Method for affixing spacers within a flat panel display

A method for affixing a plurality of spacers within a flat panel display having first and second display plates, the method including the steps of:

• providing a plurality of members, the plurality of members having a uniform height within a range of 0.1-3 millimeters, having a width within a range of 25-250 micrometers, being made from a dielectric material, and having first and second edges;
• coating the first edge of each of the plurality of members with a metal to provide a first bonding layer;
• forming a metallic bonding pad on an inner surface of the first display plate;
• providing a metallic compliant member;
• forming a first metallic bond between the metallic compliant member and the first bonding layer;
• and
• forming a second metallic bond between the metallic compliant member and the metallic bonding pad
• thereby providing a compliant region between the first edge and the inner surface of the first display plate.

A flat panel display including:

• a first display plate having an inner surface;
• a second display plate having an inner surface opposing and being spaced apart from the inner surface of the first display plate;
• a spacer having first and second edges, the first edge physically contacting the inner surface of the first display plate so that the spacer is disposed perpendicularly with respect to the first display plate, the spacer having a height within a range of 0.1-3 millimeters and a width within a range of 25-250 micrometers;
• and
• a metallic compliant member being disposed between the second display plate and the second edge of the spacer, the metallic compliant member physically contacting the spacer and the inner surface of the second display plate, the inner surface of the second display plate being spaced from the second edge of the spacer to provide a spacing of at least 1 micrometers
• whereby the metallic compliant member provides compliance between the second display plate and the second edge of the spacer and prevents chipping and breakage of the spacer and of the first and second display plates.