribs have been formed, the wall surface of the barrier ribs and the surface of the dielectric film exposed between the barrier ribs include any of red (R) phosphor, green (G) phosphor, and blue (B) phosphor. A fluorescent ink is applied, and this is dried and fired to form phosphor layers.
Examples of phosphor materials generally used for PDP are listed below.
Red phosphor; (Y_xGd_1-x) BO: Eu³⁺
Green phosphor; Zn₂SiO_Four: Mn³⁺
Blue phosphor; BaMgAl_TenO₁₇:EU³⁺(Or BaMgAl₁₄O_{twenty three}:EU³⁺)
As each phosphor material, for example, a powder having an average particle size of about 3 μm can be used. Several methods of applying the phosphor ink are conceivable. Here, a method of discharging the phosphor ink while forming a meniscus (crosslinking by surface tension) from a very fine nozzle called a known meniscus method is used. This method is convenient for uniformly applying the phosphor ink to the target area. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this method, and other methods such as a screen printing method can be used.
[0039]
This completes the back panel.
Although the front panel glass and the back panel glass are made of soda lime glass, this is given as an example of the material, and other materials may be used.
1-2-3.PDP completion
The produced front panel and back panel are bonded together using sealing glass. After that, high vacuum (1.1 × 10^-FourEvacuate to about Pa, and to this a predetermined pressure (here 2.7 x 10)^FivePa) is filled with discharge gas such as Ne-Xe, He-Ne-Xe, and He-Ne-Xe-Ar.
[0040]
<Embodiment 2>
FIG. 4 shows a top view of the display electrode according to the second embodiment. The feature of the second embodiment is that the first and second discharge gaps S are formed while the display electrodes 22 and 23 are constituted by the line portions 22a to 22c and 23a to 23c.₁, S₂Is narrowed away from the main discharge gap G. As an example, the dimensions of each part of the discharge cell are as follows: pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁~ L_Three= 40μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 90μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 70 μm.
[0041]
According to such a configuration, substantially the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained when the PDP is driven, and the following effect can be obtained.
FIG. 5 shows the main discharge gap G and the first electrode gap S in the PDP of the second embodiment.₁, Second electrode gap S₂And the number of discharge current peaks. As is clear from this graph, S₁, S₂Is 10 μm wider than G, but S₂Is S₁In a narrower case, since the discharge peak is single without being separated, gradation control by pulse modulation can be stably performed, and high-speed driving is possible. First electrode gap S₁The expansion of the discharge at S₁Since the position is close to the main discharge gap G where discharge occurs, the transition is relatively smooth.
[0042]
Here, in the second embodiment, the dimensions of each part of the discharge cell are as follows: pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁~ L_Three= 40μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 90μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 70 μm, but the present invention is not limited to this, 0.5 mm ≦ P ≦ 1.4 mm, 60 μm ≦ G ≦ 140 μm, 10 μm ≦ L₁, L₂, L_Three≦ 60μm, 50μm ≦ S₁≦ 150μm, 40μm ≦ S₂It has been found that the same effect can be obtained even in the range of ≦ 140 μm.
[0043]
<Embodiment 3>
FIG. 6 shows a top view of the display electrode according to the third embodiment. In the second embodiment, S₁, S₂In the third embodiment, the display electrodes 22 and 23 are configured by four line portions 22a to 22d and 23a to 23d, respectively, and away from the main discharge gap G. According to each display electrode gap S₁~ S_ThreeIs narrowed in an arithmetic series in this order. Here, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁~ L_Four= 40μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 90μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 70μm, 3rd electrode gap S_Three= 50 μm each.
[0044]
With such a configuration, substantially the same effects as those of the first embodiment are exhibited, and the following characteristics are also exhibited.
FIG. 7 shows the main discharge gap G and the average electrode spacing S in the PDP of the third embodiment._aveThe relationship between each electrode interval difference ΔS and the number of discharge current peaks is shown. As is apparent from this graph, the first electrode gap S₁Is about 10 μm wider than the main discharge gap G, but the average electrode spacing S_aveIs narrower than the main discharge gap G, and each display electrode gap difference is 10 μm or more, the discharge peak is single and high-speed driving is possible.
[0045]
FIG. 8a shows an example of the power-luminance characteristic in each of the configuration of the second embodiment (three line portions) and the configuration of the third embodiment (four line portions), and FIG. 8b shows an example of the sustain voltage-power characteristics. Respectively. The display lighting area in these graphs is about 4000 pixels, and the slope of the graph in FIG. 8a indicates the degree of efficiency. In FIG. 8a, the power-luminance curve of the third embodiment substantially overlaps the power-luminance curve of the electrode structure of the second embodiment, and the performance of the PDP of the third embodiment is the same as that of the PDP of the second embodiment. You can see that it is on the extension line.
[0046]
In FIG. 8b, it can be seen that, under the same applied voltage conditions, the four-line display electrode structure has more input power than the three-line display electrode structure.
For this reason, if the same power is supplied to the PDPs of the second embodiment and the third embodiment, substantially the same luminance can be obtained during driving. In the third embodiment, however, the driving voltage is As long as it is relatively low, it can be expected to reduce the power loss and the burden on the circuit as a whole including the gas discharge panel and the panel driving device.
[0047]
In the third embodiment, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁~ L_Four= 40μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 90μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 70μm, 3rd electrode gap S_Three= 50 μm, but the present invention is not limited to this, 0.5 mm ≦ P ≦ 1.4 mm, 70 μm ≦ G ≦ 120 μm, 10 μm ≦ L₁, L₂, L_Three, L_Four≦ 60μm, 80μm ≦ S₁≦ 130μm, 70μm ≦ S₂≦ 120μm, 60μm ≦ S_ThreeIt has been found that the same effect can be obtained even in the range of ≦ 110 μm.
[0048]
<Embodiment 4>
FIG. 9 is a front view of the display electrode according to the fourth embodiment. The feature of the fourth embodiment is that each of the display electrodes 22 and 23 is composed of four line portions 22a to 22d and 23a to 23d, and of these, the line portions 22c, 22d from the line portions 22a, 22b, 23a, 23b. , 23c, 23d are widened, and as the distance from the main discharge gap G increases, each electrode gap S₁~ S_ThreeAre characterized in that they are narrowed geometrically in this order. Here, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁, L₂= 30 μm, L_Three, L_Four= 40μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 90μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 60μm, 3rd electrode gap S_Three= 40 μm.
[0049]
With such a configuration, substantially the same effects as those of the first embodiment are exhibited, and the following characteristics are also exhibited.
FIG. 10 shows an example of the discharge light emission waveform in the PDP of the fourth embodiment. This data is measured with a digital oscilloscope at the same time as the drive voltage waveform, with only one cell of the PDP displayed and lit, an avalanche photodiode connected to the optical fiber, and only one cell of light taken into it. The emission peak waveform in this figure is obtained by averaging 1000 times on a digital oscilloscope to obtain the average value.
[0050]
As is clear from this figure, in the PDP of the fourth embodiment, since the discharge emission waveform has a single peak, the discharge emission in the drive pulse is completed within a short period (400 ns), and the half of the peak The value range is as steep as about 200ns. Further, it can be seen that the time from when the drive pulse rises until the light emission waveform reaches the maximum value (discharge delay time) is as short as about 100 to 200 ns, and therefore high-speed driving at about 1.25 μs is possible. This is S₁~ S_ThreeSince the electric field strength in the vicinity of the line portions 22d and 23d increases and the discharge is terminated quickly, the discharge formation delay and statistical delay are reduced, and the half width of the discharge emission peak and the discharge are reduced. This is thought to be due to a decrease in delay variation.
[0051]
In general, in the PDP, it is known that when the discharge probability of the address discharge at the time of selecting the discharge cell in the writing period is lowered, the image quality is lowered such as flickering of the screen and roughening. When the discharge probability of this address discharge is less than 99.9%, the feeling of roughness of the screen increases, and when it is less than 99%, the screen is flickered. For this reason, it is necessary to suppress the write failure during address discharge to at least 0.1% or less. In order to achieve this, the average time of discharge delay must be about 1/3 or less of the write pulse width.
[0052]
If the resolution of the PDP is about NTSC or VGA, the number of scanning lines is about 500, so the write pulse width can be driven with about 2 to 3 μs, but it corresponds to SXGA or full-spec high-vision. For this purpose, the number of scanning lines is 1080, and the write pulse width must be driven at about 1 to 1.3 μs. For this reason, in the electrode structure in which the discharge light emission occurs a plurality of times, it is difficult to cope with high definition because the time until the discharge ends is long.
[0053]
In contrast, in the PDP using the electrode structure according to the fourth embodiment, a single discharge is completed quickly and the discharge delay is very short, so that high-speed driving is possible and high definition is easy.
In the fourth embodiment, an electrode structure in which each sustain electrode is composed of four line-shaped display electrodes is used. However, a display having a larger number of line portions (for example, five line portions) is used. It has been found that the same effect can be obtained as an electrode.
[0054]
In the fourth embodiment, the pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, the main discharge gap G = 80 μm, the electrode width L₁, L₂= 30 μm, L_Three, L_Four= 40μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 90μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 60μm, 3rd electrode gap S_Three= 40 μm, but the present invention is not limited to this, 0.5 mm ≦ P ≦ 1.4 mm, 70 μm ≦ G ≦ 120 μm, 10 μm ≦ L₁, L₂≦ 50μm, 20μm ≦ L_Three, L_Four≦ 60μm, 80μm ≦ S₁≦ 130μm, 70μm ≦ S₂≦ 120μm, 30μm ≦ S_ThreeIt has been found that the same effect can be obtained even in the range of ≦ 110 μm.
[0055]
In this way the line width L₁~ L_FourWhen adjusting the width L of the line part farthest from the main discharge gap G._nWhen setting, the average value of all line parts is set to L_aveWhen the relational expression L_ave≦ L_n≦ {0.35P- (L₁+ L₂+ …… L_n-1)} Has been found to be desirable.
L₁And L₂About 0.5L_ave≦ L₁And L₂≦ L_aveExperiments have shown that it is desirable to set each of the following relational expressions.
[0056]
The electrode width L₁~ L_FourEven if the same width is set, the effect of the present embodiment can be obtained.
Further, here, the display electrodes are constituted by the four line portions 22a to 22d and 23a to 23d, but five or more line portions may be formed.
<Embodiment 5>
FIG. 11 is a top view of the display electrode according to the fifth embodiment. The feature of the fifth embodiment is that the display electrodes 22 and 23 are each composed of four line portions 22a to 22d and 23a to 23d having the same width, and the electrode gap S₁~ S_ThreeIs narrowed geometrically as the distance from the main discharge gap G increases. Here, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁~ L_Four= 40μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 120μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 90μm, 3rd electrode gap S_Three= 67.5μm respectively.
[0057]
With such a configuration, substantially the same effects as those of the first embodiment are exhibited, and the following characteristics are also exhibited.
FIG. 12 shows the first electrode gap S relative to the main discharge gap G in the PDP configured according to the fifth embodiment.₁Ratio (S₁/ G) and electrode gap ratio (α = S_{n + 1}/ S_n) Shows the relationship between the number of discharge current peaks. As is apparent from this graph, the first electrode gap S₁Is about 1.5 times wider than the main discharge gap G (ie, S₁/ G is about 1.5), electrode gap ratio (α = S_{n + 1}/ S_n) Is 0.8 or less, the discharge peak is single and high-speed driving is possible.
[0058]
On the other hand, by using the electrode structure according to the fifth embodiment, stable sustain discharge can be performed without separation of the discharge current peak, so that gradation control by pulse modulation can be stably performed.
Here, in the fifth embodiment, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁~ L_Four= 40μm, 1st electrode gap P₁= 120 μm, second electrode gap P₂= 90μm, 3rd electrode gap P_ThreeHowever, the present invention is not limited to this, and 0.5 mm ≦ P ≦ 1.4 mm, 60 μm ≦ G ≦ 140 μm, 10 μm ≦ L₁, L₂, L_Three, L_Four≦ 60μm, 50μm ≦ P₁≦ 150μm, 40μm ≦ P₂≦ 140μm, 30μm ≦ P_ThreeIt has been found that the same effect can be obtained even in the range of ≦ 130 μm.
[0059]
<Embodiment 6>
FIG. 13 is a top view of the display electrode according to the sixth embodiment. The feature of the sixth embodiment is that each of the pair of display electrodes 22 and 23 includes four line portions 22a to 22d and 23a to 23d. Of these, the line portions 22d and 23d are widened, and each electrode gap S₁~ S_ThreeIs set to the same value. Here, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁~ L_Three= 40 μm, L_Four= 80μm, electrode spacing S₁~ S_Three= 70 μm.
[0060]
With such a configuration, substantially the same effects as those of the first embodiment are exhibited, and the following characteristics are exhibited.
FIG. 14 shows temporal changes in the drive voltage waveform and the discharge current waveform in the PDP of the sixth embodiment. As is clear from this figure, in the sixth embodiment, since the discharge current waveform has a single peak, the discharge emission in one drive pulse is completed within 1 μs, and the discharge is started after the drive pulse rises. The time until the current reaches the maximum value, that is, the discharge delay time is as short as about 0.2 μs. Therefore, it can be seen that high-speed driving in about 2 to 3 μs is possible.
[0061]
The following Table 1 shows the width L of the line portions 22d and 23d in the PDP of the sixth embodiment._FourChange in line resistance when V is changed, minimum address voltage V_dminAnd the results when the number of peaks of the discharge current waveform are measured.
[0062]
[Table 1]

