US 7,990,068 B2 · Field emission light emitting device

Abstract

In accordance with the invention, there are nanoscale electron emitters, field emission light emitting devices, and methods of forming them. The nanoscale electron emitter can include a first electrode electrically connected to a first power supply and a second electrode electrically connected to a second power supply. The nanoscale electron emitter can also include a nanocylinder electron emitter array disposed over the second electrode, the nanocylinder electron emitter array having a plurality of nanocylinder electron emitters disposed in a dielectric matrix, wherein each of the plurality of nanocylinder electron emitters can include a first end connected to the second electrode and a second end positioned to emit electrons, the first end being opposite to the second end.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A nanoscale electron emitter comprising:

a first electrode electrically connected to a first power supply;
a second electrode electrically connected to a second power supply;
and
a nanocylinder electron emitter array disposed over the second electrode, the nanocylinder electron emitter array comprising:
a plurality of nanocylinder electron emitters disposed in a dielectric matrix such that an average nanocylinder to nanocylinder distance is at least about one and a half times an average diameter of the nanocylinder, wherein each of the plurality of nanocylinder electron emitters comprises a first end connected to the second electrode and a second end positioned to emit electrons, the first end being opposite to the second end;
and
a third electrode disposed over the dielectric matrix and electrically connected to a third power supply such that a distance between the third electrode and the second end of the nanocylinder is less than about five times an average nanocylinder diameter.

4 more elements

A field emission light emitting device comprising:

a substantially transparent substrate;
a plurality of spacers, wherein each of the plurality of spacers connects the substantially transparent substrate to a backing substrate;
and
a plurality of pixels, each of the plurality of pixels separated by one or more spacers, wherein each of the plurality of pixels comprises:
one or more first electrodes disposed over the substantially transparent substrate, wherein each of the one or more first electrodes comprises a substantially transparent conductive material;
a light emitting layer disposed over the one of the one or more first electrodes;
one or more second electrodes disposed over each of the plurality of spacers, wherein the second electrodes are disposed at an angle to the first electrodes;
and
one or more nanocylinder electron emitter arrays disposed over each of the one or more second electrodes, the nanocylinder electron emitter array comprising a plurality of nanocylinder electron emitters disposed in a dielectric matrix, wherein each of the plurality of nanocylinder electron emitters comprises a first end connected to the second electrode and a second end positioned to emit electrons,
wherein the one or more second electrodes and the one or more first electrode are disposed at a predetermined gap in a low pressure region, and
wherein each of the plurality of pixels is connected to a power supply and is adapted to be operated independent of the other pixels.

8 more elements

A field emission light emitting device comprising:

a substantially transparent substrate;
a plurality of spacers, wherein each of the plurality of spacers connects the substantially transparent substrate to a backing substrate and comprises one or more contrast enhancing materials;
and
a plurality of pixels, each of the plurality of pixels separated by one or more spacers, wherein each of the plurality of pixels comprises:
one or more first electrodes disposed over the substantially transparent substrate, wherein the one or more first electrodes comprises a substantially transparent conductive material;
a light emitting layer disposed over the first electrode;
one or more second electrodes disposed over the substantially transparent substrate;
one or more nanocylinder electron emitter arrays disposed over the one or more second electrodes, the plurality of nanocylinder electron emitter arrays comprising a plurality of nanocylinder electron emitters, wherein each of the plurality of nanocylinder electron emitters comprises a first end connected to the second electrode and a second end positioned to emit electrons,
wherein each of the plurality of pixels is connected to a power supply and is adapted to be operated independent of the other pixels.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Field emission light emitting device

Life of this patent

Field emission light emitting device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22