Abstract:
A plasma display panel (PDP) that has improved discharge efficiency and luminance includes: a first substrate and a second substrate which are provided to oppose each other; barrier ribs which are provided between the first and second substrates and by which a plurality of discharge cells are partitioned; a phosphor layer formed in each of the discharge cells; address electrodes formed either on the first substrate or on the second substrate; and display electrodes formed on the first substrate to extend in a direction intersecting with the address electrodes. The display electrodes include: at least a pair of first display electrodes which are provided close to both peripheral portions of each discharge cell; and a second display electrode provided between the first display electrodes to cross the discharge cell, the second display electrode facing the first display electrodes on both sides to form at least two discharge gaps within each discharge cell.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2004-0050609 filed on Jun. 30, 2004 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Technical Field  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a plasma display panel (PDP) for displaying an image by use of gas discharge.  
         [0004]     2. Related Art  
         [0005]     In general, a PDP is a display device in which plasma generated by gas discharge emits vacuum ultra-violet (VUV) light, the VUV light excites phosphor layers, and an image is displayed using visible light of red (R), green (G), and blue (B). The PDP with a large-sized display screen of 60 inches or more can be realized in a thickness of 10 cm or less. Since the PDP is a self-emitting display device like a cathode ray tube (CRT), it provides outstanding color reproducibility and wide viewing angle. Further, since the PDP is more advantageous than a liquid crystal display (LCD) in terms of fabrication process, productivity, and cost, it is becoming popular as a flat panel display for televisions and computers.  
         [0006]     An alternating current (AC) PDP includes rear and front substrates. The rear substrate has address electrodes formed thereon. A dielectric layer is formed on the inner surface of the rear substrate and covers the address electrodes. Stripe-shaped barrier ribs are provided between the address electrodes on the dielectric layer. Phosphor layers of R, G, and B primary colors are provided between the barrier ribs. The front substrate which opposes the rear substrate has, on one surface, display electrodes consisting of a pair of transparent and bus electrodes formed in a direction intersecting with the address electrodes. A dielectric layer and an MgO protective film are sequentially formed on the inner surface of front substrate while covering the display electrodes. Discharge cells are formed at locations where the address electrodes on the rear substrate and the display electrodes on the front substrate intersect each other. Millions of unit discharge cells are arranged in a matrix form within the PDP. The discharge cells in AC PDP arranged in a matrix form are driven using memory characteristics.  
         [0007]     In more detail, to generate discharge between a pair of display electrodes consisting of X- and Y-electrodes, a potential difference of a predetermined voltage or more is required, which is called a firing voltage Vf. When a scan pulse and an addressing voltage Va are applied to the Y-electrode and the address electrode, respectively, discharge is initiated between the two electrodes, whereby plasma is formed in a selected discharge cell. Electrons and ions within the plasma move to an electrode having an opposite polarity to thereby generate a current.  
         [0008]     Each electrode of the AC PDP is covered with a dielectric layer, such that most of the space charges are accumulated on the dielectric layer having opposite polarity. Accordingly, a net space potential between the Y-electrode and the address electrode becomes smaller than the originally applied addressing voltage Va, so that discharge weakens and address discharge disappears. A relatively small amount of electrons are accumulated on the X-electrode, while a relatively large amount of ions are accumulated on the Y-electrode. The electrical charges accumulated on the dielectric layer covering the X- and Y-electrodes are referred to as wall charges Qw. The space voltage formed between the X- and Y-electrodes by the wall charges is referred to as wall voltage Vw.  
         [0009]     When a constant sustain discharge voltage Vs is applied between the X- and Y-electrodes, for example, when a sum Vs+Vw of the sustain discharge voltage Vs and the wall voltage Vw is greater than the discharge firing voltage Vf, discharge occurs within the discharge cell. VUV light generated at this time excites phosphor layers to emit visible light through the transparent front substrate.  
         [0010]     However, when address discharge is not generated between the Y-electrode and the address electrode (i.e. when the addressing voltage Va is not applied), wall charges are not accumulated between the X- and Y-electrodes. As such, a wall voltage is not present between the X- and Y-electrodes. In this case, only the sustain discharge voltage Vs applied between the X- and Y-electrodes is formed in the discharge cell. Since this voltage Vs is lower than the discharge firing voltage Vf, discharge does not occur in the space between the X- and Y-electrodes.  