[0063]
From Table 1, in Embodiment 6, while ensuring a single peak of the discharge current, L_FourThus, it can be said that the line resistance value is decreased by increasing the address, and the address applied voltage value necessary for the address operation in the writing period can be reduced.
Here, in the sixth embodiment, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁~ L_Three= 40 μm, L_Four= 80μm, electrode spacing S₁~ S_Three= 70μm, but 0.5mm ≦ P ≦ 1.4mm, 60μm ≦ G ≦ 140μm, 10μm ≦ L₁, L₂, L_Three≤60μm, L₁≦ L_Four≦ 3L₁It is known that the same effect can be obtained even in the range of 50 μm ≦ S ≦ 140 μm.
[0064]
<Embodiment 7>
FIG. 15 shows a top view of the display electrode pattern of the seventh embodiment. The feature of the seventh embodiment is that each of the pair of display electrodes 22 and 23 is composed of four line portions 22a to 22d and 23a to 23d. Gap S₁~ S_ThreeIs set to become smaller as the distance from the main discharge gap G increases. As an example, here the pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, the main discharge gap G = 80 μm, the electrode width L₁, L₂= 30 μm, L_Three, L_Four= 40μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 90μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 70μm, 3rd electrode gap S_Three= 50 μm.
[0065]
With such a configuration, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained, and the following effects can also be achieved.
FIG. 16 shows power-luminance curves in the PDPs of Embodiments 6 and 7. In general, in the PDP, the input power and the panel luminance are in a proportional relationship, but the power-luminance curve indicating this relationship tends to be saturated. For this reason, the light emission efficiency deteriorates as the input power increases.
[0066]
However, as shown in FIG. 16, in the seventh embodiment, high luminance is realized even under the same power condition as in the sixth embodiment, and excellent luminous efficiency is achieved.
In Embodiment 7, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁~ L_Three= 40μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 90μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 70 μm, but the present invention is not limited to this, 0.5 mm ≦ P ≦ 1.4 mm, 60 μm ≦ G ≦ 140 μm, 10 μm ≦ L₁, L₂≦ 60μm, 20μm ≦ L_Three, L_Four≦ 70μm, 50μm ≦ S₁≦ 150μm, 40μm ≦ S₂≦ 140μm, 30μm ≦ S_ThreeIt has been found that the same effect can be obtained even in the range of ≦ 130 μm.
[0067]
<Embodiment 8>
FIG. 17 shows a top view of the display electrode of the eighth embodiment. In the eighth embodiment, each of the pair of display electrodes 22 and 23 is configured by four line portions 22a to 22d and 23a to 23d, among which the line portions 22c, 22d, 23c, and 23d are widened, and each electrode gap S₁~ S_ThreeIs set smaller as the distance from the main discharge gap G increases. A black layer (not shown) containing a black material such as ruthenium oxide is provided between the display electrodes 22 and 23 and the front panel glass 21 in accordance with the shape pattern of the display electrodes 22 and 23. , Increasing the visibility of the display.
[0068]
Here, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁, L₂= 35μm, L_Three= 45 μm, L_Four= 85μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 90μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 70μm, 3rd electrode gap S_Three= 50 μm each.
With such a configuration, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained, and the following effects can also be achieved.
[0069]
FIG. 18 shows the LDP in the PDP of the eighth embodiment._FourThe relationship between the black ratio and the bright place contrast when changing is shown. The bright contrast in the figure was obtained by measuring the luminance ratio between white display and black display under a vertical illuminance of 70 Lx and a horizontal illuminance of 150 Lx with respect to the display surface of the PDP.
In general, in the PDP, since the phosphor layer, the partition walls, and the like are white, the external light reflection on the panel display surface side is large, and the contrast ratio in a bright place is about 20 to 50: 1. In contrast, in the eighth embodiment, L_FourIt is possible to achieve a very high ratio of bright place contrast of about 70: 1 by synergizing the effect of the black layer while obtaining a sufficient discharge scale by increasing.
[0070]
L_FourIncreasing the black value and the black ratio further increases the bright contrast, but if the black ratio is increased too much, the cell aperture ratio decreases and the brightness decreases (the brightness decreases by about 10% when the black ratio is 50%). To do). For this reason, it is considered that the black ratio is desirably about 60% at the maximum.
In the third embodiment, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁, L₂= 35μm, L_Three= 45 μm, L_Four= 85μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 90μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 70μm, 3rd electrode gap S_Three= 50 μm, but the present invention is not limited to this, 0.5 mm ≦ P ≦ 1.4 mm, 60 μm ≦ G ≦ 140 μm, 10 μm ≦ L₁, L₂≦ 60μm, 20μm ≦ L_Three≦ 70μm, 20μm ≦ L_Four≦ {0.3P− (L₁+ L₂+ L_Three)} Μm, 50μm ≦ S₁≦ 150μm, 40μm ≦ S₂≦ 140μm, 30μm ≦ S_ThreeIt has been found that the same effect can be obtained even in the range of ≦ 130 μm.
[0071]
Moreover, you may use the black material containing metal oxides, such as nickel, chromium, and iron, for the material of the said black layer.
<Embodiment 9>
9-1. Configuration of display electrode
FIG. 19 shows a top view of the display electrode of the ninth embodiment. In the ninth embodiment, each of the pair of display electrodes 22 and 23 includes four line portions 22a to 22d and 23a to 23d. Of these, the line portions 22d and 23d are widened, and each electrode gap S₁~ S_ThreeAre set narrowly in this order. Further, as the greatest feature of the ninth embodiment, the short bars 22Sb1 to 22Sb3 and 23Sb1 to 23Sb3 that electrically connect the line portions 22a to 22d and 23a to 23d are randomly arranged. Here, the short bars 22Sb1 to 22Sb3 and 23Sb1 to 23Sb3 have a belt-like shape with the y direction as the longitudinal direction, but may have other shapes.
[0072]
In the ninth embodiment, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁, L₂= 35μm, L_Three= 45 μm, L_Four= 85μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 90μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 70μm, 3rd electrode gap S_Three= 50μm, short bar line width W_sb= 40 μm.
9-2. Effects of Embodiment 9
In the PDP of the ninth embodiment having the above configuration, substantially the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the following effects are also exhibited.
[0073]
Table 2 shows performance measurement data (presence / absence of short bars, interval and disconnection occurrence rate (times / line), line resistance value, and disconnection repairability) according to the PDP of the ninth embodiment. Here L_FourThe performance was measured when V was changed from 50 μm to 85 μm. In addition, the “repairability” referred to here indicates a difficulty level that can repair the broken line portions 22d and 23d (in the table, it indicates that the difficulty level increases in the order of ○, Δ, and ×). Is.
[0074]
[Table 2]

