How does a vaccum fluorescent display work?
A vacuum fluorescent display is like a triode vacuum tube, having anodes, grid, and cathode filament. For example, each segment of a seven-segment character will be a separate anode. Grid voltage creates an electron flow from filament to anodes. The electrons go to those segments given a positive potential, and fluoresce a phosphor coating. Segments that are given a negative potential do not receive electrons, and do not light up. The different lit/unlit segments allow a character to be seen. Go to this webpage, www.futaba-na.com/VFD/vfdframe.htm if you want more technical details of operation.