         [0011]     The PDP, which is driven as above, has a pair of X- and Y-electrodes within each discharge cell. Accordingly, after a reset period, address discharge occurs during an address period at a location of the discharge cell where the Y-electrode and the address electrode intersect each other. During the subsequent sustain period, sustain discharge occurs at a location of the discharge cell between the X- and Y-electrodes.  
         [0012]     In the PDP, surface discharge occurs between the X- and Y-electrodes at the center of the discharge cell. As a result, as the distance from the center of the discharge cell increases, the density and density uniformity of plasma generating surface discharge becomes remarkably weak, thereby decreasing discharge efficiency and brightness.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     In accordance with the present invention a PDP is provided that has improved discharge efficiency and brightness.  
         [0014]     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a PDP which includes: a first substrate and a second substrate which are provided to oppose each other; barrier ribs which are provided between the first and second substrates and by which a plurality of discharge cells are partitioned; a phosphor layer formed in each of the discharge cells; address electrodes formed either on the first substrate or on the second substrate; and display electrodes formed on the first substrate to extend in a direction intersecting with the address electrodes, the display electrodes including at least a pair of first display electrodes which are provided close to both peripheral portions of each discharge cell and a second display electrode provided between the first display electrodes to cross the discharge cell, and the second display electrode facing the first display electrodes on both sides to form at least two discharge gaps within each discharge cell.  
         [0015]     An opposing structure in which the first and second display electrodes oppose each other on one side of the discharge cell and another opposing structure in which the first and second display electrodes oppose each other on the other side of the discharge cell may be provided symmetrically with respect to a central line in the longitudinal direction of the second display electrode.  
         [0016]     Discharge gaps formed between the first and second display electrodes which oppose each other may include a first gap and a second gap which are different in length from each other, the first gap being greater than the second gap.  
         [0017]     The first gap may correspond to the center of the discharge cell in a widthwise direction.  
         [0018]     At least one of the first and second display electrodes may be formed of a bus electrode made of a metallic material.  
         [0019]     The first display electrodes may include a first electrode member and a second electrode member which are provided to correspond to each other on both sides of each discharge cell, and the second display electrode may include a third electrode member and a fourth electrode member which oppose the first electrode member and the second electrode member, respectively to form discharge gaps.  
         [0020]     The third and fourth electrode members may be connected to each other by a interconnecting bar at a portion corresponding to a central portion of the discharge cell.  
         [0021]     The first and second electrode members may be short-circuited at a terminal so that the substantially same signal voltage is applied to the first and second electrode members.  
         [0022]     The third and fourth electrode members may be short-circuited at a terminal so that the substantially same signal voltage is applied to the third and fourth electrode members.  
         [0023]     Different signal voltages may be applied to the first and second electrode members.  
         [0024]     Scan pulse voltages may be sequentially applied to the first display electrode during an address period.  
         [0025]     Scan pulse voltages may be sequentially applied to the second display electrode during an address period.  
         [0026]     The first display electrodes may include a first electrode member and a second electrode member which are provided to correspond to each other on both sides of each discharge cell, and the second display electrode may include a bus electrode and a transparent electrode which oppose the first electrode member and the second electrode member, respectively to form discharge gaps, the bus electrode passing through the center of the discharge cell and the transparent electrode extending towards the first display electrode from the bus electrode. The transparent electrode may correspond to the first display electrode to form discharge gaps.  
         [0027]     The first and second electrode members may be short-circuited at a terminal so that the substantially same signal voltage is applied to the first and second electrode members.  
         [0028]     Different signal voltages may be applied to the first and second electrode members.  
         [0029]     Scan pulse voltages may be sequentially applied to the first electrode members during an address period.  
         [0030]     According to an aspect of the present invention, the first display electrodes are formed of a first Y-electrode and a second Y-electrode which are provided to correspond to each other on both sides of each discharge cell, and the second display electrode are formed of a first X-electrode and a second X-electrode which are provided to correspond to a central portion of the discharge cell between the first Y-electrode and the second Y-electrode. Accordingly, the second display electrode is interposed between the first Y-electrode and the second Y-electrode.  
