Electrode configuration for channel confinement of plasma discharge in an electrode structure using an ionizable gaseous medium

摘要

An improved electrode structure (42', 42") for an addressing structure using an ionizable gaseous medium has a plurality of plasma discharge channels (20') and a reference electrode (30', 30") and a row electrode (62') extending along each channel. The channels open into a plenum (118) for exhausting gases from the channels and introducing into the channels an ionizable gaseous medium at a predetermined pressure. The reference electrodes and the row electrodes enter from opposite ends of the channels, and the reference electrodes cross below the plenum. The row electrodes have an end (110) spaced from the ends (102) of the channels. The end of the row electrodes is separated from the end of the channels by a first distance (D) adequate to prevent undesirable plasma discharge while the electrode structure is operating. In a first embodiment (42') the reference electrodes have an end (112) spaced from a first perimeter seal (106). The ends of the reference electrodes are separated from the first perimeter seal by a second distance (E) adequate to prevent substantial erosion or other disassociation of the first perimeter seal resulting from plasma discharge in the channel. In a second embodiment (42") the ends (112') of the reference electrodes are embedded in the first perimeter seal (106').