[0075]
As is clear from Table 2, the PDP with the short bar has a lower line resistance value than the PDP without the short bar, and the occurrence probability of disconnection is reduced from 15% to 0.4%, which is very effective. I understand that. In the fourth embodiment, a short bar is provided between the electrodes, and the positions thereof are randomly arranged, so that the probability of occurrence of disconnection is reduced and good display performance with reduced moire can be expected.
[0076]
In Embodiment 9, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁, L₂= 35μm, L_Three= 45 μm, L_Four= 85μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 90μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 70μm, 3rd electrode gap S_Three= 50μm, 0.5mm ≦ P ≦ 1.4mm, 60μm ≦ G ≦ 140μm, 10μm ≦ L₁, L₂≦ 60μm, 20μm ≦ L_Three≦ 70μm, 40μm ≦ L_Four≦ {0.3P− (L₁+ L₂+ L_Three)} Μm, 50μm ≦ S₁≦ 150μm, 40μm ≦ S₂≦ 140μm, 30μm ≦ S_Three≦ 130μm, 10μm ≦ W_sbIt has been found that the same effect can be obtained even in the range of ≦ 80 μm.
<Embodiment 10>
FIG. 20 shows a partial cross-sectional view along the partition wall 30 of the PDP of the tenth embodiment (in FIG. 20, the rear side of the discharge space 38 is the partition wall 30). The display electrode pattern of the tenth embodiment is the same as that of the ninth embodiment, but as shown in the figure, on the side opposite to the main discharge gap G side of the line portions 22d and 23d, in the longitudinal direction of the line portion. Along with this, an auxiliary partition wall (second partition wall) 34 is provided. The auxiliary partition 34 is disposed so as to separate the pair of display electrodes 22 and 23 and to form a matrix orthogonal to the partition (first partition) 30.
[0077]
In the tenth embodiment, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁, L₂= 35μm, L_Three= 45 μm, L_Four= 85μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 90μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 70μm, 3rd electrode gap S_Three= 50μm, short bar line width W_sb= 40μm, partition wall height H = 110μm, auxiliary partition wall height h = 60μm, auxiliary partition wall top width W_alt= 60μm, auxiliary partition wall bottom width W_alb= 100 μm.
[0078]
According to such a configuration, in addition to the effects of the ninth embodiment, the following effects are also achieved.
In Table 3, in the PDP of the tenth embodiment, when Ipg (distance between adjacent line portions 22d and 23d between two cells adjacent in the y direction) is changed from 60 μm to 360 μm, and the auxiliary partition wall Each data regarding the presence or absence and the presence or absence of erroneous discharge due to crosstalk is shown.
[0079]
[Table 3]

[0080]
As is apparent from Table 3, in the absence of the auxiliary partition wall 34, when Ipg is about 300 μm or less, erroneous discharge due to crosstalk is likely to occur. This causes a feeling of flickering and flickering on the display screen when driving the PDP. On the other hand, in the tenth embodiment, it can be seen that even if Ipg is as small as about 120 μm by the auxiliary partition wall 34, no false discharge such as crosstalk occurs and good display performance can be obtained. This is because priming particles such as charged particles generated by the plasma applied to the discharge and resonance lines in the vacuum ultraviolet region are prevented from diffusing from the discharge cell periphery to the adjacent cells by the auxiliary barrier ribs 34.
[0081]
Here, if the height h (see FIG. 20) of the auxiliary barrier ribs 34 is increased, the effect of suppressing the crosstalk increases. However, if the height h is increased to the same level as the height H of the barrier ribs 30, the discharge space 38 is satisfactorily improved during the manufacturing process. It becomes impossible to deaerate the inside and inject the discharge gas. Therefore, it is desirable that the height h of the auxiliary partition wall 34 is 10 μm or more lower than the height H of the partition wall 30. Specifically, a range of 50 μm or more and 120 μm or less is desirable.
[0082]
Furthermore, the top width W of the auxiliary partition wall 34_altAnd bottom width W_albFor example, if the width is too large, the discharge scale is reduced. Specifically, a width of 30 μm to 300 μm is particularly desirable.
In Embodiment 10, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁, L₂= 35μm, L_Three= 45 μm, L_Four= 85μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 90μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 70μm, 3rd electrode gap S_Three= 50μm, 0.5mm ≦ P ≦ 1.4mm, 60μm ≦ G ≦ 140μm, 10μm ≦ L₁, L₂≦ 60μm, 20μm ≦ L_Three≦ 70μm, 20μm ≦ L_Four≦ {0.3P− (L₁+ L₂+ L_Three)} Μm, 50μm ≦ S₁≦ 150μm, 40μm ≦ S₂≦ 140μm, 30μm ≦ S_Three≦ 130μm, 10μm ≦ W_sb≦ 80μm, 50μm ≦ W_altIt has been found that the same effect can be obtained even in the range of ≦ 450 μm, 60 μm ≦ h ≦ H−10 μm.
[0083]
Further, the auxiliary partition wall 34 may be applied to other embodiments.
<Embodiment 11>
11-1. Composition of display electrode
FIG. 21 shows a top view of the display electrode of the eleventh embodiment. In the eleventh embodiment, each of the pair of display electrodes 22 and 23 is composed of four line portions 22a to 22d and 23a to 23d, among which the line portions 22d and 23d are widened, and the electrode gaps S1 to S3 are formed. It is constant. Further, as the greatest feature of the eleventh embodiment, the short bars 22Sbg and 23Sbg for electrically connecting the line portions 22a to 22d and 23a to 23d are arranged in the discharge cells (G cells) displaying green. It is characterized by. Here, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁~ L_Three= 40 μm, L_Four= 80μm, electrode spacing S (S₁~ S_Three) = 70μm, short bar line width W_sb= 40 μm.
[0084]
11-2. Effects of the eleventh embodiment
According to the above configuration, substantially the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained, and the following effect can also be achieved.
That is, FIG. 22 is a graph showing temporal changes in the drive voltage waveform and the discharge current waveform in the PDP of the eleventh embodiment. As is apparent from this figure, in the electrode structure having the configuration according to the eleventh embodiment, the discharge current waveform has a single peak, so that the discharge emission in one drive pulse is completed within 1 μs, and the drive pulse The time until the discharge current reaches its maximum value, that is, the discharge delay time is as short as about 0.2 μs, and high-speed driving in about 2 to 3 μs is possible.
[0085]
Next, Table 4 shows the minimum sustain voltage V of each R, G, B cell in the PDP of the eleventh embodiment._susminIt is the data which shows the short bar dependence.
[0086]
[Table 4]

