Triode structure flat panel display employing flat field emission cathode

A method of operation of a flat panel display, comprising the steps of:

• electrically energizing a plurality of corresponding light-emitting anodes and field-emission cathodes, each of said anodes emitting light in response to electron emission from each of said corresponding cathodes, each of said cathodes including a layer of low work function material having a relatively flat exposed emission surface comprising a plurality of distributed localized electron emission sites located on said relatively flat exposed emission surface a distance away from edges of said relatively flat exposed emission surface;
• and
• positioning a grid assembly between said corresponding anodes and cathodes to thereby control emission levels to said anodes from said corresponding cathodes.

A flat panel display, comprising:

• a plurality of discrete field-emission cathodes, each of said discrete cathodes including a layer of low work function material disposed to form a relatively flat exposed emission surface comprising a plurality of distributed localized electron emission sites located on said relatively flat exposed emission surface a distance away from edges of said relatively flat exposed emission surface;
• and
• a conductive layer disposed over said plurality of discrete cathodes, said conductive layer having apertures therein, each of said apertures corresponding to each of said discrete cathodes, edges of said apertures located substantially above edges of said discrete cathodes.

A flat panel display, comprising:

• a plurality of corresponding light-emitting anodes and field-emission cathodes, each of said anodes emitting light in response to electron emission from each of said corresponding cathodes, each of said cathodes including a layer of low work function material having a relatively flat emission surface comprising a plurality of distributed localized electron emission sites, wherein said layer of low work function material is amorphic diamond film;
• and
• a grid assembly positioned between said corresponding anodes and cathodes to thereby control emission levels to said anodes from said corresponding cathodes.

A method of operation of a flat panel display, comprising the steps of:

• electrically energizing a plurality of corresponding light-emitting anodes and field-emission cathodes, each of said anodes emitting light in response to electron emission from each of said corresponding cathodes, each of said cathodes including a layer of low work function material having a relatively flat emission surface, wherein said layer of low work function material is amorphic diamond film;
• and
• positioning a grid assembly between said corresponding anodes and cathodes to thereby control emission levels to said anodes from said corresponding cathodes.

A flat panel display, comprising:

• a plurality of discrete field-emission cathodes, each of said discrete cathodes including a layer of low work function material disposed to form a relatively flat emission surface, wherein said layer of low work function material is amorphic diamond film;
• and
• a conductive layer disposed over said plurality of discrete cathodes, said conductive layer having apertures therein, each of said apertures corresponding to each of said discrete cathodes, edges of said apertures located substantially above edges of said discrete cathodes.