CHAPTER 1
 INTRODUCTION

 Though the standard cathode ray tubes (CRTs) have been and remain the dominant

color displays, more and more attention has been turned towards the development of flat

panel display (FPD) such as field emission displays (FEDs), plasma displays (PDs),

liquid crystal displays (LCDs), and electroluminescent displays (ELDs). The 1992 FPD

market was dominated by LCDs (91%), while PDs (7%) and ELDs (2%) competed only

in niche markets. Though LCDs (85%) were still projected to dominate the overall

market in 2003, ELDs are expected to grow to 8% while PDs should remain at 7% [1].

 The FPD technologies can be classified into two categories. One is non-emissive,

of which LCDs are typical examples. However, LCDs have many inherent problems due

to their organic nature, such as limited temperature tolerance, limited viewing angle and

insufficient contrast, etc. The other is emissive displays, which include FED, PD and

ELD. Because of their solid-state instead of liquid-state constructions, these devices have

a much wider viewing angle, higher contrast, larger operation temperature range, better

ruggedness and longer life span than non-emissive displays. Of these, ELDs are the most

prevalent displays [2]. More specifically, thin film EL displays have several qualities that

make them particularly attractive for small to midsize flat panel displays. A wider

viewing angle (>80), broader operating temperatures (-25C-60C), higher contrast,

being more shock and vibration resistant make thin film EL displays the longest lasting,

most reliable flat panel display technology on the market by now.