Methods and apparatus for providing an optically enhancing/noise suppressing device for plasma display panels

The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for enhancing the performance of visual display units which utilize plasma display panels. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and apparatus for providing an optically enhancing/noise suppressing device for positioning in front of the viewing surface of a plasma display panel. The device also increases the impact resistance of the PDP. The device of the present invention is manufactured separately from the PDP. The device may be provided with attachment means for securing the device to the surface of the visual display unit in a position in front of the viewing surface of the PDP or may be designed to be free-hanging, i.e., suspended or otherwise positioned in front of the viewing surface of the PDP. In its most basic embodiment, the device of the present invention comprises multiple layers of different materials including at least one plastic substrate layer for impact resistance, an optically selective coating providing high photopic transmittance, continuous high electrical conductivity for RFI shielding, and reflectivity specifically within the near-IR region, and an IR absorbing coating for absorbing IR energy emissions. In a preferred embodiment, the IR absorbing coating constitutes a dye material which is preferably selected to also be color-correcting with respect to the particular PDP.