Abstract:
A system and method for producing a film is described. One embodiment of the process includes the following processes: providing a substrate comprising a glass plate, electrodes; and bus bars; heating the substrate to an approximate critical temperature; initiating the chemical vapor deposition process when the substrate is near the approximate critical temperature, thereby depositing a film on the substrate; maintaining the upper portion of the film at approximately the critical temperature while the chemical vapor deposition process is ongoing; terminating the chemical vapor deposition process once the film has reached a desired thickness; and cooling the substrate and the deposited film.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from commonly owned and assigned application No. 60/772,593, entitled “Low K Dielectric Layer for Plasma Display Panels,” which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the invention relate generally to plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition techniques, and in particular, but not by way of limitation, to systems and methods for producing low-K dielectric layers for use in plasma display panels, solar panels, and other substrates. These low-K dielectric layers can enhanced device performance and result in electrical devices that consume significantly less power. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Dielectric coatings with low dielectric constants (K) are currently manufactured in the semiconductor industry. For example, the semiconductor industry is currently depositing thin SiO 2  layers onto silicon wafers. These dielectric layers have dielectric constants in the 3-4 range. The semiconductor industry, however, has only been able to produce these dielectric layers on relatively small substrates—somewhere in the range of 1 to 12 inches currently. Moreover, the semiconductor industry only deposits thin dielectric layers—usually in the 5 to 25 nanometer range. 
         [0004]    To build these thin, low-K dielectric layers, the semiconductor industry uses a process known as plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (“PECVD”). The general process of PECVD is well known and is used in many industries to deposit many types of thin films. But for the most part, PECVD has not been successful in producing thicker low-K dielectric layers on large scales. In particular, the PECVD process has been completely unsuccessful in depositing stable SiO 2  layers onto large substrates. The biggest failures of the industry to date include the inability to create dielectric layers in high-temperature processes and to create thick dielectric layers (e.g. thicker than 1 micron). 
         [0005]    The failure of PECVD in producing dielectric layers on large substrates has been felt extensively by the plasma display panel (“PDP”) industry. This industry is currently manufacturing plasma display panels over 102 inches in diagonal size. Dielectric layers are a necessary component of plasma display panels, but current PECVD processes have no way to deposit a stable low-K dielectric layer upon a substrate so large. As previously mentioned, the PECVD process is currently limited to depositing thin low-K dielectric layers on semiconductor wafers in the 12 inch range. 
         [0006]    The primary reason that PECVD cannot be used to deposit low-K dielectric layers on large substrates is that the industry has not yet discovered how to manage thermal stresses and the resultant film cracking that results from coating large substrates, especially when thermally cycled. The plasma panel display industry would prefer to use PECVD to manufacture its dielectric layers, but simply cannot do so at this time. 
         [0007]    With the failure of PECVD for depositing dielectric material, the plasma display panel industry is forced to rely on conventional technologies such as silkscreen printing and spin coating to place dielectric layers on large substrates. The silkscreen and spin coating processes are less desirable than the PECVD process. 
         [0008]    Several problems exist with the conventional processes. First, these conventional processes result in a dielectric layer with an unusually high dielectric constant. Currently dielectric constants for dielectric layers applied through silkscreen or spin coating techniques run in the range of 15 instead of the desired 3-5 range. This high dielectric constant causes increased capacitance in the dielectric layer. And to accommodate this increased capacitance, plasma display panels must be operated at a higher voltage than they would if the dielectric constant of the dielectric layer was lower. The increase in operating voltage required by the high-K dielectric layers is significant. Currently, plasma display panels are operated at around 160-190 volts to overcome the extra capacitance and to supply the required light output level. Managing this high voltage, requires expensive semiconductor components, large power sources, and complicated heat dissipation hardware. Overall, the high-K dielectric layer currently used by plasma display panel manufacturers limits the size of plasma display panels and significantly increases the cost of those panels. 
         [0009]    Another problem caused by the current material used for the dielectric layers in plasma display panels is the impurities in that material. These impurities are deliberately added to the dielectric material to lower its softening temperature so that it may properly adhere to the underlying substrate. The unfortunate side effect of these impurities is exhaust gasses that invade other materials in the plasma display panel during their deposition. These exhaust gasses significantly degrade other materials within the plasma display panel and cause even more voltage to be needed to operate the plasma display panel. The exhaust gasses and resulting higher voltages can also significantly shorten the life of a plasma display panel. 
