Abstract: A flat display panel (53) including a sandwich of thin film layers (52) with indices of refraction that increase the luminance and contrast of the display is disclosed. The sandwich of thin film layers (52), progressing backward from the front major surface of the sandwich, includes a front electrode layer (56), a front dielectric layer (58), a phosphor layer (60), a back dielectric layer (62), and a back electrode layer (64). The index of refraction of the front dielectric layer (58) is greater than or equal to the index of refraction of the phosphor layer (60), such that nearly all light rays projecting forward from the phosphor layer (60) pass into the front dielectric layer (58). The front electrode layer (56) can comprise relatively wide transparent strips, separated by small distances, or the front electrode layer (104) can comprise narrow strips (106) that are opaque and highly conductive.

Abstract: A laser scanned, flat panel display system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the display system comprises a display panel (54), a plurality of first mirrors (30), a plurality of second mirrors (50), a source of light (10), means for modulating the intensity of the light (12), and deflection means (14). The display panel includes a display surface that extends along X and Y axes. Each first mirror is located at a different position along the X axis, and has an elongated dimension normal to the X axis. Each second mirror is located at a different position along the Y axis, and includes an elongated dimension normal to the Y axis. The deflection means directs the light as a first beam (17) to a selected first reflection point (32) on one of the first mirrors, such that the first beam is reflected from the first reflection point as a second beam (18).