Method for improving uniformity of emission current of a field emission device

A method for improving uniformity of emission current of a field emission device (100) comprising the steps of:

• providing a first carbon nanotube (119) and a second carbon nanotube (118), wherein the first carbon nantotube (119) is characterized by a first emission current capability and the second carbon nanotube (118) is characterized by a second emission current capability, and wherein the first emission current capability is greater than the second emission current capability;
• hermetically sealing the field emission device (100);
• causing the first carbon nanotube (119) to be reduced in length at a first rate subsequent to the step of hermitically sealing the field emission device (100);
• and
• concurrent with the step of causing the first carbon nanotube (119) to be reduced in length at a first rate, causing the second carbon nanotube (118) to be reduced in length at a second rate, wherein the first rate is greater than the second rate, thereby reducing the difference between the second emission current capability and the first emission current capability;
• wherein the first carbon nanotube (119) defines an end (123), wherein the first and second carbon nanotubes (119, 118) define an electron emitter (116), wherein the steps of causing the first carbon nanotube (119) to be reduced in length at a first rate and causing the second carbon nanotube (118) to be reduced in length at a second rate comprise the step of causing a burn-in electron current to be emitted by the electron emitter (116), and wherein the burn-in electron current is sufficient to cause removal of carbon from the end (123) of at least the first carbon nanotube (119).