         [0010]    Assuming that the plasma display panel industry could replace the current high-K dielectric layers with low-K dielectric layers, it is anticipated that a 50% reduction in operating voltage could be achieved. It is also anticipated that the life span of a plasma display panel would be greatly extended. Taking these two factors into account, it is anticipated that the plasma display panel industry could reduce the manufacturing cost of a typical plasma display panel by 40 to 50%. 
         [0011]    Unfortunately, with existing technology, there is no successful way to replace the conventionally applied silkscreened and spin coated high-K dielectric layer with a low-K dielectric layer. Thus, there is no way with existing technology to realize the above-mentioned power savings. 
         [0012]    Accordingly, a new system, method and article manufacture are needed to address these and other problems known in the substrate coating industry. It should be noted that the problem is not limited to the plasma display panel industry and any solutions could be used not only for the plasma panel display industry but also for other industries, including the solar panel industry. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention that are shown in the drawings are summarized below. These and other embodiments are more fully described in the Detailed Description section. It is to be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the forms described in this Summary of the Invention or in the Detailed Description. One skilled in the art can recognize that there are numerous modifications, equivalents and alternative constructions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. 
         [0014]    A system and method for producing a film is described. One embodiment of the process includes the following processes: providing a substrate comprising a glass plate, electrodes; and bus bars; heating the substrate to an approximate critical temperature; initiating the chemical vapor deposition process when the substrate is near the approximate critical temperature, thereby depositing a film on the substrate; maintaining the upper portion of the film at approximately the critical temperature while the chemical vapor deposition process is ongoing; terminating the chemical vapor deposition process once the film has reached a desired thickness; and cooling the substrate and the deposited film. 
         [0015]    Embodiments of the system described herein can result in significantly reduced manufacturing costs and significantly reduced power consumption. When the power consumption reduction is considered across the number of electrical appliances, e.g., plasma TVs, that could benefit because of the inventions described herein, significant power savings can be achieved. 
         [0016]    As previously stated, the above-described embodiments and implementations are for illustration purposes only. Numerous other embodiments, implementations, and details of the invention are easily recognized by those of skill in the art from the following descriptions and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    Various objects and advantages and a more complete understanding of the present invention are apparent and more readily appreciated by reference to the following Detailed Description and to the appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a cross section of a typical plasma display panel constructed according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a cross section diagram of a plasma display panel portion constructed according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a chart of the surface temperature of the substrate and film surface when a dielectric layer is deposited according to the experimental, unsuccessful PECVD processes; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a cross section of a plasma display panel portion manufactured according to the unsuccessful, experimental PECVD processes; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a cross section of a dielectric layer applied according to conventional methods; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a chart of the surface temperature of the substrate and film when a dielectric is deposited using a PECVD process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7A  is a cross section of a plasma display panel portion constructed using the PECVD process according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7B  is a flow chart showing one method of depositing a low-K dielectric film in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is an enlargement of a portion of the plasma display panel illustrating pinch points caused by the PECVD process; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a cross section of a plasma display panel that includes a planarization layer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , it illustrates a cross section of one portion of a plasma display panel  100  constructed according to one embodiment of the present invention. For perspective, a viewer would view this plasma display panel through the top glass plate  105 . For clarity, this plasma display panel  100  is described starting with the top glass plate  105  inward. 
         [0029]    The top layer of this plasma display panel is the top glass plate  105 . Secured to the inside of the glass plate are two electrodes known as the X and Y electrodes  110 ,  115 . These electrodes carry the voltage necessary to drive the plasma display panel  100  and generate the necessary plasma  120 . Typically these electrodes  110 ,  115  are formed of sputtered Indium Tin Oxide (“ITO”). ITO is a conductive, transparent material that does not interfere with light being emitted from the plasma display panel. 
         [0030]    The X and Y electrodes  100 ,  115  are in contact with corresponding bus bars  125 . These bus bars  125  are typically a silkscreened silver paste or a sputtered aluminum compound and are highly conductive. 
