Direct observations of vacuum ultraviolet rays for surface‐discharge ac plasma displays by using an ultra‐high‐speed electronic camera

Abstract— Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) rays emitted from Xe during the operation of surface‐discharge ac plasma‐display panels (PDPs) were observed directly by using a recently developed ultra‐high‐speed electronic camera. It is confirmed that 147‐ and 173‐nm VUV rays are emitted from both the cathode and the anode simultaneously. The direct observation shows that the emitting area for 147‐ and 173‐nm emissions above the cathode and the anode extends outward from the edge of the gap. These emission extensions are considered to be caused by a lowering of the electric field above the area due to the accumulation of wall charges. The intensity of the 147‐ and 173‐nm emissions above the anode decays faster than those above the cathode. It is clarified that the difference in the decay characteristics of VUV rays above the cathode and the anode is caused by the difference in the wall‐charge‐accumulation rates above the cathode and the anode. The major reactions concerning the generation of Xe(1s⁴), a xenon resonant state, which is related to 147‐nm emission, and that of Xe^2Y*, a xenon molecule state, which is related to 173‐nm emission, are discussed.