Advances in new display technology (Panel Session)

New display technology has made some significant strides forward in the last few years. Although the CRT remains the most prevalent display device, accounting for over 85% of all installations, flat-panel matrix displays are becoming an increasingly significant factor in this area. The most important advances have been in thin film electroluminescence, gas discharge panels, and liquid crystal displays. In addition, light emitting diodes have shown improvements in light output and efficiency, and some recent work in electrophoretics give some promise that this technology will lead to viable display devices. Also, older technologies such as incandescent, vacuum flourescent, and electromechanical are still with us, and continue to be useful in many applications, the first where very high luminance is required, the second in such applications as automobile dashboards, and the third in various outdoor and large board installations. Finally, the CRT, not to be outdone by its rivals, has come up with improvements in performance, and with the flat tube versions in form factors that compete with those offered by the matrix displays. All of these advances will be discussed by the members of this panel.