         [0031]    Beneath the glass plate  105 , electrodes  100 ,  115 , and bus bars  125  is the upper dielectric layer  130 . In conventional plasma display panels this upper dielectric layer is formed of a leaded glass material that is applied using silkscreen or spinning techniques. As previously mentioned, in conventional systems this upper dielectric layer generally has a high dielectric constant that is undesirable. In this embodiment of the present invention, however, the upper dielectric layer  130  is applied using a PECVD process controlled in a novel fashion to thereby produce a low-K dielectric layer. 
         [0032]    Directly beneath this upper dielectric layer  130  is a protective layer  135 . This protective layer is typically formed of magnesium oxide (MgO) and is deposited through electron beam processes. This protection layer  135  resists sputtering from the plasma, which is generally highly corrosive. Without this protective layer  135 , the generated plasma would quickly destroy the dielectric layer  130 , the bus bars  125 , and the electrodes  100 ,  115 . 
         [0033]    This entire upper layer, consisting of the upper glass plate through the protection layer, is supported by a series of barrier ribs  140 . These barrier ribs  140  provide a separation zone and also isolate particular color portions of the plasma display panel. As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the two barrier ribs  140  separate the red phosphor layer  145  from the blue phosphor layer  150  from the green phosphor layer  155 . Thus, plasmas can be generated that produce light in a single color. 
         [0034]    Underneath the various phosphor layers lies the lower dielectric layer  160 . This lower dielectric layer  160  is typically applied to the lower glass plate using silkscreen or spinning techniques. The dielectric constant of this lower dielectric layer  160  is not as critical as the dielectric constant of the upper dielectric layer  130 . Accordingly, silkscreen and spinning techniques are generally acceptable to apply the lower dielectric layer  160 . In some embodiments, a PECVD process can be used. 
         [0035]    Sandwiched between the lower dielectric layer  160  and the lower glass plate  165  is the addressing electrode  170 . This electrode  170  is typically a silkscreened silver paste or a sputtered aluminum compound. The addressing electrode  170  is used to select particular pixels within a plasma display panel for activation. 
         [0036]    The plasma display panel in  FIG. 1  is shown admitting blue light in the shown region. Initially the region for illumination is selected by applying a voltage to the addressing electrode  170 . The voltage differential on the X and Y electrodes  100 ,  115  causes a voltage differential on the inside of the protection layer  135 . This voltage differential is typically referred to as the “wall voltage.” Assuming that the wall voltage is high enough, the gas between the two barrier ribs to becomes excited  120 . Typically, this gas is either neon or xenon. The excited gas, or plasma, bombards the blue phosphor layer  150  with ultra violet radiation, thereby causing the blue phosphor layer  150  to emit a visible blue light. 
         [0037]    In current plasma display panels, the voltage applied at the X and Y electrodes is approximately 160-190 volts. Due to the capacitance caused by conventional upper dielectric layers, the voltage drop between the electrodes and the wall voltage is significant. Stated differently, because of the high dielectric constant of conventional dielectric layers, a significantly higher voltage must be applied at the X and Y electrodes to achieve a sufficient wall voltage to create the necessary plasma. 
         [0038]    Using one embodiment of the present invention with the novel upper dielectric layer, however, the wall voltage and electrode voltage are closer together. In one set of experiments, the voltage applied to the electrodes needed to sustain the plasma was approximately 90 volts rather than 190 volts with the conventional dielectric layer. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , it illustrates a cross section diagram of a plasma display panel  175  constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment illustrates the top glass plate  180 , the electrodes  185 , the bus bars  190 , the dielectric layer  195  constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, and the protective layer  200 . Points A and B are marked to indicate where a wall voltage might be measured. It should be noted, however, that points A and B are imaginary points and are identified for discussion purposes only. 
         [0040]    Because of the lower-K dielectric constant of the dielectric layer  195  of the present invention, the voltage applied at the electrodes is better transferred to the wall voltage points A and B than it would be using the prior art high-K dielectric layers—meaning that the panel can be operated at lower voltage. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , it is a chart  205  of the surface temperature of the substrate and dielectric when attempts are made to deposit a low-K dielectric material using a PECVD process in accordance with unsuccessful, experimental methods. This chart indicates the surface temperature of the front glass plate and the upper most layer of the upper dielectric layer as the dielectric layer is being deposited through previous, unsuccessful PECVD processes. As previously described, dielectric layers applied according to this typical PECVD process are wholly unacceptable because they cracked and are unusable. The plasma display panel industry has tried to limit this cracking but has been unsuccessful prior to the improvements described herein. 