         [0031]     The first Y-electrode and the second Y-electrode are connected to the same terminal so that the same sustain discharge voltage can be applied to the first and second Y-electrodes.  
         [0032]     The first X-electrode and the second X-electrode are connected to the same terminal so that the same sustain discharge voltage can be applied to the first and second X-electrodes. Also, the first X-electrode and the second X-electrode are connected by a short bar formed in an extending direction of the address electrode at the center of the discharge cell.  
         [0033]     According to another aspect of the present invention, the first display electrodes are formed of a first Y-electrode and a second Y-electrode which are provided to correspond to each other on both sides of each discharge cell, and the second display electrode is formed of an X-electrode which is provided to correspond to a central portion of the discharge cell between the first Y-electrode and the second Y-electrode. Accordingly, the second display electrode is interposed between the first Y-electrode and the second Y-electrode.  
         [0034]     The first Y-electrode and the second Y-electrode are connected to the same terminal so that the same sustain discharge voltage can be applied to the first and second Y-electrodes.  
         [0035]     The X-electrode consists of a bus electrode, which passes through the center of the discharge cell, and a transparent electrode, which is provided to oppose the first display electrode and expands towards the first display electrode from the bus electrode.  
         [0036]     According to a further aspect of the present invention, the first display electrodes are formed of a first X-electrode and a second X-electrode which are provided to correspond to each other on both sides of each discharge cell, and the second display electrode is formed of a first Y-electrode and a second Y-electrode which are provided to correspond to a central portion of the discharge cell between the first X-electrode and the second X-electrode. Accordingly, the second display electrode is interposed between the first X-electrode and the second X-electrode.  
         [0037]     The first X-electrode and the second X-electrode are connected to the same terminal so that the same sustain discharge voltage can be applied to the first and second X-electrodes.  
         [0038]     The first Y-electrode and the second Y-electrode are connected to the same terminal so that the same sustain discharge voltage can be applied to the first and second Y-electrodes. Also, the first Y-electrode and the second Y-electrode are connected by a short bar formed in an extending direction of the address electrode at the center of the discharge cell.  
         [0039]     According to a further aspect of the present invention, the first display electrodes are formed of a first X-electrode and a second X-electrode which are provided to correspond to each other on both sides of each discharge cell, and the second display electrode is formed of a Y-electrode which is provided to correspond to a central portion of the discharge cell between the first X-electrode and the second X-electrode. Accordingly, the second display electrode is interposed between the first X-electrode and the second X-electrode.  
         [0040]     The first X-electrode and the second X-electrode are connected to the same terminal so that the same sustain discharge voltage can be applied to the first and second X-electrodes.  
         [0041]     The Y-electrode consists of a bus electrode, which passes through the center of the discharge cell, and a transparent electrode, which is provided to oppose the first display electrode and expands towards the first display electrode from the bus electrode.  
         [0042]     According to a further aspect of the present invention, the first display electrodes are formed of a first Y-electrode and a second Y-electrode which are provided to correspond to each other on both sides of each discharge cell, and the second display electrode is formed of a first X-electrode and a second X-electrode which are provided to correspond to a central portion of the discharge cell between the first Y-electrode and the second Y-electrode. Accordingly, the second display electrode is interposed between the first Y-electrode and the second Y-electrode.  
         [0043]     The first Y-electrode and the second Y-electrode are connected to different terminals so that different signal voltages can be applied to the first and second Y-electrodes, respectively.  
         [0044]     According to a further aspect of the present invention, the first display electrodes are formed of a first Y-electrode and a second Y-electrode which are provided to correspond to each other on both sides of each discharge cell, and the second display electrode is formed of an X-electrode which is provided to correspond to a central portion of the discharge cell between the first Y-electrode and the second Y-electrode. Accordingly, the second display electrode is interposed between the first Y-electrode and the second Y-electrode.  
         [0045]     The first Y-electrode and the second Y-electrode are connected to different terminals so that different signal voltages can be applied to the first and second Y-electrodes, respectively.  
