Ion Energy Distribution in Alternating-Current Plasma Display Panel Cell

Abstract

In an alternating-current plasma display panel cell, elastic collisions between the neutral gas and ions keep most ion energies much lower than the applied voltage. Two-dimensional kinetic simulation reveals that the majority (90%) of the plasma ions impinging on the dielectric layer have energy at or below 10% of the applied voltage of 250 V calling for the need for measurement of the secondary electron emission-coefficient below 50 eV. The kinetic potential and density profiles compare well with those of a two-dimensional fluid simulation.