         [0042]    The unsuccessful PECVD methods for depositing a dielectric layer on a large substrate involved external heaters heating a substrate to a starting temperature-shown as Tstart. When the substrate temperature reached that starting temperature, at time T 1 , then the PECVD process was initiated. At this point the external heaters were either turned off or turned down. (The PECVD process and methods of controlling the PECVD process are well known and not described further.) But as is shown in  FIG. 3 , even when the external heaters are turned off at T 1 , the temperature of the surface of the substrate and dielectric layer continues to climb. This increase in surface temperature, even without the presence of an external heat source, is caused by exothermic reactions on the surface of the growing film. 
         [0043]    For example, the typical PECVD process for depositing a dielectric layer, such as SiO 2 , uses a precursor gas known as HMDSO. When disassociated during the PECVD process, HMDSO forms SiOx and hopefully SiO 2 . (This process of disassociating HMDSO is known to those of skill in the art and not described in detail herein.) The SiOx radicals and other radicals deposit on the surface of the substrate and existing film. The heat of that film surface causes further breakdown and chemical reaction of the deposited material. This further breakdown results in additional exothermic reactions, thereby generating additional heat, which causes further chemical breakdown, which generates even more heat. This cycle continues until the film layer reaches a critical temperature or maximum temperature. In  FIG. 3 , this maximum temperature is reached at time T 2  and is indicated by Tmax. The critical temperature represents the approximate maximum temperature that the growing film will reach due to an exothermic reaction. Alternatively, the critical temperature is generally the temperature at which the exothermic reaction no longer adds heat to the surface of the film or if it does add heat, the heat no longer impacts film growth. 
         [0044]    It has been discovered that these exothermic reactions and the corresponding increase in surface temperature from times T 1  to T 2  are responsible for the cracking that the plasma display panel industry has been experiencing in its PECVD-applied dielectric layers. It is believed that these exothermic reactions, by adding heat to the PECVD process, are changing the density of the dielectric layer as it grows. 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , it illustrates a diagram of a dielectric layer  210  deposited through unsuccessful, experimental PECVD techniques. This plasma display panel illustrates the top glass panel  215 , the electrodes  220 , the bus bars  225 , and a PECVD-deposited dielectric layer  230 . The dots in the dielectric layer represent the density of SiOx within the dielectric layer. As can be seen, the density increases from the outer portion of the dielectric layer to the inner portion of the dielectric layer. This increase in density corresponds to the increase in heat added to the PECVD process by the exothermic reactions. For instance, the less-dense portion of the dielectric layer nearest the glass panel would be deposited at approximately time T 1  and the more-dense portion of the dielectric layer would be deposited at approximately time T 2 . 
         [0046]    The problem with the dielectric layer shown in  FIG. 4  is that it will crack  235  as it cools. The varying densities of SiOx within the dielectric layer  230  cause the dielectric layer  230  to have a varying thermal expansion coefficient—meaning that as the dielectric layer cools from its initial deposition, different portions of the film contract at different rates, thereby causing the dielectric layer  230  to crack  235 . This cracking can be so violent that it causes the dielectric layer  230  to completely detach from the underlying substrate. Further, this cracking problem is so pronounced that the plasma display panel industry has been unable to successfully deposit dielectric layers on large substrates using PECVD. And as previously discussed, the industry has been forced to rely upon the much less desirable techniques of silkscreen application and spin coating application. 
         [0047]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , it illustrates a dielectric layer  240  placed by the traditional techniques of silkscreening and spin coating. Again, these are the techniques currently used by the plasma display panel industry. This diagram illustrates the glass plate  245 , the electrodes  250 , the bus bars  255  and the dielectric layer  260 . 
         [0048]    Ideally, this dielectric layer  260  would be pure SiO 2 . Unfortunately, the softening temperature of pure SiO 2  is too high for the plasma display panel manufacturing process. At the temperatures required to soften a pure SiO 2  dielectric layer, the glass plate would be damaged. To overcome the high softening temperature of SiO 2  dielectric layers, the industry has adopted a practice of adding impurities to the dielectric material. Typically the dielectric material that is applied by silkscreen or spin coating techniques is a combination of SiO 2  and PbO, ZnO or BaO. Collectively these glasses are often referred to as “lead” glass. 