[0087]
As is clear from this table, for PDPs with no short bar in the cell, the V of each R, G, B cell_susminIs different. Here, the minimum applied voltage across the panel is the V voltage of the G cell with the highest voltage value._susminSince it is set to above, V for each cell_susminIf they are different from each other, the lower limit of the drive margin increases, but the drive voltage setting margin becomes narrower.
[0088]
On the other hand, in the eleventh embodiment, by providing short bars 22Sbg and 23Sbg in the G cell, V_susminCan be reduced by about 10V. This allows V between R, G and B_susminThus, the drive voltage margin can be increased by lowering the set value of the applied voltage. This is because the area of the display electrodes 22 and 23 in this portion is increased by the short bar provided in the G cell, the amount of wall charges accumulated in the G cell is increased, and the discharge start voltage is reduced. It is considered a thing.
[0089]
In the first embodiment, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁~ L_Three= 40 μm, L_Four= 80μm, electrode spacing S₁~ S_Three= 70μm, short bar line width W_sb= 40μm, 0.5mm ≦ P ≦ 1.4mm, 60μm ≦ G ≦ 140μm, 10μm ≦ L₁, L₂, L_Three≤60μm, L₁≦ L_Four≦ 3L₁, 50μm ≦ S ≦ 140μm, 10μm ≦ W_sbIt has been found that the same effect can be obtained even in the range of ≦ 100 μm.
[0090]
<Embodiment 12>
FIG. 23 shows a top view of the display electrode of the twelfth embodiment. In the twelfth embodiment, each of the pair of display electrodes 22 and 23 includes four line portions 22a to 22d and 23a to 23d. Of these, the line portions 22d and 23d are widened, and each electrode gap S₁~ S_ThreeIs narrowed away from the main discharge gap G. Furthermore, the short bars 22Sbg, 22sbr, 23Sbg, 23sbr for electrically connecting the line portions 22a-22d, 23a-23d are arranged in a cell (G cell) for displaying green and a cell (R cell) for displaying red. It is arranged inside. Here, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁~ L_Three= 40 μm, L_Four= 80μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 90μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 70μm, 3rd electrode gap S_Three= 50μm, short bar line width W_sb= 40 μm.
[0091]
Such a configuration has the following effects in addition to the improvement of luminous efficiency.
That is, in a PDP having R, G, and B cells, since the Ts of the R, G, and B cells are generally different from each other, the discharge delay time during address discharge in the write period is also different. In particular, since the Ts of the R cell and the G cell are large, the probability of address discharge in these cells is slightly low, and there is a property that write defects are relatively likely to occur. This causes flickering or the like when the PDP is driven, causing a reduction in image quality.
[0092]
As a method for improving this, there is a method of increasing the write pulse voltage and decreasing Ts to improve the discharge probability at the time of writing. However, the power consumption of the data driver circuit increases and the power consumption increases. It will cause a big problem.
In contrast, the twelfth embodiment provides a solution to the above problem as well as improving the luminous efficiency. That is, a short bar is provided in the R cell and G cell, and the electrode area is partially increased in these cells to increase the capacitance, thereby shortening Ts. As a result, the discharge probability at the time of address discharge is improved by an order of magnitude compared to the conventional case, and image quality deterioration due to address failure such as flicker is improved. Also, lower address discharge voltage (V_dataHowever, since a good display performance can be obtained, the drive voltage margin can be expanded.
[0093]
Here, Table 5 shows the short bar dependence of the statistical delay time Ts of each of the R, G, and B cells in the PDP configured according to the second embodiment.
[0094]
[Table 5]

[0095]
As is apparent from Table 5, that is, in the PDP in which the short bar is not in the cell, the Ts of each of the R, G, and B cells is different from each other. On the other hand, the PDP using the electrode structure according to the second embodiment is excellent in that the statistical delay time is improved and the variation in the discharge probability is suppressed by arranging the short bar in the R cell and the G cell. It can be seen that the display performance PDP is feasible.
[0096]
In Embodiment 12, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁~ L_Three= 40 μm, L_Four= 80μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 90μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 70μm, 3rd electrode gap S_Three= 50μm, short bar line width W_{s b}= 40 μm, but the present invention is not limited to this, and 0.5 mm ≦ P ≦ 1.4 mm, 60 μm ≦ G ≦ 140 μm, 10 μm ≦ L₁, L₂, L_Three≤60μm, L₁≦ L_Four≦ 3L₁, 50 ≦ S₁≦ 150μm, 40μm ≦ S₂≦ 140μm, 30μm ≦ S_Three≦ 130μm, 10μm ≦ W_sbIt has been found that the same effect can be obtained even in the range of ≦ 100 μm.
[0097]
<Embodiment 13>
FIG. 24 shows a top view of the display electrode of the thirteenth embodiment. The difference from the twelfth embodiment is that the short bars 22sbb and 23sbb are arranged only in the cell displaying blue (B cell). Here, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁~ L_Three= 40 μm, L_Four= 80μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 90μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 70μm, 3rd electrode gap S_Three= 50μm, short bar line width W_sb= 40 μm.
[0098]
Such a configuration has the following effects in addition to the improvement of luminous efficiency.
In conventional PDPs, it is generally difficult to balance the brightness of each of the R, G, and B cells, and the color temperature of the panel is only about 5000 to 7000K. In order to improve the color temperature of this panel to about 11000K, for example, there is a method of taking white balance by reducing the brightness of the G cell and R cell during PDP drive and matching the brightness and chromaticity of the B cell. However, there is a big problem that the display brightness of the display is lowered.
[0099]
In contrast, the thirteenth embodiment is configured to improve the luminous efficiency and to cope with the above problem. That is, by providing the short bars 22sbb and 23sbb in the B cell, the electrode area in the B cell is increased and the relative luminance with respect to the G and R cells is improved. For this reason, the color temperature of the panel can be improved without impairing the display brightness of the display as in the prior art.
[0100]
Here, Table 3 shows the short bar dependence of the color temperature during white display in the PDP configured according to the third embodiment.
[0101]
[Table 6]

[0102]
As is apparent from this table, the PDP according to the thirteenth embodiment can realize a PDP with a very high color temperature of 9500 to 13000 K by the short bars 22sbb and 23sbb arranged in the B cell.
In Embodiment 13, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁~ L_Three= 40 μm, L_Four= 80μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 90μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 70μm, 3rd electrode gap S_Three= 50μm, short bar line width W_sbHowever, the present embodiment 13 is not limited to this, and 0.5 mm ≦ P ≦ 1.4 mm, 60 μm ≦ G ≦ 140 μm, 10 μm ≦ L₁, L₂, L_Three≤60μm, L₁≦ L_Four≦ 3L₁, 50 ≦ S₁≦ 150μm, 40μm ≦ S₂≦ 140μm, 30μm ≦ S_Three≦ 130μm, 10μm ≦ W_sbIt has been found that the same effect can be obtained even in the range of ≦ 100 μm.
[0103]
<Embodiment 14>
FIG. 25 shows a top view of the display electrode of the fourteenth embodiment. The difference from the twelfth embodiment is that the short bar 22sb is disposed only on the scan electrode 22. Here, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁~ L_Three= 40 μm, L_Four= 80μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 90μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 70μm, 3rd electrode gap S_Three= 50μm, short bar line width W_sb= 40 μm.
[0104]
Here, the short bar 22sb may be provided on any scan electrode 22 in each of the R, G, and B cells. In the fourteenth embodiment, a short bar 22sb is provided in every cell.
Such a configuration has the following effects in addition to the improvement of luminous efficiency.
[0105]
That is, in general, in the PDP, prior to a writing period in which a specific light emitting pixel is selected, an initializing discharge is performed at least once per field in order to make the wall charges of all the discharge cells in the panel uniform. There is a need. During this initialization, all the discharge cells in the panel emit light at the same time (initialization light emission), so even if black is displayed on the panel during driving, it is not accurately reproduced (that is, it is not in a completely non-lighted state). This was the cause of poor contrast ratio. For this reason, in the conventional PDP, for example, the contrast is about 500: 1.
[0106]
In contrast, in the PDP of the fourteenth embodiment, the area of the scan electrode 22 is increased by the short bar 22sb provided on the scan electrode 22, and the amount of wall charges accumulated in the scan electrode 22 is increased. As a result, the wall voltage increases and the discharge start voltage decreases, so the panel input power during initialization discharge decreases, and the contrast at this time is improved and excellent display performance can be exhibited. .
[0107]
Table 7 shows the initialization voltage (V) in the PDP configured according to the fourteenth embodiment._set) And the short bar dependence of contrast.
[0108]
[Table 7]

