Low temperature method for evacuating and sealing field emission displays

A method for evacuating and sealing a field emission display package, comprising:

• providing a first plate and a second plate;
• applying a seal material in a peripheral pattern to the first plate, the seal material comprising indium;
• placing the second plate on the seal material to form a space at least partially defined by the seal material, the first plate, and the second plate;
• evacuating the space through a flow path provided by non-conformance of the seal material to surfaces on the first or second plates;
• heating the seal material to a temperature between about 50.degree. C. to 75.degree. C. during the evacuating step;
• and
• compressing the seal material during the evacuating step.

A method for evacuating and sealing a field emission display package, comprising:

• providing a first plate and a second plate;
• forming a seal perimeter on the second plate, the seal perimeter comprising glass frit;
• applying a seal material in a peripheral pattern to a surface of the first plate or to the seal perimeter, the seal material comprising indium;
• placing the first plate and the second plate together in a reaction chamber with the seal material in contact with the surface and with the seal perimeter, to at least partially define a space;
• reducing a pressure within the reaction chamber to evacuate the space through a flow path provided by non-conformance of the seal material to the surface and the seal perimeter;
• and
• heating the reaction chamber during the reducing step to a temperature of from about 125.degree. C. to 150.degree. C.

A method for evacuating and sealing a field emission display package, comprising:

• providing a first plate and a second plate;
• applying a seal material in a peripheral pattern to the first plate, the seal material comprising indium;
• placing the second plate on the seal material to form a space defined by the seal material, the first plate, and the second plate;
• providing a flow path to the space, the flow path formed by non-conformance of the seal material to surfaces on the first plate or the second plate;
• placing the first plate and the second plate in a reaction chamber while maintaining the flow path;
• reducing a pressure within the reaction chamber to evacuate the space through the flow path;
• heating the reaction chamber during the reducing step to a temperature between about 50.degree. C. to 75.degree. C.;
• and
• compressing the seal material during the heating step.

A method for evacuating and sealing a field emission display package, comprising:

• providing a first plate and a second plate;
• applying a seal material to the first plate in a peripheral pattern, the seal material comprising indium;
• placing the second plate on the seal material to form a space defined by the seal material, the first plate, and the second plate;
• placing a getter within the space;
• providing a flow path to the space, the flow path formed by non-conformance of the seal material to surfaces on the first plate or the second plate;
• evacuating the space through the flow path;
• and
• following the evacuating step, activating the getter using laser energy or RF energy.