         [0046]     According to a further aspect of the present invention, the first display electrodes are formed of a first X-electrode and a second X-electrode which are provided to correspond to each other on both sides of each discharge cell, and the second display electrode is formed of a first Y-electrode and a second Y-electrode which are provided to correspond to a central portion of the discharge cell between the first X-electrode and the second X-electrode. Accordingly, the second display electrode is interposed between the first X-electrode and the second X-electrode.  
         [0047]     The first X-electrode and the second X-electrode are connected to different terminals so that different signal voltages can be applied to the first and second X-electrodes, respectively.  
         [0048]     According to a further aspect of the present invention, the first display electrodes are formed of a first X-electrode and a second X-electrode which are provided to correspond to each other on both sides of each discharge cell, and the second display electrode is formed of a Y-electrode which is provided to correspond to a central portion of the discharge cell between the first X-electrode and the second X-electrode. Accordingly, the second display electrode is interposed between the first X-electrode and the second X-electrode.  
         [0049]     The first X-electrode and the second X-electrode are connected to different terminals so that different signal voltages can be applied to the first and second X-electrodes, respectively.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0050]      FIG. 1  is a partially exploded perspective view showing a PDP in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0051]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0052]      FIG. 3  is a partial plan view showing a PDP in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0053]      FIG. 4  is a partial plan view showing a PDP in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0054]      FIG. 5  is a partial plan view showing a PDP in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0055]      FIG. 6  is a partial plan view showing a PDP in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0056]      FIG. 7  is a partial plan view showing a PDP in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0057]      FIG. 8  is a partial plan view showing a PDP in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0058]      FIG. 9  is a partial plan view showing a PDP in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0059]      FIG. 10  is a partial plan view showing a PDP in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0060]     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like elements.  
         [0061]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the PDP according to the present invention has a surface-opposing structure in which a first substrate  1  (hereinafter referred to as ‘front substrate’) and a second substrate  3  (hereinafter referred to as ‘rear substrate’) oppose each other and are bonded together. A plurality of barrier ribs  5  are arranged between the front substrate  1  and the rear substrate  3  to form a partitioned plurality of discharge cells  7 R,  7 G,  7 B that can generate plasma discharge. The discharge cells  7 R,  7 G,  7 B are filled with Ne—Xe gas. Phosphor layers  9 R,  9 G,  9 B are formed by phosphor materials of R, G, and B primary colors on inner walls of respective discharge cells  7 R,  7 G,  7 B.  
         [0062]     Address electrodes  11  are formed extending along the y-axis direction on the rear substrate  3 , and are arranged at intervals corresponding to the discharge cells  7 R,  7 G,  7 B in the x-axis direction. Although the address electrodes  11  are provided on the rear substrate  3  in the present embodiment, the address electrodes  11  may be provided on the front substrate  1  or the barrier ribs  5 . Display electrodes  13 ,  15  are formed on the front substrate  1  to extend in the direction intersecting with the address electrodes  11 , i.e. in x-axis direction of  FIG. 1 . The adjacent display electrodes  13 ,  15  are provided at intervals corresponding to the discharge cells  7 R,  7 G,  7 B in the y-axis direction.  
         [0063]     The barrier ribs  5  provided between the front substrate  1  and the rear substrate  3  include a first barrier rib member  5   a  and a second barrier rib member  5   b  forming closed discharge cells  7 R,  7 G,  7 B. The first barrier rib member  5   a  is formed to extend in the y-axis direction and provided parallel to other neighboring first barrier rib members  5   a . The second barrier rib member  5   b  is formed to extend in the x-axis direction to intersect with the first barrier rib member  5   a  and provided parallel to other neighboring second barrier rib members  5   b . The closed and partitioned discharge cells  7 R,  7 G,  7 B required for plasma discharge are formed by the first and second barrier rib members  5   a  and  5   b.    
         [0064]     Although the present embodiment exemplifies a closed barrier rib structure in which the discharge cells  7 R,  7 G,  7 B are formed by intersecting the first and second barrier rib members  5   a  and  5   b  extending in the y-axis and x-axis directions to each other, the present invention can be applied to a stripe-shaped barrier rib structure in which only the first barrier rib member  5   a  is present, that is, there is no second barrier rib member  5   b . Further, in a case of using the first and second barrier rib members  5   a  and  5   b , the discharge cells  7 R,  7 G,  7 B may be formed in various shapes, such as octagon or hexagon, depending on the shape of the first barrier rib member  5   a.    