[0109]
As is clear from this table, in the PDP (Embodiment 14) in which the short bar is provided on the scan electrode, compared with the comparative example without the short bar, V_setIt can be seen that is decreasing. This also shows that the contrast has been improved by a factor of two.
In Embodiment 14, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁~ L_Three= 40 μm, L_Four= 80μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 90μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 70μm, 3rd electrode gap S_Three= 50μm, short bar line width W_sb= 40μm, 0.5mm ≦ P ≦ 1.4mm, 60μm ≦ G ≦ 140μm, 10μm ≦ L₁, L₂, L_Three≤60μm, L₁≦ L_Four≦ 3L₁, 50μm ≦ S₁≦ 150μm, 40μm ≦ S₂≦ 140μm, 30μm ≦ S_Three≦ 130μm, 10μm ≦ W_sbIt has been found that the same effect can be obtained even in the range of ≦ 100 μm.
[0110]
<Embodiment 15>
FIG. 26 shows a top view of the display electrode according to the fifteenth embodiment. The difference from the fourteenth embodiment is that the short bar 22sb is arranged at the center of the scan electrode 22 (between the line portions 22b and 22c). Here, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁~ L_Three= 40 μm, L_Four= 80μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 90μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 70μm, 3rd electrode gap S_Three= 50μm, short bar line width W_sb= 40 μm.
[0111]
Even in such a configuration, the same effects as in the fourteenth embodiment can be obtained, and the following effects can be obtained.
That is, by providing the short bar 22sb at the center of the scan electrode 22, a relatively wide electrode area can be secured while maintaining the cell aperture ratio in the vicinity of the main discharge gap G having the highest emission luminance distribution in the cell. Therefore, according to the fifteenth embodiment, better panel luminance is ensured than the display electrodes having a simple multi-line structure.
[0112]
Table 8 shows the data voltage (V) in the PDP configured according to the fifth embodiment._data) Shows short bar dependency.
[0113]
[Table 8]

[0114]
As is apparent from this table, in the cell provided with the short bar 22sb, the initialization voltage (V_set) Has been successfully reduced.
In general, a rising speed of about 200 to 400 V / μs is required for the pulse of the address discharge voltage during driving. Reactive power for address discharge W_LdIs
W_Ld＝ Cp ・ V_data ²・ F
(V_data: Address discharge voltage, Cp: Panel capacitance, f: Write frequency)
And is proportional to the square of the data voltage. In the fifteenth embodiment, the address discharge voltage can be reduced by about 20% compared to the conventional case, resulting in the reactive power W_LdCan be reduced to about 36% of the conventional level.
[0115]
In the fifteenth embodiment, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁~ L_Three= 40 μm, L_Four= 80μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 90μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 70μm, 3rd electrode gap S_Three= 50μm, short bar line width W_sb= 40 μm, but the present invention is not limited to this, and 0.5 mm ≦ P ≦ 1.4 mm, 60 μm ≦ G ≦ 140 μm, 10 μm ≦ L₁, L₂, L_Three≤60μm, L₁≦ L_Four≦ 3L₁, 50μm ≦ S₁≦ 150μm, 40μm ≦ S₂≦ 140μm, 30μm ≦ S_Three≦ 130μm, 10μm ≦ W_sbIt has been found that the same effect can be obtained even in the range of ≦ 100 μm.
[0116]
In the fifteenth embodiment, an example in which the short bar 22sb is provided at the center of the scan electrode 22 (between the line portions 22b and 22c) has been described. However, for example, it may be provided between the line portions 22c and 22d. .
<Embodiment 16>
FIG. 27 shows a top view of the display electrode of the sixteenth embodiment. The difference from the fifteenth embodiment is that the short bar 22sb is arranged only between the line portions 22a and 22b of the scan electrode 22. Here, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁~ L_Three= 40 μm, L_Four= 80μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 90μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 70μm, 3rd electrode gap S_Three= 50μm, short bar line width W_sb= 40 μm.
[0117]
Even in such a configuration, the same effects as in the fourteenth embodiment can be obtained, and the following effects can be obtained.
That is, in the sixteenth embodiment, by arranging the short bar 22sb between the line portions 22a and 22b, the wall charge amount or wall voltage near the main discharge gap G is increased, and V_set, V_dataAs a result, the initializing discharge and the address discharge are easily generated. Also, V_setAnd V_dataAs the drop in voltage decreases, the initialization failure or address failure is improved, so the drive margin increases and V_susCan also be reduced. For this reason, it is possible to satisfactorily suppress the power consumption of the panel.
[0118]
Here, Table 9 shows the VDP in the PDP of the sixteenth embodiment._set, V_sus, V_dataThe short bar dependency of is shown.
[0119]
[Table 9]

