Phosphors for plasma-display panels: Demands and achieved performance

— Almost two-thirds of the discharge cells in plasma-display panels (PDPs) are covered with phosphors. Beyond the efficient conversion of vacuum UV photons into visible light, the phosphor layer serves as a reflective mirror transporting light in the desired viewing direction. The quantum efficiency of state-of-the-art PDP phosphors is, at its upper limit, 80–95%. Today's improved blue-emitting BaMgAl10O17:Eu (BAM) phosphor still deteriorates during panel processing and operation, resulting in a loss of efficiency and color purity. A reduction in the phosphor particle size below 2 μm is suited to ease panel manufacturing and to improve light output.