Abstract:
A process for making a cesiated diamond film comprises (a) depositing a quantity of cesium iodide on the diamond film in a vacuum of between about 10.sup.-4 Torr and about 10.sup.-7 Torr, (b) increasing the vacuum to at least about 10.sup.-8 Torr, and (c) imposing an electron beam upon the diamond film, said electron beam having an energy sufficient to dissociate said cesium iodide and to incorporate cesium into interstices of the diamond film. The cesiated diamond film prepared according to the process has an operating voltage that is reduced by a factor of at least approximately 2.5 relative to conventional, non-cesiated diamond film field emitters.
Abstract:
Process for the production of a field effect electron source and source obtained by said process, application to display means by cathodoluminescence. On an insulating substrate (2), said source comprises at least one cathode conductor (4), an insulating layer (6) covering the latter, at least one grid (8) formed on the insulating layer, holes (10) being formed through said grid and the insulating layer, and microtips (12) made from an electron emitting, metallic material, formed in said holes and covered with a deposit (13) of carbon diamond or diamond like carbon particles formed by electrophoresis or by joint electrochemical deposition of metal and carbon diamond or diamond like carbon.
Abstract:
A field emitter display having reduced surface leakage comprising at least one emitter tip surrounded by a dielectric region. The dielectric region is formed of a composite of insulative layers, at least one of which has fins extending toward the emitter tip. A conductive gate, for extracting electrons from the emitter tip, is disposed superjacent the dielectric region. The fins increase the length of the path that leaked electrical charge travels before impacting the gate.
Abstract:
A matrix field-emission cathode (5) comprises a monocrystalline silicon substrate (7) on which are arranged epitaxially grown pointed silicon emitters (1) which also act as ballast resistors connected in series to the emitters. In an advantageous embodiment of the proposed cathode, for a radius of curvature (r) at the emitter tip not exceeding 10 nm, the ratio of the height (h) of the emitter to the radius (r) is not less than 1000, while the ratio of height (h) to the diameter (D) at the emitter base is not less than 1. The angle .alpha. at the emitter tip does not exceed 30.degree.. The specific resistance of the emitter material is chosen so as to ensure that the resistance of each emitter will be comparable with the resistance between the cathode and the opposing electrode. The proposed cathode is used in an electronic device for displaying information which also has an anode (3) in the form of a strip (11) of phosphorescent material (10) and a conducting layer (9) whose projection onto the cathode (5) is perpendicular to the conducting paths (6) on the cathode; the anode itself acts as the control electrode.
Abstract:
An electron beam source is provided with an electron forming means such as a doped layer of Si for forming conduction band electrons near the surface of the pointed tip of a needle-shaped structure while suppressing emission of electrons from a valence band. The surface of the pointed tip of the needle-shaped structure is formed with a single-crystal semiconductor or insulator. Preferably a surface passivation layer and/or a highly doped layer is formed on the surface of the needle-shaped structure. Also, means for exciting electrons in a valence band may be provided. An electron beam source apparatus and electron beam apparatus incorporating the electron beam source as defined above are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A cathode (e.g., a Schottky emission cathode) having an electron emitter of a tungsten single-crystal with a sharp point, and a heater connected to the electron emitter to heat it. The work function of the crystal face of the point of the electron emitter is reduced by providing adsorbed thereon a nitride of Zr, Ti, Y, Nb, Sc, V or La, or an oxide of Y, Sc, V or La. The nitride or oxide can be formed as a reservoir on the heater (from where it thermally diffuses to the point), or chemically adsorbed on the point. For forming the nitride or oxide on the point, the metal forming the nitride or oxide can be provided on the point and reacted with nitrogen or oxygen thereat to form the nitride or oxide; to provide the metal on the point, the metal forming the nitride or oxide can either be evaporated onto the point, or can form a reservoir on the heater and thermally diffuse therefrom to the point. The effect of reducing the work function results in a cathode having a narrow FWHM (full width at half maximum) of emission electrons and a high current density.
Abstract:
A field emission cathode for use in flat panel displays is disclosed comprising a layer of conductive material and a layer of amorphic diamond film, functioning as a low effective work-function material, deposited over the conductive material to form emission sites. The emission sites each contain at least two sub-regions having differing electron affinities. Use of the cathode to form a computer screen is also disclosed along with the use of the cathode to form a fluorescent light source.
Abstract:
A display device for use in conjunction with a computer system includes a cathode having a layer of conductive material and a layer of low-effective work function material deposited over the conductive material wherein the low-effective work function material has an emission surface comprising a plurality of distributed localized electron emission sites. The emission sites may have electrical properties which are discontinuous from each other. The emission surface may be relatively flat.
Abstract:
A system and method is available for fabricating a field emitter device, where in an emitter material, such as copper, is deposited over a resistive layer which has been deposited upon a substrate. Two ion beam sources are utilized. The first ion beam source is directed at a target material, such as molybdenum, for sputtering molybdenum onto the emitter material. The second ion beam source is utilized to etch the emitter material to produce cones or micro-tips. A low work function material, such as amorphous diamond, is then deposited over the micro-tips.
Abstract:
A micrometer scale emitter tip or array is disclosed having precisely located tips and surrounding gates. A silicide on the tips reduces tip work function.