[0120]
As is clear from this table, the panel with the short bar on the main discharge gap side of the scan electrode compared to the panel with the electrode structure without the short bar,_set, V_sus, V_dataBoth have succeeded in reducing the drive voltage.
In Embodiment 16, the dimensions of each part of the discharge cell are as follows: pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, main discharge gap G = 80 μm, electrode width L₁~ L_Three= 40 μm, L_Four= 80μm, 1st electrode gap S₁= 90μm, 2nd electrode gap S₂= 70μm, 3rd electrode gap S_Three= 50μm, short bar line width W_sb= 40 μm, but the present invention is not limited to this, and 0.5 mm ≦ P ≦ 1.4 mm, 60 μm ≦ G ≦ 140 μm, 10 μm ≦ L₁, L₂, L_Three≤60μm, L₁≦ L_Four≦ 3L₁, 50μm ≦ S₁≦ 150μm, 40μm ≦ S₂≦ 140μm, 30μm ≦ S_Three≦ 130μm, 10μm ≦ W_sbIt has been found that the same effect can be obtained even in the range of ≦ 100 μm.
[0121]
In the sixteenth embodiment, the short bar 22sb is provided in each of the R, G, and B colors, and the area SbR, SbG, and SbB of the short bar corresponding to each of the R, G, and B cells is SbB ≦ SbR. ≤SbG, the wall charge of each of R and G cells will increase with respect to the wall charge of B cell, Ts during address discharge will decrease, and the difference in discharge delay between R, G, B and each cell will be This is desirable because an effect such as reduction can be obtained.
[0122]
<Embodiment 17>
17-1. Configuration of display electrode
FIG. 28 shows a top view of the display electrode of the seventeenth embodiment. The features of the seventeenth embodiment are greatly different from those of the first to sixteenth embodiments. That is, here, the display electrode 22 (23) is composed of a line portion 221 (231) and an inner protrusion 222 (232) provided on the main discharge gap G side while being electrically connected thereto. . The inner protrusions 222 and 232 have a hollow trapezoidal pattern with the upper bases facing each other in parallel. Here, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08mm, electrode length L = 0.37mm, W_f= 220 μm. Also, in order to reduce the line resistance of the display electrodes 22, 23, the line width W of the inner protrusion₂≦ Line width W₁It is said.
[0123]
Such a pattern of the display electrode is set so that the discharge current waveform peak at the time of PDP driving becomes a single and excellent luminous efficiency can be obtained.
17-2. Effects of the embodiment
Also with the above configuration, substantially the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. That is, at the start of discharge, discharge can be started with a small capacitance at the projections 222 and 232 that are relatively thin (small electrode area), and thereafter the discharge scale can be expanded to the gap between the line portions 221 and 231. . Thus, the discharge start voltage can be suppressed, and good power saving can be expected.
[0124]
In addition, since the discharge current waveform generated in the display electrodes 22 and 23 has a single peak, discharge light emission in one driving pulse is completed within 1 μs. In addition, the time from when the drive pulse rises until the discharge current reaches its maximum value (ie, discharge delay time) is as short as about 0.2 μs, so high-speed driving in about several μs is possible and high drawing performance. Can be expected.
[0125]
Here, FIG. 29 shows W in the PDP of the seventeenth embodiment.₁= W₂The relationship between the area of the display electrode and the luminance is shown. As is clear from this figure, when the electrode width is 40 μm or less, the area of the display electrode is reduced, and the discharge current is reduced, so that the luminance is reduced. On the contrary, when the electrode width is 80 μm or more, the display electrode area increases, and the aperture ratio decreases, so that the luminance decreases. For this reason, in the seventeenth embodiment, the panel luminance is maximized when the electrode width (the width of each of the line portion and the inner protruding portion) is in the range of 40 to 80 μm.
[0126]
On the other hand, the luminous efficiency is represented by a slope of a straight line connecting each point and the origin in FIG. According to this figure, it can be said that the thinner electrode width is better for the luminous efficiency. For this reason, when taking into account the actual manufacturing method, the electrode width is 40 ≦ W respectively.₁≦ 80 (μm), 10 ≦ W₂≦ 40 (μm) is preferable.
In the seventeenth embodiment, the dimensions of each part of the discharge cell are as follows: pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, partition wall spacing is one third of pixel pitch P, electrode length L = 0.37 mm, W_f= 220 μm, but the present invention is not limited to this, 0.9 mm ≦ P ≦ 1.4 mm, 0.05 mm ≦ L <0.4 mm, 0.08 mm ≦ W_fThe same effect can be obtained even in the range of ≦ 0.4.
[0127]
In addition, it is desirable to arrange the y-direction side portions of the protrusions 222 and 232 at a position close to the partition wall 30 because the discharge scale is increased by utilizing wall charges of the phosphor layers 31 to 33 near the partition wall 30. This may be applied to any of Embodiments 18 to 24 below.
<Embodiment 18>
FIG. 30 shows a top view of the display electrode according to the eighteenth embodiment. The difference from the seventeenth embodiment is that the protrusions 222 and 232 have a hollow rectangular pattern. At this time, the electrode line width is W for the same purpose as in the seventeenth embodiment.₂≦ W₁Is set.
[0128]
According to such a configuration, effects similar to those of the seventeenth embodiment can be obtained, and the following effects can be obtained.
FIG. 31 shows the WDP in the PDP according to the eighteenth embodiment.₁= W₂Is the relationship between the electrode area and the luminance. As is apparent from this figure, the electrode area decreases when the electrode width is 40 μm or less, and the luminance decreases because the discharge current decreases. Conversely, when the electrode width is 70 μm or more, the aperture ratio decreases due to the increase in the electrode area. The brightness is reduced. Therefore, in the eighteenth embodiment, the luminance is maximized when the electrode width is in the range of 50 to 80 μm. On the other hand, the light emission efficiency is represented by the slope of a curve connecting each point and the origin in the figure, and it can be seen that the narrower electrode width is better. When arranged in view of the actual production conditions, the electrode width is 40 ≦ W for each.₁≦ 70 (μm), 10 ≦ W₂≦ 40 (μm) is preferable.
[0129]
In Embodiment 18, for example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, partition wall spacing is one third of pixel pitch P, electrode length L = 0.37 mm, W_f= 220 μm, but the present invention is not limited to this, 0.9 mm ≦ P ≦ 1.4 mm, 0.05 mm ≦ L <0.4 mm, 0.08 mm ≦ W_fThe same effect can be obtained even in the range of ≦ 0.4.
<Embodiment 19>
32a and 32b show top views of the display electrode according to the nineteenth embodiment, respectively. FIG. 32a shows the configuration of the display electrodes 22 and 23 each having a trapezoidal protrusion, and FIG. 32b shows a triangular protrusion. The main difference between the nineteenth embodiment and the seventeenth embodiment is that the protrusion width W increases as the distance from the main discharge gap G increases.₂, W_ThreeThe width of is narrowed in this order.
[0130]
With such a configuration, substantially the same effects as those of the seventeenth embodiment are obtained, and the following effects are also obtained.
That is, when the PDP is driven, the wide protrusion width W₂By securing a sufficient amount of capacitance at the projecting portion 222 having a discharge, after the discharge starts smoothly in the vicinity of the main discharge gap G, the discharge plasma grows outside the discharge electrode (here, the display electrode) Using the protrusion width W_ThreeA good discharge scale can be obtained even if the thickness is reduced. This narrow protrusion width W_ThreeAs a result, the discharge plasma is guided to the vicinity of the partition wall 30 coated with the phosphor, and a decrease in plasma density is suppressed. As a result, less capacitance is required for discharging than before, and the power consumption of the PDP can be reduced.
[0131]
Here, FIG. 33 shows W in the PDP having the configuration according to the third embodiment.₁= W₂The relationship between the electrode area and the luminance is shown. As is apparent from this figure, when the electrode width is 50 μm or less, the electrode area is reduced and the discharge current is reduced, so that the luminance is reduced. On the other hand, when the electrode width is 120 μm or more, the electrode area increases and the aperture ratio decreases, so that the luminance decreases. In order to achieve this balance, in the nineteenth embodiment, the luminance is maximized when the electrode width is in the range of 80 to 120 μm. On the other hand, since the luminous efficiency is expressed by the slope of a straight line connecting each point and the origin, the thinner electrode width is better. For this reason, the electrode width is 50 ≦ W respectively.₁≦ 100 (μm), 10 ≦ W₂≦ 50 (μm) is preferable. W_ThreeFor 10 ≦ W_ThreeA range of ≦ 40 (μm) is desirable.
[0132]
<Embodiment 20>
34a and 34b are top views of the display electrode according to the twentieth embodiment, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 34a and 34b, the display electrodes 22 and 23 of the twentieth embodiment each include line portions 221 and 231 and strip-shaped inner protrusions 222 and 232 having a longitudinal direction in the y direction. . In the cell, two inner protrusions 222 (232) are formed on one display electrode 22 (23). Here, the relationship between the electrode widths is W₂≦ W₁The same effects as those of the seventeenth embodiment are achieved.
[0133]
Furthermore, as a feature of the twentieth embodiment, in the example shown in FIG. 34a, the line portion 221 (231) width W between the two inner protruding portions 222 (232)._ThreeThe contrast ratio can be improved by blocking initialization light emission at the time of PDP driving by the line part 221 (231) while reducing the electric resistance value of the line part 221 (231). It has become.
[0134]
In the example shown in FIG. 34b, the outer protrusions 223 and 233 are formed on the display electrodes 22 and 23, respectively. As a result, the discharge scale can be secured outside the line portions 221 and 231 when the PDP is driven.
FIG. 35 shows W in the PDP of the twentieth embodiment.₁= W₂The relationship between the electrode area and the luminance is shown. As is apparent from this figure, when the electrode width is 40 μm or less, the electrode area is reduced, and the discharge current is reduced, so that the panel luminance is lowered. On the other hand, when the electrode width is 70 μm or more, the cell aperture ratio decreases due to the increase of the electrode area, and the panel luminance decreases. In order to achieve this balance, the present embodiment 20 is desirable because the luminance becomes maximum in the range of the electrode width of 40 to 70 μm. On the other hand, since the luminous efficiency is represented by the slope of a straight line connecting each point and the origin in FIG. For this reason, the electrode width is 40 ≦ W respectively.₁≦ 70 (μm), 10 ≦ W₂≦ 70 (μm) is preferable.
[0135]
Next, FIG. 36 shows a trial calculation result of the luminance distribution of the cell in the present embodiment 20. The luminance distribution is obtained by dividing the electrode, distributing the integrated value of the luminance distribution in proportion to the electrode area of each divided part, and superposing each distribution as the luminance distribution inside the cell, and visible from the cell opening. A trial calculation was performed assuming that light was extracted.
As is clear from this figure, the plasma generation part (discharge start part) is in the center of the cell (near the main discharge gap G), and the plasma grows toward the outside of the cell. high. For this reason, in the present embodiment 20 having the strip-shaped inner protrusions 222 and 232, a cell opening is secured along the center of the plasma generation portion and the growth portion, so that good panel luminance and luminous efficiency are obtained. It has come to be.
[0136]
Here, Table 10 shows a comparison between the panel luminance and the light emission efficiency of the PDPs of Embodiments 17 and 20.
[0137]
[Table 10]

[0138]
As is apparent from this table, the PDP according to the twentieth embodiment can realize an excellent PDP with high luminance. This is presumably because the display electrodes 22 and 23 are configured by combining the inner protrusions 222 and 232 and the outer protrusions 223 and 233.
In Embodiment 20, as an example, the pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, the partition wall spacing is one third of the pixel pitch P, the electrode length L = 0.37 mm, and the total width W of the inner protrusions_f= 220 μm, but the present invention is not limited to this, 0.9 mm ≦ P ≦ 1.4 mm, 0.05 mm ≦ L <0.4 mm, 0.08 mm ≦ W_fThe same effect can be obtained even in the range of ≦ 0.4.
[0139]
<Embodiment 21>
FIG. 37a and FIG. 37b are top views of the display electrode of the present embodiment 21. FIG. The difference from the seventeenth embodiment is that the shape of the inner protrusions 222, 232 is a hollow triangular shape or a hollow bullet shape, and the display electrodes 22, 23 are arranged so that the apexes of the inner protrusions 222, 232 facing each other are shifted. Is arranged symmetrically with respect to the cell center point. If the inner protrusions 222 and 232 are arranged so that the vertices are shifted in this way, a relatively large display electrode can be formed particularly when the cell size is small. Moreover, since the moving distance (expansion scale) of the discharge plasma becomes longer (becomes larger), it is possible to excite more phosphor surfaces, and there is an advantage that an improvement in panel luminance can be expected.
[0140]
With such a configuration, substantially the same effects as those of the seventeenth embodiment can be obtained, and the following effects can be expected.
FIG. 38 shows the WDP in the PDP in Embodiment 21.₁= W₂The relationship between the area of the display electrode and the panel luminance is shown. As is apparent from this figure, the electrode area decreases when the electrode width is 50 μm or less, the luminance decreases because the discharge current decreases, and conversely, when the electrode width is 80 μm or more, the aperture ratio decreases due to the increase in the electrode area. Therefore, the brightness is reduced. For this reason, in the electrode pattern of FIG. 6, the luminance becomes maximum in the range of the electrode width of 50 to 80 μm. On the other hand, since the luminous efficiency is expressed by the slope of a straight line connecting each point and the origin, the thinner electrode width is better. For this reason, the electrode width is 50 ≦ W respectively.₁≦ 80 (μm), 10 ≦ W₂≦ 50 (μm) is preferable.
[0141]
Next, Table 11 shows a comparison of panel luminance and luminous efficiency between the seventeenth embodiment and the twenty-first embodiment.
[0142]
[Table 11]

