The display panel includes a base plate which carries a plurality of pairs of scanning cathodes and display cathodes, oriented in columns, and insulating spacers which, in each pair, separate the scanning and display cathodes into operative pairs, with the pairs being arrayed in rows and columns. The panel also includes a face plate which carries a plurality of anode strips, oriented in rows, each strip overlaying and having a portion in operative relation with a row of scanning and display cathode pairs. In each pair of cathodes, only the display cathode is visible to a viewer. The face plate and base plate are sealed together to form an envelope which is filled with a gas suitable for supporting cathode glow. In one mode of operation of the panel, each column of scanning cathodes is energized at a relatively low level, and then selected display cathodes in the associated column are energized at viewing level. Then, the same column of scan cathodes is re-energized, and glow is then transferred to the next adjacent column of scan cathodes where the cycle is repeated. This operation is carried out through the columns of scan and display cathodes in the panel sequentially at such a rate that a changeable but apparently stationary message is displayed by the total number of display cathodes energized.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a division of application Ser. No. 428,415, filed Dec. 26, 1973, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,886,389.
A coplanar sustaining plasma panel, and particularly an electrode arrangement make is possible to better contain the sustaining discharges in a predetermined zone. Plasma panel (10) of the invention comprises addressing electrodes (X1 to X3) crossed with sustaining electrodes arranged by pair (p1, p2), each sustaining electrode pair being formed of an addressing-sustaining electrode (Y1, Y2) and a sustaining-only electrode (E1, E2). A pixel (PX1 to PX6) consists approximately at each crossing of an addressing electrode (X1, X2, X3) with a sustaining electrode pair (p1, p2). At least one of two electrodes (Y1, E1) of same pair (p1) comprises, at the level of each pixel (PX1 to PX6), a projecting surface (SB1 to SB3, SC1, SC3) oriented toward the other electrode. According to a characteristic of the invention, projecting surfaces (SB1 to SB3, SC1 to SC3) are arranged so that between two consecutive pixels (PX1 to PX6) of same pair (p1, p2), of the two closest projecting surfaces, one belongs to an addressing-sustaining electrode (Y1, Y2) and the other to a sustaining-only electrode (E1, E2).
An evacuated envelope having substantially flat, spaced apart front and back walls and support walls extending between the front and back walls forming a plurality of parallel channels extending along the front and back walls. In each of the channels is an electron beam guide assembly which includes a pair of spaced, parallel plates fixedly secured together along parallel elongated edges by spacer members which are between the plates and to which the plates are mechanically secured. The plates have a plurality of openings therethrough arranged in rows longitudinally along and transversely across the plates with the openings in one plate being aligned with the openings in the other plate. The beam guide assembly fits in tracks formed along the support wall adjacent the back wall so as to support the beam guide assembly in fixed, spaced relation to the back wall. A plurality of spaced, parallel conductors are on the back wall and extend transversely across the channels, and a gun structure is provided at the one end of the channels for generating beams of electrons and directing the beams into the beam guide assemblies between the plates.
A gas discharge panel in which a pair of substrates each has provided thereon a plurality of buses and a plurality of electrodes regularly connected to the buses, and in which the substrates are disposed opposite to each other with a discharge gas sealing space defined therebetween. By applying switching voltages to the buses, discharge spots between pair of opposed electrodes are sequentially shifted. No cross-over parts for electrode connections are present on the substrates.
A flat display panel is provided which can improve the reliability of the contact portion where a flat plate and a back plate are bonded together and can suppress the display dead space. Recessed portions 52 are formed in a glass substrate 60 so that a sealing wall 63 is formed along the outer fringe of a back plate 61. The front plate 54 includes a protrusion 59 protruding outward from the sealing wall 63 on the outer fringe portion thereof. The contact portion between the front plate 54 and the back plate 61 is sealed by depositing fritted glass 62 onto the corner portion defined by the protrusion 59 and the side surface of the back plate 61. In order to improve the sealing effect, the fritted glass 62 is inserted into the gap at the bonding portion. The groove 64 is formed on the top surface of the sealing wall 63 to prevent the fritted glass 62 from intruding in to the discharge space.
A gas discharge display panel for a large screen display in which the display brightness and emission efficiency are very high, the display accuracy is high, and is simple to construct. Cathode electrodes having openings forming discharge cells are arranged in parallel on a front plate and a number of anode electrodes are arranged in parallel on a rear plate orthogonal to the cathode electrodes. Each opening in the cathode electrodes may be rectangular, substantially rectangular or circular. The length of one side of a rectangular opening or the diameter of a circular opening is set to satisfy 40.lambda..sub.e .ltoreq.D.ltoreq.500.lambda..sub.e while the thickness of the cathode electrode is 10.lambda..sub.e .ltoreq.T.ltoreq.100.lambda..sub.e, where .lambda..sub.e is the mean free path of electrons in a gas sealed in the display panel.
