Discharge-frequency dependence of the erosion profile of MgO layers in AC plasma display panels

We used microscopic spectrophotometry for in - situ and real time probing of the discharge-frequency effects on MgO-layer erosion in real ac plasma display panel (ac-PDP) micro-cells. The main features of the MgO-layer erosion at a discharge frequency of 10 kHz were the formation of two trenches near the electrode edges and the re-deposition of the eroded MgO in the mid-section between the two trenches. These features also appeared at higher discharge frequencies with some distinct frequency dependence. First of all, there was a significant decrease in the erosion at higher discharge frequencies, and consequently, only much shallower trenches were formed. Second, as the discharge frequency was increased, the trenches became wider and were separated further away.