[0143]
As can be seen from this table, the PDP of the twenty-first embodiment has light emission efficiency and high brightness superior to those of the PDP of the seventeenth embodiment.
In Embodiment 21, as an example, pixel pitch P = 1.08 mm, partition wall spacing is one third of pixel pitch P, electrode length L = 0.37 mm, W_f= 220 μm, but the present invention is not limited to this, 0.9 mm ≦ P ≦ 1.4 mm, 0.05 mm ≦ L <0.4 mm, 0.08 mm ≦ W_fThe same effect can be obtained even in the range of ≦ 0.4.
[0144]
<Embodiment 22>
22-1.Configuration of display electrode
39a and 39b are top views of display electrodes according to the twenty-second embodiment. In the twenty-second embodiment, as shown in the drawing, first, the sustain electrode 23 is composed of a line portion and projecting portions 232a and 232b. The protrusion of FIG. 39b is provided. A scan electrode 22 composed of line portions 22a and 22b is disposed so as to face the protruding portions 232a and 232b. With this configuration, in the twenty-second embodiment, two main discharge gaps are provided in the cell. In this figure, the width W of the line portions 22a, 22b, 231₁Is the width W of the protrusions 232a, 232b₂The capacitance of the line portions 22a, 22b, and 231 is reduced.
[0145]
According to such a configuration, substantially the same effects as those of Embodiment 17 can be obtained, and the following effects can also be achieved.
Table 12 shows performance comparison data such as display electrodes and panel luminance in the seventeenth and twenty-second embodiments.
[0146]
[Table 12]

[0147]
As is apparent from the table, the panel brightness and the light emission efficiency are higher in the twenty-second embodiment than in the seventeenth embodiment. It is known that the sustain discharge starts from the vicinity of the main discharge gap G when the PDP is driven, and the light emission luminance in the vicinity of the main discharge gap G is the highest. For this reason, it is considered that in the twenty-second embodiment having two main discharge gaps G, excellent panel luminance could be exhibited.
[0148]
In the seventeenth embodiment, the configuration in which the sustain electrode 23 is sandwiched between the line portions 22a and 22b of the scan electrode 22 is shown. On the contrary, the sustain electrode 23 is configured as the line portions 23a and 23b. Alternatively, the scanning electrode 22 may be interposed between the two.
<Embodiment 23>
40a and 40b are top views of the display electrode in the present 23rd embodiment. The difference from the embodiment 22 is that the line portions 22a and 22b of the scan electrode 22 are provided in the cell with the sustain electrode 23 sandwiched therebetween, and the hollow trapezoidal shape (see FIG. 40a) faces the sustain electrode 23 from the line portions 22a and 22b. ) Or hollow triangular (FIG. 40b) protrusions 222a and 232a, so that two main discharge gaps G are secured in the cell.
[0149]
Such a configuration is made for the following reason.
That is, in recent years, the inventors of the present application have examined in detail the plasma growth process in the AC type PDP when the discharge in the cell is generated by time-space-resolved measurement of Xe emission. In the pair of display electrodes 22 and 23 formed on the same plate surface, the plasma for discharge is generated from the side end of the anode-side display electrode facing the main discharge gap G, and the cathode-side display electrode It was found that the glow grew toward the side edge of the cell and the discharge spread throughout the cell. At almost the same time, it was observed that a light emission point was also generated on the anode side display electrode, and the light emission position was substantially unchanged during the period in which the discharge continued.
[0150]
The present embodiment 23 utilizes this property, and the two main discharge gaps G that start the sustain discharge are located in the central portion of the cell, and sufficient luminance generated by the two main discharge gaps G is obtained. The discharge gradually spreads to the line portions 221a and 231a along the protruding portions 222a and 232a.
With such a configuration, substantially the same effects as those of the seventeenth embodiment can be obtained, and the following effects can also be achieved.
[0151]
Table 13 shows a display performance comparison (comparison of panel luminance and light emission efficiency) in each PDP of Embodiments 17, 22, and 23.
[0152]
[Table 13]

[0153]
As is clear from this table, it can be seen that the panel brightness and the light emission efficiency of the present Embodiment 23 are the most excellent due to the above effects as compared with the other Embodiments 17 and 22.
In the twenty-third embodiment, as in the twenty-second embodiment, the structure may be such that the scan electrode 22 and the sustain electrode 23 are interchanged while the display electrode pattern is left as it is.
[0154]
<Embodiment 24>
41a and 41b show top views of the display electrode of the present embodiment 24. FIG. The feature of the twenty-fourth embodiment is that the display electrodes 22 and 23 are line portions 221 and 231 and a strip-like line-shaped protrusion (FIG. 41a) or a hook-shaped protrusion (FIG. 41b) whose longitudinal direction is the y direction. It is composed of. In these examples, the shortest distance between the projections 222 and 232 is the main discharge gap G in FIG. 41a, and the shortest distance between the tip of the projection 232 (projection 222) and the projection 232 (tip of the projection 222) in FIG. 41b. Corresponds to this.
[0155]
Even with this configuration, the same effects as those of the seventeenth embodiment can be obtained, and the following effects can also be achieved.
That is, conventionally, there is a case where the luminous efficiency is improved by ensuring a large main discharge gap G, but in general, a high discharge start voltage is required. As a countermeasure, there is a method of suppressing the discharge start voltage by reducing the discharge gas pressure in the cell or by reducing the Xe concentration in the discharge gas. There was a problem that efficiency was not excellent.
[0156]
On the other hand, in the embodiments 24a and 24b, the region of the main discharge gap G formed by the pair of display electrodes 22 and 23 (in the embodiments 24a and 24b, the side surfaces along the y direction of the protrusions 222 and 232). ) Is ensured widely, so that good luminous efficiency can be obtained even if the gap value is small.
Table 14 below shows PDP performance comparison data according to Embodiment 17 and Embodiments 24a and 24b.
[0157]
[Table 14]