         [0065]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of  FIG. 1 . The address electrodes  11  are covered with a first dielectric layer  17  so that wall charges are formed in the discharge cells  7 R,  7 G,  7 B to thereby generate address discharge. In an exemplary embodiment the first dielectric layer  17  is formed of a white dielectric material to ensure reflectance of visible light.  
         [0066]     The display electrodes  13 ,  15  are provided in the direction intersecting with the address electrodes  11 . The display electrodes  13 ,  15  consist of a first display electrode  13  and a second display electrode  15  which oppose each other in the discharge cells  7 R,  7 G,  7 B, and are covered with the dielectric layer  19  and the MgO protective film  21 . Accordingly, the display electrodes  13 ,  15  generate address discharge together with the address electrode  11 , and then generate sustain discharge at two locations of each discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B.  
         [0067]      FIG. 3  is a partial plan view showing a PDP in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The first display electrodes  13  are provided to intersect with the address electrodes  11  on both sides of the discharge cells  7 R,  7 G,  7 B in the extending direction (y-axis direction) of the address electrode  11 . The second display electrodes  15  are provided between the first display electrodes  13  to correspond to the first display electrodes  13 . That is, a pair of first display electrodes  13  are provided on both sides of the discharge cells  7 R,  7 G,  7 B in the y-axis direction, and the second display electrodes  15  are provided between the first display electrodes  13  in parallel to the first display electrodes  13 .  
         [0068]     Accordingly, in case of address discharge, the address electrode  11  to which addressing voltage is applied and the first display electrode  13  to which a scan pulse is applied oppose each other at two locations of a single discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B. Thus, address discharge occurs at two locations of a single discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B or two times, thereby facilitating address discharge.  
         [0069]     In addition, the first display electrode  13  and the second display electrode  15  in an exemplary embodiment are symmetrically provided in the discharge cells  7 R,  7 G,  7 B. That is, in an exemplary embodiment an opposing structure of the first and second electrodes  13  and  15  formed on one side of the discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B is provided symmetrically to an opposing structure of the first and second electrodes  13  and  15  formed on the other side of the discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B. In more detail, the first display electrodes  13  and the second display electrode  15  are provided symmetrically to each other with respect to a virtual central line C (x-axis direction) in an extending direction (x-axis direction) of the second display electrodes  15 . Accordingly, since address discharge and sustain discharge occur at both locations separated from the central line C by equal distance in each discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B, the plasma density is increased and the uniformity of plasma density is improved, compared to a structure where discharge occurs at a single location of the discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B.  
         [0070]     In addition, a first gap (a) and a second gap (b) are formed at locations where the first and second display electrodes  13  and  15  correspond to each other. The first gap (a) is longer than the second gap (b). That is, the first gap (a) corresponds to the center of the discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B, while the second gap (b) corresponds to both sides of the first gap (a). As the address electrode  11  is formed to extend in the y-axis direction at the center of each discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B, the first gap (a) corresponding to a central portion of the discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B is longer than the second gap (b) corresponding to both sides of the first gap (a). A relatively longer gap of the first gap (a) compared to the second gap (b) causes plasma to diffuse on both sides of the long gap, resulting in maximization of the plasma density. Accordingly, the phosphor layer  9 R,  9 G,  9 B formed on both sides of the discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B is excited more effectively and the efficiency of visible light emission is improved.  
         [0071]     The first display electrodes  13  thus constructed are separately formed on both sides of each discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B, and the second display electrode  15  is integrally formed in the center of each discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B.  
         [0072]     Since the first display electrodes  13  are provided on both sides of the discharge cells  7 R,  7 G,  7 B, the first display electrode in an exemplary embodiment  13  is formed of a bus electrode made of a metallic material, such as aluminum, with an excellent electrical conductivity so that a scan pulse and a sustain discharge voltage are applied while minimizing blockage of visible light. Since the second display electrodes  15  are provided in the center of the discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B, the second display electrodes  15  in an exemplary embodiment are formed in a structure in which blockage of visible light can be minimized. For example, the second electrodes  15  may be formed of the same bus electrodes as the first display electrodes  13 , or may be formed of the bus electrodes and transparent electrodes. The transparent electrode in an exemplary embodiment is formed of a transparent Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) to ensure brightness. The bus electrodes of the first display electrode  13  are formed extending on both sides of the discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B. The bus electrode of the second display electrode  15  is formed extending to the center of the discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B. The transparent electrode of the second electrode  15  is formed to correspond to the first display electrode  13  and expands towards the first display electrode  13  from the bus electrode.  
