Electron source and image forming apparatus

Abstract

There are provided an electron source apparatus capable of suppressing variations in electron emission state from electron-emitting devices even with an arrangement using spacers (9), and an image forming apparatus using the electron source apparatus. A plurality of row-direction wiring lines (8) and a plurality of column-direction wiring lines (6) are formed on a substrate (1) so as to cross each other. An electron-emitting device made up of device electrodes (2, 3), a conductive film (4), and an electron-emitting portion 5 is formed at each intersection between the row-direction wiring line (8) and the column-direction wiring line (6). The spacers (9) are arranged on some of the row-direction wiring lines (8). The column-direction wiring lines (6) are respectively connected to controlled constant current sources (221a, 221b, 221c) serving as current sources capable of outputting desired current values. The respective row-direction wiring lines (8) are connected to a voltage application means constituted by a voltage source (223) and a switching circuit (222) for selecting the row-direction wiring lines (8) while sequentially scanning them.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.