Abstract: A plurality of row electrode pairs and a dielectric layer are formed on a front glass substrate. A plurality of column electrodes forming discharge cells at the intersections with the row electrode pairs in a discharge space is formed on one of a back glass substrate and the front glass substrate. Each of the discharge cells is defined and separated from another discharge cell adjacent thereto in the column direction by a transverse wall of the partition wall provided between the front glass substrate and the back glass substrate. A black- or dark-colored light absorption layer facing the front glass substrate is formed in each non-light emission area including the transverse walls in the discharge space.

Abstract: A method for driving a display panel with which the dark contrast can be improved is provided. Each of at least two successive sub-fields including a leading sub-field includes a selective write addressing step for setting the discharge cells to a lighted discharge cell mode by selectively causing a writing discharge in the discharge cells in accordance with the video signal. The sub-fields following at least two sub-fields include a selective erasure addressing step for setting the discharge cells to an unlighted discharge cell mode by selectively causing an erasing discharge in the discharge cells in accordance with the video signal and an emission sustain step for repeatedly causing a sustain discharge corresponding to a weighting of that sub-field only in the discharge cells that are in the lighted discharge cell mode.

Abstract: A display panel device includes a plurality of row electrode pairs and a plurality of column electrodes. Each row electrode pair includes a first and second electrodes. Unit light emission areas are formed at intersections of the row electrode pairs and the column electrodes. Each unit light emission area includes a first discharge cell and a second discharge cell. The second discharge cell includes a light-absorbing layer and secondary electron emission material layer. When driving the display panel device, sustain discharge responsible for light emission governing the display image is induced in the first discharge cells, whereas reset discharge and address discharge accompanied by light emission not contributing to the display image is induced in the second discharge cells.