Matrix phosphor cold cathode display employing ion activated phosphors

A display comprising:

• v. a substrate;
• vi. a plurality of electrically addressable pixels supported on said substrate;
• vii. a conductive frame supported on said substrate;
• and,
• viii. a plurality of cold cathode emitters positioned on said pixel and operative to emit electrons when an associated pixel is addressed, a phosphor on said pixel and operative to emit light when energized;
• ix. means for exciting said conductive frame and addressing one of said pixels to cause said emitters to emit electrons which are attracted to said frame and which collide with gas atoms to produce ions which ions are attracted to said pixel to cause said pixel to emit light.

A flat panel display comprising:

• a gas;
• and a means for disposing nanotubes on a plurality of associated pixels having a phosphor thereon;
• such that if a pixel voltage is negative relative to the frame then a plurality of electrons emitted by the nanotubes are attracted to the frame whereby electrons strike gas atoms in transit to the frame and produce ions and additional electrons;
• wherein said ions returning to the pixel result in phosphor illumination.

A process for illuminating a phosphor in a flat panel display comprising:

• disposing nanotubes on a plurality of associated pixels having a phosphor;
• applying a pixel voltage negative relative to a frame;
• attracting to the frame a plurality of electrons emitted by the nanotubes;
• whereby electrons strike atoms of a gas in transit to the frame thereby producing ions and additional electrons;
• wherein said ions returning to the pixel result in phosphor illumination.

A method for increasing the brightness of an image of a flat panel display comprising;

• disposing nanotubes on each of a plurality of associated pixels;
• applying a pixel voltage negative relative to a frame;
• attracting to the frame a plurality of electrons emitted by the nanotubes;
• whereby electrons strike atoms of an ionizing gas atoms in transit to the frame thereby producing ions and additional electrons;
• wherein said ions returning to the pixel increasing the brightness of a displayed image.