Abstract:
A method for operating a field emission device (100) having an electron emitter (115) includes the steps of providing an emitter-enhancing electrode (117) proximate to electron emitter (115), causing emitter-enhancing electrode (117) to emit electrons, and causing the electrons emitted by emitter-enhancing electrode (117) to be received by electron emitter (115). A method for fabricating a field emission device (100) includes the steps of forming a layer (126) of dielectric material, forming emitter-enhancing electrode (117) on layer (126) of dielectric material, forming an enhanced-emission structure (131) in emitter-enhancing electrode (117), removing a portion of layer (126) of dielectric material proximate to enhanced-emission structure (131) to form a well (114, 158), and forming electron emitter (115) within well (114, 158).
Abstract:
Methods of forming a nano-supported catalyst on a substrate and at least one carbon nanotube on the substrate are comprised of configuring a substrate with an electrode (102), immersing the substrate with the electrode into a solvent containing a first metal salt and a second metal salt (104) and applying a bias voltage to the electrode such that a nano-supported catalyst is at least partly formed with the first metal salt and the second metal salt on the substrate at the electrode (106). In addition, the method of forming at least one carbon nanotube is comprised of conducting a chemical reaction process such as catalytic decomposition, pyrolysis, chemical vapor deposition, or hot filament chemical vapor deposition o grow at least one nanotube on the surface of the nano-supported catalyst (108).
Abstract:
A method of treating a first chemical species in a gas using a plasma, the method including the steps of providing an array of micro-scale cavity discharge devices capable of sustaining the plasma where the first chemical species is capable of flowing proximate to the array of micro-scale cavity discharge devices, wherein the first chemical species is converted to a second chemical species within the plasma.
Abstract:
A field emission device and method of forming a field emission device are provided in accordance with the present invention. The field emission device is comprised of a substrate ( 12 ) having a deformation temperature that is less than about six hundred and fifty degrees Celsius and a nano-supported catalyst ( 22 ) formed on the substrate ( 12 ) that has active catalytic particles that are less than about five hundred nanometers. The field emission device is also comprised of a nanotube ( 24 ) that is catalytically formed in situ on the nano-supported catalyst ( 22 ), which has a diameter that is less than about twenty nanometers.
Abstract:
A method for fabricating an electron-emissive film (100) includes the steps of providing a powder (124), which has a plurality of carbon nanotubes (104); providing a substrate (102), a surface (103) of which defines a plurality of interstices (107); and dry spraying powder (124) onto surface (103) of substrate (102). The adjustable parameters of the dry spraying step include a separation distance of a spray nozzle (120) from surface (103), a spray angle between a spray (121) and surface (103), and a nozzle pressure at an opening (123) of spray nozzle (120).The separation distance, spray angle, and nozzle pressure are selected to achieve, for example, uniformity of electron-emissive film (100) and adhesion of carbon nanotubes (104) to substrate (102). They can also be selected to achieve a perpendicular orientation of a length-wise axis (105) of each of carbon nanotubes (104) with respect to surface (103) and to achieve the break down of aggregates of carbon nanotubes (104), so that carbon nanotubes (104) are deposited on substrate (102) substantially as individually isolated carbon nanotubes (104).
Abstract:
A fabrication process is provided for reducing leakage current in a field emission display having at least one electron emitter (24) electrically coupled to a ballast resistor (16) coupled to a cathode metal (14), wherein at least one defect (28) extends to a gate electrode (20) from a region (22) electrically coupled to the ballast resistor, the method comprising heating (32) to reduce the resistance of the ballast resistor; and applying (34) a voltage between the cathode metal and the gate electrode thereby creating a current through the at least one defect to create an electrical open therein.
Abstract:
An apparatus is provided for reducing color bleed in a flat panel display. The apparatus comprises an anode (30) with a plurality of phosphors (28) of at least two colors sequentially disposed thereon. A cathode (14) is arranged in parallel opposed position to and separated from the anode (30) and contains a plurality of pads (40) of emitters. Each pad (40) is disposed on the cathode (14) in spaced relationship to and aligned with one of the at least two colors, respectively, wherein electrons from each of the plurality of pads of emitters that drift from its intended phosphor (28) are encouraged to drift toward an adjacent phosphor (28) of the same color.
Abstract:
An apparatus is provided for growing high aspect ratio emitters (26) on a substrate (13). The apparatus comprises a housing (10) defining a chamber and includes a substrate holder (12) attached to the housing and positioned within the chamber for holding a substrate having a surface for growing the high aspect ratio emitters (26) thereon. A heating element (17) is positioned near the substrate and being at least one material selected from the group consisting of carbon, conductive cermets, and conductive ceramics. The housing defines an opening (15) into the chamber for receiving a gas into the chamber for forming the high aspect ratio emitters (26).