Multi-compartment getter-containing flat-panel device

A flat-panel device comprising:

• a main compartment formed with a first plate structure and a second plate structure situated opposite to, and coupled to, the first plate structure;
• an auxiliary compartment (a) formed with an auxiliary wall coupled to the first plate structure and (b) connected pressure-wise to the main compartment through at least one opening through the first plate structure so that the two compartments reach largely equal steady-state compartment pressures;
• a getter situated in the auxiliary compartment;
• and
• additional component material situated over the first plate structure outside the compartments, the additional component material comprising control circuitry, the auxiliary wall not extending significantly further away from the first plate structure than the additional component material.

A flat-panel device comprising:

• a main compartment comprising a first plate structure, a second plate structure, and a generally annular outer wall that extends between the plate structures;
• an auxiliary compartment situated over the first plate structure outside the main compartment and 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;
• and
• control circuitry situated over the first plate structure outside the compartments, the auxiliary compartment 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;
• and
• a pump-out port connected directly to the auxiliary compartment, extending approximately parallel to the first plate structure, and, when closed, not extending significantly laterally beyond the first plate structure.

A flat-panel device comprising:

• a main compartment formed with a first plate structure and a second plate structure situated opposite to, and coupled to, the first plate structure;
• an auxiliary compartment (a) formed with an auxiliary wall coupled to the first plate structure and (b) connected pressure-wise to the main compartment through at least one opening through the first plate structure 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, the pump-out port extending approximately parallel to the first plate structure;
• and
• additional component material situated over the first plate structure outside the compartments, the auxiliary wall not extending significantly further away from the first plate structure than the additional component material.

A flat-panel device comprising:

• a main compartment formed with a first plate structure and a second plate structure situated opposite to, and coupled to, the first plate structure;
• an auxiliary compartment (a) formed with an auxiliary wall coupled to the first plate structure and (b) connected pressure-wise to the main compartment through at least one opening through the first plate structure 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 transformed locally through the auxiliary wall;
• and
• additional component material situated over the first plate structure outside the compartments, the auxiliary wall not extending significantly further away from the first plate structure than the additional component material.