Electron emission device with specific island-like regions

A method of manufacturing an electron emission device having a plurality of island-like regions where thicknesses of an insulator layer and a thin-film metal electrode gradually decrease, said method comprising the steps of:

• forming an electron-supply layer on a substrate;
• spraying a plurality of minute particles onto the electron-supply layer;
• depositing an insulator material on the electron-supply layer and the minute particles, thereby forming a thin insulator layer;
• and
• forming a thin-film metal electrode on the insulator layer and the minute particles, thereby forming island-like regions around a contact surface under the minute particles.

A method of manufacturing an electron emission device having a plurality of island-like regions where thicknesses of an insulator layer and a thin-film metal electrode gradually decrease, said method comprising the steps of:

• forming an electron-supply layer on a substrate;
• forming electrically insulative inverse tapered blocks each protruding in a direction normal to the substrate and each having an overhang portion, at an upper portion thereof, protruding in a direction parallel to the substrate;
• depositing an insulator on the electron-supply layer, thereby forming a thin insulator layer;
• and
• forming a thin-film metal electrode on the insulator layer, thereby forming island-like regions around a contact surface under the inverse tapered blocks.

An electron emission display device comprising:

• a pair of a first substrate and an optically transparent second substrate opposing to each other with a vacuum space interposed therebetween;
• a plurality of electron emission devices formed on said first substrate, each of which including an electron-supply layer made of a semiconductor material, a metal compound or metal formed on ohmic electrodes formed on said first substrate, an insulator layer formed on said electron-supply layer, and a thin-film metal electrode formed on said insulator layer and facing the vacuum space, wherein the insulator layer and the thin-film metal have a plurality of island-like regions where thicknesses of both the insulator layer and the thin-film metal electrode gradually decrease;
• a collector electrode formed on said second substrate;
• and
• a fluorescent material layer formed on said collector electrode and facing the vacuum space.