[0158]
As can be seen from the table, in Embodiments 24a and 24b, both the panel luminance and the light emission efficiency have excellent performance. This is considered to be because a sufficient electrostatic amount is secured in the long protrusions 222 and 232 along the y direction, and a good discharge scale and luminous efficiency are secured.
[0159]
【The invention's effect】
  As is clear from the above, the present invention provides a plurality of cells filled with discharge gas arranged in a matrix between a pair of substrates provided opposite to each other. A gas in which a plurality of display electrodes each having a pair of a sustain electrode and a scan electrode arranged via a main discharge gap are arranged on a surface of the substrate opposite to the second substrate so as to span a plurality of cells. In the discharge panel, the sustain electrode and the scan electrode are respectively formed from a plurality of line portions extending in the row direction of the matrix.The main discharge gap is defined as the gap between adjacent line portions of the pair of sustain electrodes and scan electrodes, and the gap between the line portions constituting the sustain electrode and scan electrode is defined as the line portion gap. The discharge gap and the line part gap are such that the main discharge gap is larger than the line part gap.In addition, since the peak of the discharge current waveform of the display electrode is set to be single during driving, it is excellent by securing a single discharge current peak waveform while reducing power consumption. It is possible to obtain luminous efficiency and drive at high speed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a top view of a display electrode according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a waveform diagram showing a relationship between a drive voltage waveform and a discharge current waveform over time.
FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the lighting voltage (driving voltage) and the number of discharge current peaks expressed by the relationship S−G between the main discharge gap G and the electrode interval S (= S1 = S2).
4 is a top view of a display electrode pattern according to a second embodiment. FIG.
5 is a graph showing the relationship between the main discharge gap G, the first electrode gap S1, the second electrode gap S2 and the number of discharge current peaks in the PDP of Embodiment 2. FIG.
6 is a top view of a display electrode according to Embodiment 3. FIG.
7 is a graph showing the relationship between the main discharge gap G, the average electrode interval Save, each electrode interval difference ΔS, and the number of discharge current peaks in the PDP of Embodiment 3. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a performance comparison diagram between the second and third embodiments.
FIG. 9 is a top view of display electrodes according to the fourth embodiment;
10 is a graph showing an example of a discharge light emission waveform in the PDP of Embodiment 4. FIG.
FIG. 11 is a top view of display electrodes according to the fifth embodiment;
12 shows the first electrode gap S1 ratio (S1 / G) to the main discharge gap G and the number of discharge current peaks applied to the electrode gap ratio (α = Sn + 1 / Sn) in the PDP configured according to Embodiment 5. FIG. It is a graph which shows the relationship.
FIG. 13 is a top view of a display electrode according to a sixth embodiment.
14 is a graph showing the relationship between time variation of a drive voltage waveform and a discharge current waveform in the PDP of Embodiment 6. FIG.
15 is a top view of a display electrode according to an eighth embodiment. FIG.
16 is a graph showing power-luminance curves in the PDPs of Embodiments 6 and 7. FIG.
17 is a top view of a display electrode according to an eighth embodiment. FIG.
18 is a graph showing the relationship between the black ratio and the bright place contrast when L4 is changed in the PDP of Embodiment 8. FIG.
19 is a top view of display electrodes according to Embodiment 9. FIG.
20 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the partition wall 30 of the PDP according to the tenth embodiment. FIG.
FIG. 21 is a top view of display electrodes according to the eleventh embodiment.
22 is a graph showing temporal changes in drive voltage waveform and discharge current waveform in the PDP of Embodiment 11. FIG.
23 is a top view of display electrodes according to Embodiment 12. FIG.
24 is a top view of display electrodes of Embodiment 13. FIG.
25 is a top view of display electrodes of Embodiment 14. FIG.
26 is a top view of display electrodes according to the fifteenth embodiment. FIG.
27 is a top view of display electrodes according to the sixteenth embodiment. FIG.
28 is a top view of display electrodes according to the seventeenth embodiment. FIG.
29 is a graph showing the relationship between the area of the display electrode and the luminance when W1 = W2 in the PDP in Embodiment 17. FIG.
30 is a top view of display electrodes according to Embodiment 18. FIG.
31 is a graph showing the relationship between the electrode area and the luminance when W1 = W2 in the PDP in Embodiment 18. FIG.
32 is a top view of display electrodes according to the nineteenth embodiment. FIG.
33 is a graph showing the relationship between the electrode area and the luminance when W1 = W2 in the PDP of Embodiment 19. FIG.
34 is a top view of display electrodes according to the twentieth embodiment. FIG.
35 is a graph showing the relationship between the electrode area and the luminance when W1 = W2 in the PDP of Embodiment 20. FIG.
36 is a graph showing a trial calculation result of a luminance distribution of a cell in the twentieth embodiment. FIG.
37 is a top view of the display electrode according to the twenty-first embodiment. FIG.
38 is a graph showing the relationship between the area of the display electrode and the panel luminance when W1 = W2 in the PDP in Embodiment 21. FIG.
FIG. 39 is a top view of display electrodes according to the twenty-second embodiment.
40 is a top view of display electrodes according to the twenty-third embodiment. FIG.
41 is a top view of display electrodes according to Embodiment 24. FIG.
FIG. 42 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing a main configuration of a general AC surface discharge type PDP.
43 is a graph showing a matrix formed by a plurality of pairs of display electrodes 22 and 23 (N rows) and a plurality of address electrodes 28 (M rows) of a PDP. FIG.
FIG. 44 is a block conceptual diagram of an image display device using a conventional PDP.
FIG. 45 shows an example of a drive waveform applied to each electrode (scan electrode, sustain electrode, address electrode) of the PDP.
FIG. 46 is a diagram illustrating a subfield dividing method in the case of expressing 256 gradations of each color in a conventional AC driven PDP.
[Explanation of symbols]
22 Display electrode (scan electrode)
22a-22d, 23a-23d, 221, 231 line
22sb, 22sbg, 22sbr, 22sbb, 23sb, 23sbg, 23sbr, 23sbb, 22sb1-22sb3, 23sb1-23sb3 short bar
23 Display electrode (sustain electrode)
28 Address electrode
30 Bulkhead
34 Auxiliary bulkhead
222, 232, 222a, 222b, 232a, 232b Inside protrusion
223, 233 Outer protrusion

Claims (20)

A plurality of cells filled with a discharge gas are arranged in a matrix between a pair of substrates provided facing each other, and on the surface of the pair of substrates facing the second substrate of the first substrate. In a gas discharge panel in which a plurality of display electrodes that are paired with a sustain electrode and a scan electrode arranged via a main discharge gap are arranged in a state that spans a plurality of cells,
The sustain electrode and the scan electrode are each composed of a plurality of line portions extending in the row direction of the matrix ,
The main discharge gap is defined as the gap between adjacent line portions of the pair of sustain electrodes and scan electrodes,
When the gap between each line part constituting the sustain electrode and the scan electrode is a line part gap,
The main discharge gap and the line portion gap are:
A gas discharge panel, wherein a main discharge gap is set to be larger than a line portion gap, and a peak of a discharge current waveform of the display electrode is set to a single during driving.  The gas discharge panel according to claim 1, wherein each of the sustain electrode and the scan electrode includes three or more line portions.  2. The gas discharge panel according to claim 1, wherein a pitch of the line portion gap becomes narrower as the distance from the main discharge gap increases.  4. The gas discharge panel according to claim 3, wherein the pitch of the line portion gap is narrowed in a geometric series or a geometric series. 5.  When the cell size along the column direction of the matrix is in the range of 480 μm to 1400 μm, the average value of all the line part gaps in the cell is S, and the value of the main discharge gap is G, G-60 μm ≦ S ≦ The gas discharge panel according to claim 2, wherein a relational expression of G + 20 μm is established.  2. The gas discharge panel according to claim 1, wherein the width of the line portion farthest from the main discharge gap is wider than the width of other line portions or the average width of all the line portions.  The gas discharge panel according to claim 6, wherein the width of the line portion increases as the distance from the main discharge increases.  In either the sustain electrode or the scan electrode composed of n line portions, the cell size along the column direction of the matrix is P, the width of the line portion farthest from the main discharge gap is Ln, and all the line portions The gas discharge panel according to claim 6, wherein the relational expression Lave ≦ Ln ≦ {0.35 P− (L1 + L2 +... Ln−1)} holds when the average value of L is Lave.  2. The gas discharge panel according to claim 1, wherein a resistance value R of a line portion farthest from the main discharge gap is a value in a range of 0.1Ω ≦ R ≦ 80Ω.  2. The gas discharge panel according to claim 1, wherein the width of the first line portion closest to the main discharge gap is narrower than the width of the other line portions.  The width of each of the first line portion closest to the main discharge gap and the second line portion adjacent thereto is narrower than the width of the other line portions or the average width of the line portions. The gas discharge panel described.  12. The relational expression of 0.5Lave ≦ L1 and L2 ≦ Lave is established, where L1 is a width of the first line portion and L2 is a width of the second line portion. Gas discharge panel.  2. The gas discharge panel according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the sustain electrode and the scan electrode further includes a connection portion that electrically connects two adjacent line portions. .  The gas discharge panel according to claim 13, wherein the connection portion is provided on a scan electrode.  The plurality of cells are arranged by a plurality of first barrier ribs arranged along the row direction of the matrix and a plurality of second barrier ribs arranged along the column direction of the matrix. The gas discharge panel according to claim 1.  The gas discharge panel according to claim 15, wherein the width of the second barrier rib is set in a range of 30 µm to 300 µm.  The gas discharge panel according to claim 15, wherein the height of the second barrier rib is set in a range of 50 µm to 120 µm.  2. The gas discharge panel according to claim 1, wherein the half-value width of the light emission waveform of the single peak is in a range of 50 ns ≦ Thw ≦ 700 μs. In the row direction of the matrix, a phosphor layer corresponding to any one of R , G , B is formed in the cell,
In accordance with the position of the cell where the phosphor layer corresponding to any one of the colors R 1 , G 3 and B exists, two adjacent line portions are arranged in either one or both of the sustain electrode and the scan electrode. The gas discharge panel according to claim 1, wherein a connection portion for electrical connection is provided .   The connection portion is arranged corresponding to all of the phosphor layers of R, G, B, and each area of the connection portion provided corresponding to each of the phosphor layers of R, G, B is SbR, 20. The gas discharge panel according to claim 19, wherein when SbG and SbB are satisfied, the relational expression SbB ≦ SbR ≦ SbG is satisfied.

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