Abstract:
An electroluminescent (EL) display is formed on a ceramic substrate having a front ceramic surface and a back ceramic surface. The ceramic substrate includes a metal core that provides structural support, electrical ground, and heat dissipation. EL cells (20) are mounted on the front ceramic surface (31) and driver circuits (10) for driving the EL cells (20) are mounted on the back ceramic surface (31). The driver circuits (10) are positioned directly behing said EL cells. Connectors (27) extend through said ceramic substrate and the EL cells to different driver circuits. By positioning the driver circuits close to the EL cells, the drive lines from the drivers to the EL cells are short which allows for high refresh rates and low resistance losses. Each of the driver circuits can drive one EL cell or a group of EL cells. EL display cells coupled to a cermet electrode can also be driven by a field emission device (110) or a low power electron beam (140).