This paper describes a method for optimizing the circuit constants of a conventional sustain circuit and a novel sustain circuit with having a high recovery rate. First, we investigated the relationship between the rising time tr of the applied voltage pulse and the firing voltage Vf in the conventional circuit. Our results indicate that Vf depends on tr, and the most suitable inductance of the circuit can be chosen to lower the energy loss when its equivalent resistance is fixed. Secondly, we optimized the conditions of the sustain circuit that generates the voltage pulse which induces a self-erase gas discharge in the PDP. Finally, we present a novel sustain circuit, which has two inductors whose series and parallel connections can be altered during the rising time of the applied voltage pulse. This circuit makes Vf larger than in the conventional one, although the duration tr in this circuit is longer than that in the conventional one. Our new circuit reduces the energy loss to 82% of that with the conventional circuit.
