Vacuum-ultraviolet/visible conversion phosphors for plasma display panels

The phosphors of red (Y, Gd)BO3 : Eu3+, green Zn2SiO4 : Mn2+, and blue BaMgAl10O17 : Eu2+ (BAM) are widely being used in plasma display panels (PDPs). However, BAM deteriorates seriously during the panel processing and operation, resulting in a loss of efficiency and color purity. Three aspects of the phosphors related to PDP applications are reviewed in this paper: degradation mechanisms of the blue phosphor under thermal treatment and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) irradiation, the improvements for the currently-used phosphors, and the research of new phosphors.