The analytical solution of Laplace's equation with a symmetric potential profile has been obtained for investigating the breakdown criteria between the sustaining electrodes in the coplanar AC-type plasma display panel. Using this solution, Paschen's Law has been analyzed along the various discharge paths in the panel space using various sustaining electrode gap distances.

Striations are observed only in coplanar or wedge-shaped planar AC-type discharges. On the basis of the observation results, striations are analyzed and discovered to be related to the ion waves generated by the self-sustained perturbations during the force-balancing process between ion and electron wall charge clouds accumulated on the dielectric layer over the metal electrodes.