US 5,517,075 A · Field emission device with distinct sized apertures

Abstract

A size-arrayed emitter structure is disclosed for use in a field emission display device. The emitter structure is designed such that each emitter array (illustratively, an array comprising microtips 40 in a 5.times.5 matrix) has an emitter hole 52 size (critical dimension) distribution that is centered on the optimum hole critical dimension and extends past the point at which the emitter tip 40 will operate. If the manufacturing process varies and produces an actual critical dimension larger than the designed value, emitters with the designed critical dimensions smaller than optimal will shift toward optimal, and emitters with critical dimensions smaller than the minimum operating value will become operational, while emitters with designed critical dimensions larger than optimal will cease to function. Similarly, if the actual critical dimension is smaller than the designed value, emitters with the designed critical dimensions larger than optimal will shift toward optimal, and emitters with critical dimensions larger than the maximum operating value will become operational, while emitters with designed critical dimensions smaller than optimal will cease to function. This will result in a distribution of active emitters in each array that are centered on the optimal value and that extend from the minimum functional emitter critical dimension to the maximum functional emitter critical dimension. Where the number of emitter arrays per display pixel is relatively large, the critical dimension of all of the emitter holes within each array may be designed to be equal, and the totality of arrays within each pixel may be designed such that their emitter hole critical dimensions are centered on the optimum hole critical dimension and extend past the point at which the emitter tips will operate.

Claims14

Dependent claims

Electron emission apparatus comprising:

a first conductive layer;
an insulating layer on said first conductive layer;
a second conductive layer on said insulating layer, said second conductive layer having apertures extending therethrough and through said insulating layer;
means for applying a potential between said first and second conductive layers;
and
microtip emitters on said first conductive layer, each emitter formed within a corresponding one of said apertures in said second conductive layer, said apertures in said second conductive layer being formed of a plurality of distinct sizes, such that said potential applied between said first and second conductive layers produces electron emission from emitters within apertures of at least one but not all of said distinct sizes.

3 more elements

An electron emission display apparatus comprising:

an emitter structure including
an insulating substrate,
a first conductive layer on said substrate,
an insulating layer on said first conductive layer,
a second conductive layer on said insulating layer, said second conductive layer having apertures extending therethrough and through said insulating layer,
said apertures being grouped in arrays,
means for applying a first potential between said first and second conductive layers, and
microtip emitters on said first conductive layer, each emitter formed within a corresponding one of said apertures in said second conductive layer, said apertures in each array being formed of said plurality of distinct sizes, such that said first potential applied between said first and second conductive layers produces electron emission from emitters within apertures of at least one but not all of said distinct sizes in each array;
a display panel having a substantially planar face opposing said second conductive layer, said display panel including an anode electrode with a cathodoluminescent coating on said planar face;
and
means for applying a second potential between said anode electrode and said second conductive layer.

8 more elements

Electron emission apparatus comprising:

an insulating substrate;
a conductor formed as a mesh structure on said substrate, said mesh structure defining mesh spaces;
a layer of an electrically resistive material on said substrate overlaying said mesh structure;
an insulating layer on said layer of electrically resistive material;
a conductive layer on said insulating layer, said conductive layer having apertures extending therethrough and through said insulating layer within a mesh space;
means for applying a potential between said mesh structure and said conductive layer;
and
microtip emitters on said layer or electrically resistive material, each emitter formed within a corresponding one of said apertures in said conductive layer, said apertures in said conductive layer being formed of a plurality of distinct sizes, such that said potential applied between said mesh structure and said conductive layer produces electron emission from emitters within apertures of at least one but not all of said distinct sizes.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Field emission device with distinct sized apertures

Life of this patent

Field emission device with distinct sized apertures

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14