Field-emission matrix display based on electron reflections

A reflective field edge emission display (FED) system comprising:

• a FED display comprising:
• a plurality of reflective edge emission pixel elements arranged in a matrix of N rows and M columns, each of said pixel elements containing an emitter element and a reflector element, said reflector element operable to reflect electrons extracted from said emitter element and;
• a transparent electrode layer, oppositely positioned to and electrically isolated from said plurality of pixel elements, operable to attract said reflected electrons,
• at least one phosphor layer deposited on said transparent electrode layer positioned between said transparent electrode layer and said pixel elements;
• a row controller operable to apply a known value of a first potential to selected ones of said N rows of associated emitter elements;
• a column controller operable to apply a constant portion of said first potential to selected ones of said M columns;
• means to select at least one of said N rows and at least one of said M columns;
• and
• means to selectively apply a second potential to said transparent electrode layer.

A method for fabricating a reflective FED pixel element comprising the steps of:

• depositing on a first substrate;
• at least one reflective layer having a high efficiency of electron reflection;
• an insulating layer on said reflective layer;
• an emitter layer on said insulating layer;
• etching a well through said deposited emitter and insulating layers to expose said at least one reflective layer such that said emitter layer has at least one edge that extends into said well;
• depositing on a transparent substrate;
• a transparent layer having a high electrical conductivity;
• at least one phosphor layer;
• and
• aligning and electrically isolating said second transparent substrate and said first substrate wherein said at least one phosphor layer is oppositely positioned to said at least one reflective layer.

A reflective emission pixel comprising:

• a substrate layer;
• at least one reflective layer;
• a connectivity layer associated with each of said at least one reflective layer, said connectivity layer positioned between said at least one reflective layer and said substrate layer.
• an emitter layer positioned on said substrate layer having an edge for electron emission extending above at least one reflective layer, wherein said at least one reflective layer is at a first positive potential to attract electrons from said emitter layer;
• a transparent electrode layer oppositely positioned, and electrically isolated from, said at least one emitter layer, said transparent electrode layer having a second potential to attract electrons reflected from said at least one reflective layer;
• and
• at least on phosphor layer on said transparent electrode layer oppositely positioned to said at least one reflective layer.

A reflective emission pixel comprising:

• a substrate layer;
• at least one reflective layer;
• an emitter layer positioned on said substrate layer having an edge for electron emission extending above said at least one reflective layer;
• means to apply a first potential to said at least one reflective layer, wherein said first positive potential operates to attract electrons from said emitter layer
• a transparent electrode layer oppositely positioned, and electrically isolated from, said at least one emitter layer;
• means to apply a second potential to said transparent layer, wherein second potential is operable to attract electrons reflected from said at least one reflective layer;
• and
• at least one phosphor layer on said transparent electrode layer oppositely positioned to said at least one reflective layer.