A vacuum fluorescent display operates like a flat cathode ray tube. Electrons emitted from a heated filament strike phosphor-coated anodes in a vacuum chamber, causing them to glow. They are highly legible, operate well in extreme temperatures, and were widely used in older automotive dashboards, point-of-sale terminals, and audio equipment.
Heard on the job
The VFD on the old spectrum analyzer is getting dim, so we might need to boost the filament voltage.
Also heard as
- vacuum fluorescent display
Related terms
Cathode ray tube
A vacuum tube containing one or more electron guns and a phosphorescent screen used to display images.
Cold cathode
A vacuum tube electrode that emits electrons without relying on a dedicated heating filament.
LCD
A flat-panel screen technology that uses liquid crystals to modulate light.