DC gas-discharge display panels with internal memory

Abstract

A gas discharge panel is described which uses thin-film nichrome spirals on the inside of the viewing window to give a resistance in series with each cell. The panel has internal memory and the cells can be operated with direct currents resulting in high cell luminance (∼3000 cd/m-2, ∼900 fL). Characteristics are described that are important for matrix operation and a form of panel address is proposed that avoids the necessity of providing priming electrons in each cell.