Low voltage nanoscale vacuum electronic devices

A photodetector, comprising:

• a transparent first conducting layer,
• a second conducting layer;
• and
• an insulating layer provided between the first conducting layer and the second conducting layer;
• wherein the photodetector includes a void channel defining at least one side wall that extends from the insulating layer to the second conducting layer and that includes at least a portion of the second conducting layer and the insulating layer.

A spectral sensing device, comprising:

• a transparent first conducting layer including a conductive material having a plurality of apertures provided therein;
• a second conducting layer;
• and
• an insulating layer provided between the first conducting layer and the second conducting layer;
• wherein the spectral sensing device includes a void channel defining at least one side wall that extends from the insulating layer to the second conducting layer and that includes at least a portion of the second conducting layer and the insulating layer.

A photovoltaic cell, comprising:

• a transparent first conducting layer;
• a light absorbing second conducting layer attached to a metal Ohmic contact layer;
• and
• an insulating layer provided between the first conducting layer and the second conducting layer,
• wherein the photovoltaic cell includes a void channel defining at least one side wall that extends from the insulating layer to the second conducting layer and that includes at least a portion of the second conducting layer and the insulating layer.

An electron source device, comprising:

• a first conducting layer having an aperture provided therein;
• a second conducting layer;
• and
• an insulating layer provided between the first conducting layer and the second conducting layer;
• wherein the electron source device includes a void channel defining at least one side wall that extends from the insulating layer to the second conducting layer and that includes at least a portion of the second conducting layer and the insulating layer, and wherein the aperture is aligned with and provide over the void channel.

A field emission display device, comprising:

• a light emitting layer made of a material that emits light in response to electron excitation;
• a transparent first conducting layer provided on a first surface of the light emitting layer;
• a second conducting layer;
• and
• an insulating layer provided between the light emitting layer and the second conducting layer;
• wherein the field emission display device includes a void channel defining at least one side wall that extends from the insulating layer to the second conducting layer and that includes at least a portion of the second conducting layer and the insulating layer.