Abstract:
Improved plasma displays utilize electrodes comprising low electron affinity (LEA) materials such as diamond. In dc displays the LEA materials are disposed on the cathode. In ac displays the LEA materials are disposed on the dielectric layers of both electrodes. The improved displays exhibit reduced operating voltage, higher resolution, and enhanced robustness.
Abstract:
A pillar structure has a substantially longer surface path length from negative to positive electrodes to resist breakdown in a high voltage environment. The processing and assembly methods permit low-cost manufacturing of high breakdown-voltage, dielectric pillars for the flat panel display. The method for making an electron field emission device comprising an emitter cathode electrode, a anode electrode and a plurality of insulating pillars for separating said electrodes, comprising the steps of: providing said electrodes; forming a mold having grooved wall cavities; molding dielectric pillars in said cavities, said pillars having grooved outer surfaces; adhering said pillars to one of said electrodes; and finishing said device.
Abstract:
The present invention provides improved methods for making field emission devices by which one can pre-deposit and bond the diamond particles or islands on a flexible metal foil at a desirably high temperature (e.g., near 900° C or higher), and then subsequently attach the high-quality- emitter-coated conductor foil onto the glass substrate. In addition to maximizing the field emitter properties, these methods provide high-speed, low-cost manufacturing. Since the field emitters can be pre-deposited on the metal foil in the form of long continuous sheet wound as a roll, the cathode assembly can be made by a high-speed, automated bonding process without having to subject each of the emitter-coated glass substrates to plasma heat treatment in a vacuum chamber.
Abstract:
A field emission device is made by pre-activating ultra-fine diamond particles before applying them to the device substrate. This initial pre-activation increases manufacturing speed and reduces cost and reduces potential damage to the device substrate from exposure to high temperature hydrogen plasma. A method for making an electron field emission device comprises the steps of: providing particles comprising diamonds; having said diamonds predominantly comprising diamonds having maximum dimensions in the range of 5-10,000 nm; exposing said particles to a plasma-containing hydrogen at a temperature in excess of 300°C; adhering said particles to a substrate having a conductive portion; and disposing an electrode adjacent said diamond particles.
Abstract:
Enhanced field emitters are made by coating particulate substrates with low voltage emissive material such as defect-rich diamond. These methods permit the advantageous, low-cost combination of low voltage emission with sharp-featured geometry.
Abstract:
Applicants have discovered methods for making, treating and using diamonds which substantially enhance their capability for low voltage emission. Specifically, applicants have discovered that defect-rich diamonds -- diamonds grown or treated to increase the concentration of defects -- have enhanced properties of low voltage emission. Defect-rich diamonds are characterized in Raman spectroscopy by a diamond peak at 1332 cm⁻¹ broadened by a full width at half maximum ΔK in the range 5-15cm⁻¹ (and preferably 7 - 11 cm⁻¹). Such defect-rich diamonds can emit electron current densities of 0.1 mA/mm or more at a low applied field of 25 V/µm or less. Particularly advantageous structures use such diamonds in an array of islands or particles each less than 10µm in diameter at fields of 15 V/µm or less.