Triode field emission device having mesh gate and field emission display using the same

#The present invention relates to a field emission device; and, more particularly, to a triode field emission device having a mesh gate.

#A field emission display (FED) has come into the spotlight as a next-generation display which has the advantages of a cathode-ray tube (CRT) and liquid crystal display (LCD). Many researches have been actively progressed in order to develop FED technology. A field emission device uses the principle that electrons are field-emitted from fine tips. The FED is constructed with FED which is field-emitted by electrons from fine tips. Among various types of field emission devices, a triode field emission device is used most popularly. Triode field emission devices are used for electron guns and amplifiers as well as FEDs.

#The basic theory of FED is based on vacuum microelectronics. The biggest advantage of vacuum microelectronics is that electrons are field-emitted in vacuum, which is different from conventional vacuum tube devices. Based on this theoretical background, Dr. Spindt found that the field-emission is greatly enhanced, when fine metal tips are used, which are called Spindt cathode theory, and the basic theory of FED is completed by the spindt cathode theory.

#The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a Spindt type of triode field emission device according to a prior art;

#FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a triode field emission device using a carbon nanotube according to a prior art;

#Other objects and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, which is set forth hereinafter.

#FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a triode field emission device using a carbon nanotube in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, a triode field emission device using a carbon nanotube of the present invention includes: a bottom electrode 402, i.e., a cathode, provided on an insulation substrate 401; a carbon nanotube mixture 405 provided to the bottom electrode 402 in the form of lattice having a predetermined space; an insulation mesh gate plate 403 having a plurality of openings corresponding to the locations of the carbon nanotube mixture 405, the upper part of the opening having a smaller diameter than that of the lower part; an extraction electrode 404, i.e., a gate, provided to the upper surface of the mesh gate plate 403; a spacer 406 provided on top of the extraction electrode 404 in the vertical direction; and an anode plate panel apart from the cathode plate panel by a predetermined space with the spacer 406 in between. The anode plate panel includes a top electrode 407, i.e., an anode electrode, and a transparent substrate 408 provided thereon. If the anode plate panel is to be applied to a field emission display (FED), the surface of the top electrode 407 is deposited with a fluorescent substance.

#Hereinafter, a method for fabricating a triode field emission device is described in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.