Multi-compartment getter-containing flat-panel device

A flat-panel device comprising:

• a main compartment formed with a first plate structure, a second plate structure, and a generally annular outer wall that extends between the plate structures;
• an auxiliary compartment situated outside the main compartment, the auxiliary compartment formed with an auxiliary wall that contacts the first plate structure outside the main compartment, extends away from the first plate structure and main compartment, bends back towards the second plate structure, and contacts the second plate structure outside the main compartment, the auxiliary compartment connected pressure-wise to the main compartment so that the two compartments reach largely equal steady-state compartment pressures, the auxiliary wall comprising (a) a unitary first section comprising a plate-like portion and an annular wall portion having a first edge that merges into the first plate-like portion along its perimeter edge, the annular wall portion being of approximately constant height, and (b) a unitary partially annular second section having an edge joined to the annular wall portion along a second edge thereof opposite the first edge;
• and
• a getter situated in the auxiliary compartment.

A flat-panel device comprising:

• a main compartment formed with a first plate structure, a second plate structure, and a generally annular outer wall that extends between the plate structures;
• an auxiliary compartment situated outside the main compartment, the auxiliary compartment formed with an auxiliary wall that contacts the first plate structure outside the main compartment, extends away from the first plate structure and main compartment, bends back towards the second plate structure, and contacts the second plate structure outside the main compartment, the auxiliary compartment connected pressure-wise to the main compartment so that the two compartments reach largely equal steady-state compartment pressures;
• a getter situated in the auxiliary compartment at a location suitable for being activated by light energy transferred locally through the auxiliary wall;
• and
• control circuitry situated over the first plate structure outside the compartments, the auxiliary wall not extending significantly further away from the first plate structure than the control circuitry.

A flat-panel device comprising:

• a main compartment formed with a first plate structure, a second plate structure, and a generally annular outer wall that extends between the plate structures;
• an auxiliary compartment situated outside the main compartment, the auxiliary compartment formed with an auxiliary wall that contacts the first plate structure outside the main compartment, extends away from the first plate structure and main compartment, bends back towards the second plate structure, and contacts the second plate structure outside the main compartment, the auxiliary compartment connected pressure-wise to the main compartment so that the two compartments reach largely equal steady-state compartment pressures;
• a getter situated in the auxiliary compartment;
• a plurality of spacer walls extending generally parallel to one another between the plate structures and extending generally perpendicular to the getter;
• and
• control circuitry situated over the first plate structure outside the compartments, the auxiliary wall not extending significantly further away from the first plate structure than the control circuitry.

A flat-panel device comprising:

• a main compartment formed with a first plate structure, a second plate structure, and a generally annular outer wall that extends between the plate structures;
• an auxiliary compartment situated outside the main compartment, the auxiliary compartment formed with an auxiliary wall that contacts the it plate structure outside the main compartment, extends away from the first plate structure and main compartment, bends back towards the second plate structure, and contacts the second plate structure outside the main compartment, the auxiliary compartment connected pressure-wise to the main compartment so that the two compartments reach largely equal steady-state compartment pressures;
• a getter situated in the auxiliary compartment, the getter comprising a piece of non-evaporable gettering material;
• and
• control circuitry situated over the first plate structure outside the compartments, the auxiliary wall not extending significantly further away from the first plate structure than the control circuitry.

A flat-panel device comprising:

• a main compartment formed with a first plate structure, a second plate structure, and a generally annular outer wall that extends between the plate structures;
• an auxiliary compartment situated outside the main compartment, the auxiliary compartment formed with an auxiliary wall that contacts the first plate structure outside the main compartment, extends away from the first plate structure and main compartment, bends back towards the second plate structure, and contacts the second plate structure outside the main compartment, the auxiliary compartment connected pressure-wise to the main compartment so that the two compartments reach largely equal steady-state compartment pressures, the auxiliary wall comprising (a) a unitary first section comprising a plate-like portion and an annular wall portion having a first edge that merges into the first plate-like portion along its perimeter edge, the annular wall portion being of approximately constant height and (b) a unitary partially annular second section having an edge joined to the annular wall portion along a second edge thereof opposite the first edge;
• a getter situated in the auxiliary compartment;
• and
• control circuitry situated over the first plate structure outside the compartments, the auxiliary wall not extending significantly further away from the first plate structure than the control circuitry.

A flat-panel device comprising:

• a main compartment formed with a first plate structure, a second plate structure, and a generally annular outer wall that extends between the plate structures;
• an auxiliary compartment situated outside the main compartment, the auxiliary compartment formed with an auxiliary wall that contacts the first plate structure outside the main compartment extends away from the first plate structure and main compartment, bends back towards the second plate structure, and contacts the second plate structure outside the main compartment, the auxiliary compartment connected pressure-wise to the main compartment so that the two compartments reach largely equal steady-state compartment pressures;
• a getter situated in the auxiliary compartment;
• a pump-out port connected pressure-wise to the auxiliary compartment, extending approximately parallel to the first plate structure, and, when closed, not extending significantly laterally beyond the first plate structure;
• and
• control circuitry situated over the first plate structure outside the compartments, the auxiliary wall not extending significantly further away from the first plate structure than the control circuitry.