         [0073]     In the PDP, a single frame is divided into a plurality of sub-fields and then driven. Each sub-field consists of a reset period, an address period, and a sustain period.  
         [0074]     Suitable voltages are applied to the first and second display electrodes  13  and  15  to drive the PDP, together with the address electrode  11 , during the reset period, address period, and sustain period. The first display electrodes  13  consist of first and second electrode members, and the second display electrodes  15  are integrally formed or consist of third and fourth electrode members.  
         [0075]     The first and second electrode members consist of first and second Y-electrodes (Y 1 , Y 2 ) in the first, second, fifth, and sixth embodiments (see  FIGS. 3, 4 ,  7 , and  8 ). The first and second electrode members consist of first and second X-electrodes (X 1 , X 2 ) in the third, fourth, seventh, and eighth embodiments (see  FIGS. 5, 6 ,  9 , and  10 ). The third and fourth electrode members consist of first and second X-electrodes (X 1 , X 2 ) in the first and fifth embodiments (see  FIGS. 3 and 7 ). The first and second electrode members consist of first and second Y-electrodes (Y 1 , Y 2 ) in the third and seventh embodiments (see  FIGS. 5 and 9 ). In addition, the second display electrode  15  consists of an integral X-electrode in the second and sixth embodiments (see  FIGS. 4 and 8 ), and consists of an integral Y-electrode in the fourth and eighth embodiments (see  FIGS. 6 and 10 ).  
         [0076]     That is, the first display electrode  13  is selectively used as an X- or Y-electrode. The X-electrode of the first display electrode  13  is used as the first X-electrode X 1  and the second X-electrode X 2 . The Y-electrode of the first display electrode  13  may be used as the first Y-electrode Y 1  and the second Y-electrode Y 2 . Also, the second display electrode  15  is selectively used as either the X- or Y-electrode. The X-electrode of the second display electrode  15  is used as the first X-electrode X 1  and the second X-electrode X 2 . The Y-electrode of the second display electrode  15  may be used as the first Y-electrode Y 1  and the second Y-electrode Y 2 .  
         [0077]     The first and second display electrodes  13 ,  15  can be implemented in various embodiments. The first embodiment is now set forth with reference to  FIG. 3 .  
         [0078]     According to the first embodiment, the first display electrodes  13  consist of the first and second electrode members, i.e. the first Y-electrode Y 1  and the second Y-electrode Y 2 , which are provided on both sides of each discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B. The second display electrodes  15  consist of the third and fourth electrode members, i.e. the first X-electrode X 1  and the second X-electrode X 2 , which are provided to correspond to a central portion of the discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B between the first Y-electrode Y 1  and the second Y-electrode Y 2 . Accordingly, the second display electrodes  15  oppose the first Y-electrode Y 1  and the second Y-electrode Y 2 , and discharge gaps are formed on both sides of the second display electrode  15 .  
         [0079]     The first Y-electrode Y 1  and the second Y-electrode Y 2  are connected to the same terminal TY. Thus, the same signal voltage is simultaneously applied to the first Y-electrode Y 1  and the second Y-electrode Y 2 . Reset discharge, address discharge, and sustain discharge are simultaneously generated on the discharge gaps of the discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B during the reset period, address period, and sustain period.  
         [0080]     Also, the first X-electrode X 1  and the second X-electrode X 2  are connected to the same terminal TX. The first X-electrode X 1  and second X-electrode X 2  are connected by a short bar  23  formed in an extending direction of the address electrode  11  in the center of the discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B. Thus, the same voltage is simultaneously applied to the first X-electrode X 1  and the second X-electrode X 2 , and the above-mentioned discharges occur simultaneously between the first X-electrode X 1  and the first Y-electrode Y 1 , and between the second X-electrode X 2  and the second Y-electrode Y 2 .  