         [0049]    Although these impurities lower the softening temperature of the dielectric material to an acceptable point so that they can be applied by traditional techniques, the impurities do result in significant negative side effects. One of those side effects is that the impurities increase the dielectric constant of the dielectric material. Typically the lead glass used in current plasma display panel manufacturing has a dielectric constant in the 10 to 16 K range. As is known to those of skill in the art, increasing the dielectric constant causes an increase in capacitance. Thus, the lead glass, with its high dielectric constant, acts as a relatively large capacitor. This increased capacitance causes additional voltage to be needed to drive the plasma display panel. In fact, this increased capacitance results in significant extra costs in manufacturing a plasma display panel. 
         [0050]    Another negative side effect of the impurities is that the lead glass must be unusually thick to provide the proper breakdown voltages. Typically lead glass used in the current plasma display panel industry is between 25 and 30 micrometers thick. 
         [0051]    And yet another drawback of using lead glass is that lead glass, when heated, exhausts impurities such as O 2 , H 2 O, CO and CO 2 . These impurities are released, for example, during the deposition of the protective layer and disrupt the formation of that layer. Typically these exhausted waste gases decrease the density of the protective layer, change the actual physical structure of the protective layer, and leave impurities directly in the protective layer. 
         [0052]    Recall that the protective layer is designed to resist the plasma that forms inside the plasma display panel. Plasma is extremely corrosive and without the protective layer, the plasma would destroy the upper dielectric layer, the electrodes, the bus bars and eventually the upper glass plate. Protective layers, such as magnesium oxide MgO, resist the corrosive effects of plasma. But impurities introduced into the protective layer significantly reduce the protective layer&#39;s ability to resist the plasma. Accordingly, these waste gases exhausted by lead glass dielectric layers reduce the effectiveness of the protective layer. 
         [0053]    It has also been discovered that these impurities negatively effect the electrical properties of the protective layer. 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , it is a chart  265  that illustrates the surface temperature of a substrate in a dielectric film deposited using a PECVD process operated in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As this chart shows, a substrate is heated to the critical temperature, shown as Tmax, using an external heater. Recall that this critical temperature is approximately the temperature at which the exothermic reactions no longer impact the density of a deposited dielectric layer. In one embodiment, the critical temperature was around 240° C. for a SiO 2  film. Once the substrate is heated to this critical temperature, the external heater can be turned off or reduced—leaving the exothermic reaction to maintain a constant or near constant temperature on the growing film&#39;s surface. This process helps create a uniform density within the dielectric layer. The exothermic reaction and the resulting heat can be changed by changing the deposition rate. For example, the power applied to the antenna during the deposition process can be reduced. This reduction will cause a drop in the deposition rate. Alternatively, the power signal—including frequency, duty cycle, pulse shape—applied during the deposition process can be varied. 
         [0055]    Referring now to  FIG. 7A , it illustrates a plasma display panel  270  with a dielectric layer  275  deposited according to the teachings of one embodiment of the present invention. As with the previous plasma display panels, this panel includes the top glass plate  280 , the electrodes  285 , and the bus bars  290 . This plasma display panel portion also includes a low-K dielectric layer  275  that has a uniform density or near uniform density throughout. This uniform density results from controlling the exothermic reactions and controlling the film surface temperature during the PECVD process. This type of uniform density provides a near uniform thermal expansion coefficient throughout the entire dielectric layer. Accordingly, as the dielectric layer cools it does not crack or only cracks an insignificant amount. This type of dielectric layer  275  provides a low dielectric constant, presents low capacitance, and provides a good surface for depositing the protective layer. 
         [0056]      FIG. 7B  illustrates one series of steps  295  to create the dielectric layer of FIG.  7 A—although these steps are not limited to plasma display panels and are not limited to creating dielectric layers. Because the basic PECVD process is well known in the prior art, the basic details of PECVD are not included in this flow chart. Instead this flow chart focuses on recent advances that make it possible to create low-K dielectric layers on large substrates. 
         [0057]    In this process the substrate such as the glass panel is initially heated to a critical temperature. [Block  300 ] This critical temperature will vary according to substrate type, precursor gas process variations, desired dielectric layer thickness, and desired dielectric constant values. Those of skill in the art will understand how to calculate critical temperatures for the particular process parameters and outcomes desired for their particular implementation. Additionally, critical temperatures can be determined easily for particular process parameters and desired outcome through readily available experimental techniques. 
