A plasma display utilizing a radio frequency (rf) microdischarge has been proposed and investigated with respect to its discharge characteristics and display performances. In order to generate a low electric field between electrodes, a relatively large spacing of 1 mm and a high driving frequency of 40 MHz were selected. A 4 in. prototype plasma display with red-green-blue phosphors was fabricated. Except for the fabrication of the barrier rib, conventional manufacturing processes used in ac plasma display panel were applied to fabricate a test panel. The white luminance was over 2000 cd/m(2) in a Ne-5% Xe composition at 400 Torr. The efficiency of the panel was over 4 1m/W, which is comparable to that of a typical cathode-ray tube. The panel also showed good color purity due to the absence of Ne emission. A 36 gray level image was demonstrated using an address and rf sustained-period separated driving scheme. (C) 2003 American Vacuum Society.