         [0081]      FIG. 4  is a partial plan view showing a PDP in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is similar in the overall construction to the first embodiment and a detailed description of the different parts between the first and second embodiments will thus be given. Here, the first and second electrodes indicate the first Y-electrode Y 1  and the second Y-electrode Y 2 , respectively.  
         [0082]     According to the second embodiment, the second display electrodes  15  are formed of X-electrodes X corresponding to a central portion of the discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B between the first Y-electrode Y 1  and the second Y-electrode Y 2 . Thus, the X-electrode X is formed to be interposed between the first Y-electrode Y 1  and the second Y-electrode Y 2 .  
         [0083]     The X-electrode X is formed of a bus electrode Xb, which passes through the center of the discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B, and a transparent electrode Xa, which is formed to correspond to the first display electrode  13  and expands towards the first display electrode  13  from the bus electrode Xb. That is, both sides of the transparent electrode Xa corresponding to the first display electrode  13  in an exemplary embodiment are formed in the same shape as both corresponding sides of the first and second X-electrodes X 1  and X 2  of the first embodiment. The transparent electrode Xa enhances the aperture ratio of the discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B and thus improves brightness.  
         [0084]      FIG. 5  is a partial plan view showing a PDP in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is similar in the overall construction to the first embodiment and a detailed description of the different parts between the first and third embodiments will thus be given. Here, the first and second electrodes indicate the first X-electrode X 1  and the second X-electrode X 2 , respectively, and the third and fourth electrodes indicate the first Y-electrode Y 1  and the second Y-electrode Y 2 , respectively.  
         [0085]     According to the third embodiment, the first display electrodes  13  are formed of the first X-electrode X 1  and the second X-electrode X 2 , which are provided to correspond to each other on both sides of each discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B. The second display electrodes  15  are formed of the first Y-electrode Y 1  and the second Y-electrode Y 2 , which are provided to correspond to each other in a central portion of the discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B between the first X-electrode X 1  and the second X-electrode X 2 . Accordingly, the second display electrode  15  is formed to be interposed between the first X-electrode X 1  and the second X-electrode X 2 . The first X-electrode X 1  and the second X-electrode X 2  are connected to the same terminal TX. Accordingly, the same voltage is simultaneously applied to the first X-electrode X 1  and the second X-electrode X 2 . Reset discharge, address discharge, and sustain discharge are simultaneously generated on both sides of the discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B during the reset period, address period, and sustain period.  
         [0086]     Also, the first Y-electrode Y 1  and the second Y-electrode Y 2  are connected to the same terminal TY. The first Y-electrode Y 1  and second Y-electrode Y 2  are connected to a short bar  23  formed in an extending direction of the address electrode  11  in the center of the discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B. Thus, the same voltage is simultaneously applied to the first Y-electrode Y 1  and the second Y-electrode Y 2 , and the above-mentioned discharges occur simultaneously between the first Y-electrode Y 1  and the first X-electrode X 1 , and between the second Y-electrode Y 2  and the second X-electrode X 2 .  
         [0087]     Comparing the third embodiment to the first embodiment, the first display electrodes  13  and the second display electrodes  15  are interchanged with each other. Accordingly, voltages applied to the first display electrode  13  and the second display electrode  15  in the third embodiment are the same as voltages applied to the second display electrode  15  and the first display electrode  13  in the first embodiment.  
         [0088]      FIG. 6  is a partial plan view showing a PDP in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment is similar in the overall construction to the third embodiment and a detailed description of the different parts between the third and fourth embodiments will thus be given. Here, the first and second electrodes indicate the first X-electrode X 1  and the second X-electrode X 2 , respectively.  
         [0089]     According to the fourth embodiment, the second display electrodes  15  are formed of Y-electrodes Y corresponding to a central portion of the discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B between the first X-electrode X 1  and the second X-electrode X 2 . Thus, the Y-electrode Y is formed to be interposed between the first X-electrode X 1  and the second X-electrode X 2 .  