         [0058]    After the substrate is preheated to the critical temperature, the PECVD process can begin and the dielectric layer can be deposited on the substrate. [Block  305 ] Alternatively a different type of layer could be deposited. At this point the external heat can either be turned off or reduced, thereby allowing the exothermic reactions on the film surface to generate the necessary heat to maintain the film surface at or near the critical temperature. Once the dielectric layer has reached the desired thickness, the PECVD process for depositing the dielectric layer can be terminated. [Block  310 ] At that point the next layer, the protective layer, can be deposited upon the dielectric layer using known PECVD or other techniques. [Block  315 ] 
         [0059]    This process can be used dynamically as well as statically to produce plasma display panels. In existing systems, the process was limited to static application. But with the PECVD deposition process of this embodiment of the present invention, the dielectric layer and protective layer can be applied in a dynamic fashion, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and manufacturing time. 
         [0060]    This process has successfully grown dielectric layers up to 65 micrometers thick that have not cracked during cooling. The ideal thickness for dielectric layers in plasma display panels is between 5 and 25 micrometers, and layers 1 micrometer and greater are contemplated. The PECVD process described herein has also successfully produced dielectric layers in this thickness range. Such dielectric layers have shown a heat resistance up to 560° C., a 98% transmission factor, and a dielectric constant in the 4-5 range—less than the 10 currently requested by the industry. One series of tests shows that 50 volts less are required for firing the panel, and 35 volts less are required for sustaining the plasma within the plasma display panel than with conventional dielectric materials. Better results have been achieved in other tests. 
         [0061]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , one problem can arise when using PECVD to deposit low-K dielectric layers on large substrates. This problem is pinch point formation. PECVD generally results in a uniform distribution of deposited material. However, in plasma display panel deposition, the electrodes and bus bars can create a shadowing effect that disrupts even deposition of dielectric material. 
         [0062]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exaggerated view of the pinch points  325  created by the shadowing effect. These pinch points  325  affect the breakdown voltage of the dielectric layer  330  and provide a weakness by which plasma can attack the electrodes  285  and bus bars  290 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 9  illustrates a plasma display panel portion  335  with a planarization layer  340  and a dielectric layer  345  deposited by PECVD in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. This planarization layer  340  reduces the impact of pinch points, and can be deposited by a variety of methods, including silk screening, spin coating, plasma processes, and chemical vapor deposition processes. 
         [0064]    This embodiment illustrates the glass layer  280 , the electrodes  285 , the bus bars  290 , and the dielectric layer  345 . This embodiment also includes a planarization layer  340  between the dielectric layer and the other components. The planarization layer  340  can be a thin lead glass material generally in the range of 20 nanometers to 2000 nanometers thick. This lead glass layer can be applied by traditional silkscreening and spin coating techniques. It has been discovered that these thin planarization layers reduce the effects of shadowing. 
         [0065]    Moreover, it has been discovered that the addition of a planarization layer further reduces the overall capacitance between the electrodes and the protective layer. Recall that capacitance is a major problem because it requires extra voltage to be applied at the electrodes to drive the plasma display panel. But by placing the planarization layer and the dielectric layer of the present invention in series, the overall capacitance is significantly reduced. Effectively, these two separate layers act as series capacitors. 
         [0066]    In another embodiment, two planarization layers are used. The first planarization layer is adjacent to the glass layer  280  and the electrodes  285 . This layer is similar to planarization layer  340 . The second planarization layer is placed on top of the dielectric layer  345 . These two layers effectively sandwich the dielectric layer  345 . And in another embodiment, the only planarization layer used is the second planarization layer. These planarization layers can be extremely thin. For example, they can be less than 500 nanometers thick. Generally, the planarization layers are between 250 nanometers and 500 nanometers thick. 
         [0067]    In conclusion, the present invention provides, among other things, a system and method for producing thin films, such as dielectric layers, for use in several industries. Those skilled in the art can readily recognize that numerous variations and substitutions may be made in the invention, its use and its configuration to achieve substantially the same results as achieved by the embodiments described herein. Accordingly, there is no intention to limit the invention to the disclosed exemplary forms. Many variations, modifications and alternative constructions fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosed invention as expressed in the claims.