Abstract:
In a partially finished electron-emitting device having electron-emissive elements (56A) formed at least partially with electrically non-insulating emitter material, electron-emissive element contamination that could result from passage of contaminant material through an excess layer (56B) of the emitter material is inhibited by forming a protective layer (58 or 70) over the excess emitter-material layer before performing additional processing operations on the electron-emitting device. Subsequent to these processing operations, material of the excess and protective layers overlying the electron-emissive elements is removed to expose the electron-emissive elements.
Abstract:
A structure and method for forming and anodized raw electrode (200) for a field emission display device. The raw electrode having first non-anodized regions (202, 204) and second anodized regions (206).
Abstract:
A multi-level matrix structure for frictionally retaining a support structure within a flat panel display device. In one embodiment, the present invention is comprised of a multi-level matrix structure. The multi-level matrix structure of the present embodiment is comprised of a first multi-layered structure disposed on an inner surface of a faceplate of a flat paneldisplay device. The multi-level matrix structure of the present embodiment is further comprised of a plurality of substantially parallel spaced apart ridges. In this embodiment, the plurality of substantially parallel spaced apart ridges overlie the first multi-layered structure. Additionally,in this embodiment, the plurality of substantially parallel spaced apart ridges include contact portions for frictionally retaining a support structure in a first direction at a desired location within the flat panel display device.
Abstract:
A protected faceplate structure (900) includes a faceplate (100) and a barrier layer (902) of silica. The faceplate (100) may be made of soda glass, and the barrier layer (902) may be made of silica.
Abstract:
A flat panel display is disclosed which includes a faceplate with a faceplate interior side, and a backplate including a backplate interior side in an opposing relationship to the faceplate interior side. Side walls are positioned between the faceplate and the backplate. The side walls, faceplate and backplate form an enclosed sealed envelope. A plurality of phosphor subpixels are positioned at the faceplate interior side. A plurality of field emitters are positioned at the backplate interior side. The field emitters emit electrons which strike corresponding phosphor subpixels. A plurality of scattering shields surround each phosphor subpixel and define a subpixel volume. The scattering shields reduce the number of scattered electrons exiting from their corresponding subpixel volume. This reduces the number of scattered electrons from charging internal insulating surfaces in the envelope, as well as striking the non-corresponding phosphor subpixels.
Abstract:
A voltage ratio regulator circuit (300) for a spacer electrode (140) of a flat panel display screen. Within one implementation of a field emission display (FED) device (100), thin spacer walls (130) are inserted between a high voltage (Vh) faceplate (120) and a backplate (164) to secure these structures are a vacuum is formed between. The faceplate (120) warms relative to the backplate (164) as a result of energy released by a phosphor layer, thereby generating a temperature gradient along the spacer walls (130). The top portion of each spacer wall (130) becomes more conductive with increased temperature and acts to attract electrons that are emitted toward the faceplate (120). To counter this attraction, a spacer electrode (140) is placed along each spacer wall (130) at a height, d, above the backplate (164) and maintained at a voltage, Ve. The spacer electrode (140) at Ve and the high voltage supply (250) at Vh are both coupled to a voltage ratio regulator circuit (300) which maintains the ratio (Ve/Vh) using voltage dividers (R1, R2, R10 and R11, R3), an operational amplifier (310) and other circuitry. The voltage ratio regulator (300) compensates for variations in voltage supply performance. The time constants (R1, C1 and R3, C3) of the voltage ratio regulator circuit (300) is tuned to be near or slightly faster than the time constant of the inherent resistance (RW1, RW2) and capacitance (CW1, CW2) of the spacer wall (130). The invention improves the electron path accuracy for pixels located near spacer walls.
Abstract:
An electron-emitting device contains a vertical emitter resistor patterned into multiple laterally separated sections (34, 34V, 46, or 46V) situated between the electron-emissive elements (40), on one hand, and emitter electrodes (32), on the other hand. Sections of the resistor are spaced apart along each emitter electrode. The resistor can be formed in a manner self aligned to control electrodes (38 or 52A/58B) of the device or with a separate resistor mask.
Abstract:
A method for forming a three-dimensional multi-level conductive matrix structure for a flat panel display device. In one embodiment, the present invention forms first pixel separating structures across a surface of a faceplate of a flat panel display. The first pixel separating structures separate adjacent first sub-pixel regions. In this embodiment, the first pixel separating structures are formed by applying a first layer of photo-imagable material across the surface of the faceplate. Next, portions of the first layer of photo-imagable material are removed to leave regions of the first layer of photo-imagable material covering respective first sub-pixel regions. Then, a first layer of conductive material is applied over the surface of the faceplate such that the first layer conductive material is disposed between the aforementioned regions of the first layer of photo-imagable material. The present invention then removes the regions of the first layer of photo-imagable material leaving only first pixel separating structures formed of the first layer of conductive material, disposed between the first sub-pixel regions. The present invention performs similar steps in order to form second pixel separating structures between the second sub-pixel regions. The second pixel separating structures are formed substantially orthogonally oriented with respect to the first pixel separating structures and, in the present embodiment, have a different height than the first pixel separating structures. In so doing, a three-dimensional multi-level conductive matrix structure is formed.
Abstract:
A method for removing a lift-off layer (214) and an overlying closure layer (218) formed during manufacture of a field emitter structure having at least one emitter (220) on a substrate (202) comprising: a) immersing the field emitter structure in an etchant which attacks the lift-off layer (214) and b) activating a vibrational transducer (410) immersed in the etchant to subject the lift-off and closure layers to vibrational forces which aid in removing these layers (214, 218) from the emitter structure (210, 206, 220). The transducer (410) is preferably a megasonic transducer. After rinsing etchant from the emitter structure, the emitter structure may be dried using an alcohol-based fluid displacement drying process.
Abstract:
A structure and method for forming and anodized raw electrode (200) for a field emission display device. The raw electrode having first non-anodized regions (202, 204) and second anodized regions (206).