         [0090]     The Y-electrode Y is formed of a bus electrode Yb, which passes through the center of the discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B, and a transparent electrode Ya, which is formed to correspond to the first display electrode  13  and expands towards the first display electrode  13  from the bus electrode Yb. That is, both sides of the transparent electrode Ya corresponding to the first display electrode  13  in an exemplary embodiment are formed in the same shape as both corresponding sides of the first and second Y-electrodes Y 1  and Y 2  of the third embodiment. The transparent electrode Ya enhances the aperture ratio of the discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B and thus improves luminance.  
         [0091]      FIG. 7  is a partial plan view showing a PDP in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The fifth embodiment is similar in the overall construction to the first embodiment and a detailed description of the different parts between the first and fifth embodiments will thus be given. Here, the first and second electrodes indicate the first Y-electrode Y 1  and the second Y-electrode Y 2 , respectively, and the third and fourth electrodes indicate the first X-electrode X 1  and the second X-electrode X 2 , respectively.  
         [0092]     According to the fifth embodiment, the first display electrodes  13  are formed of the first Y-electrode Y 1  and the second Y-electrode Y 2 , which are provided to correspond to each other on both sides of each discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B. The first Y-electrode Y 1  and the second Y-electrode Y 2  are connected to different terminals TY 1  and TY 2 , respectively. Accordingly, different signal voltages may be applied to the first Y-electrode Y 1  and the second Y-electrode Y 2  simultaneously or during different periods (in a sequential manner). Also, reset discharge, address discharge, and sustain discharge may occur differently on both sides of the discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B during the reset period, address period, and sustain period.  
         [0093]      FIG. 8  is a partial plan view showing a PDP in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The sixth embodiment is similar in the overall construction to the second embodiment and a detailed description of the different parts between the second and sixth embodiments will thus be given. Here, the first and second electrodes indicate the first Y-electrode Y 1  and the second Y-electrode Y 2 , respectively.  
         [0094]     According to the sixth embodiment, the first display electrodes  13  are formed of the first Y-electrode Y 1  and the second Y-electrode Y 2 , which are provided to correspond to each other on both sides of each discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B. The first Y-electrode Y 1  and the second Y-electrode Y 2  are connected to different terminals TY 1  and TY 2 , respectively. Accordingly, as in the fifth embodiment, different signal voltages may be applied to the first Y-electrode Y 1  and the second Y-electrode Y 2  simultaneously or during different periods (in a sequential manner). Also, reset discharge, address discharge, and sustain discharge may occur differently on both sides of the discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B during the reset period, address period, and sustain period.  
         [0095]      FIG. 9  is a partial plan view showing a PDP in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The seventh embodiment is similar in the overall construction to the third embodiment and a detailed description of the different parts between the third and seventh embodiments will thus be given. Here, the first and second electrodes indicate the first X-electrode X 1  and the second X-electrode X 2 , respectively, and the third and fourth electrodes indicate the first Y-electrode Y 1  and the second Y-electrode Y 2 , respectively.  
         [0096]     According to the seventh embodiment, the first display electrodes  13  are formed of the first X-electrode X 1  and the second X-electrode X 2 , which are provided to correspond to each other on both sides of each discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B. The first X-electrode X 1  and the second X-electrode X 2  are connected to different terminals TY 1  and TY 2 , respectively.  
         [0097]      FIG. 10  is a partial plan view showing a PDP in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present invention. The eighth embodiment is similar in the overall construction to the fourth embodiment and a detailed description of the different parts between the fourth and eighth embodiments will thus be given. Here, the first and second electrodes indicate the first X-electrode X 1  and the second X-electrode X 2 , respectively.  
         [0098]     According to the eighth embodiment, the first display electrodes  13  are formed of the first X-electrode X 1  and the second X-electrode X 2 , which are provided to correspond to each other on both sides of each discharge cell  7 R,  7 G,  7 B. The first X-electrode X 1  and the second X-electrode X 2  are connected to different terminals TY 1  and TY 2 , respectively.  
         [0099]     As apparent from the above description, since the display electrodes includes first and second display electrodes and the first and second display electrodes are formed of the X-electrode and the Y-electrode in various manners, address discharge and sustain discharge occur on both sides of each discharge cell, thereby enhancing discharge efficiency and luminance.  
         [0100]     While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.