A Monte-Carlo model of xenon resonance radiation transport in a plasma display panel cell: Transition from optically thick to thin regimes

Plasma display panels (PDPs) are a promising technology for large-area flat panel color displays. The operation of PDPs relies on UV radiation from the Xe(5p56s→5s25p6) and Xe(5p56s′→5s25p6) resonance transitions, and the radiative relaxation of Xe2*, to excite phosphors, thereby producing visible radiation. The particular combination of device dimensions, gas composition, and operating conditions typically used in PDP cells is such that the resonance UV radiation is in a quasi-optically thick regime. In this article, results from a radiation transport model which accounts for the frequency redistribution resulting from multiple resonance absorption and re-emission is discussed. The model employs Monte-Carlo photon transport and frequency redistribution algorithms to treat the nonlocal nature of resonance radiation transport. Using results from this model, the transition from optically thin to optically thick transport is discussed for conditions typically used in conventional PDPs.