Each discharge in a DIAC Display generates a current pulse that flows through an LED or OLED. A DIAC illumination cell is a series circuit. 100% of each current pulse flows through the light emitting element. In contrast, the operation of a plasma display places the discharge current between its transparent front glass and the light emitting phosphor. In theory, only 50% of the gas excitation energy is directed to the phosphor to emitting visible light. A large portion of the remaining energy supports neon ionization, a non-light producing, energy loss.
DIAC displays can be designed to operate a much lower voltages than plasma displays while still using the energy recovery methods of plasma; yielding much lower dark screen power consumption.
Combine these benefits with ongoing improvements in LED and OLED efficiency and it is clear that DIAC displays offer an energy efficient alternative to competing display technologies.