公开(公告)号：US6015324A

公开(公告)日：2000-01-18

申请号：US964987

申请日：1997-11-05

Applicant: Michael D Potter

Inventor： Michael D Potter

IPC: H01J3/02 ,  H01J9/02 ,  H01J9/00

CPC classification number: H01J3/022 ,  H01J9/025

Abstract: A device useful as a display element has an electron emitter and an anode disposed to receive electrons emitted from the emitter. The anode has surface portions differing in resistivity, providing an electron sink portion at the surface portion of lowest resistivity. A preferred embodiment has a lateral field-emission electron emitter and has an anode formed by processes specially adapted to provide anode portions of differing resistivity, including the electron sink portion. The electron sink portion is preferably disposed at a position laterally spaced apart from the emitting tip of the device's electron emitter. In a particularly preferred fabrication process, the anode is formed by depositing a base layer, depositing and patterning an etch-stop layer with an opening to define the electron-sink portion, forming an opening by etching overlying layers down to the etch-stop layer, and heating the base layer and etch-stop layer to form an anode surface that includes both an integral electron-sink portion and a cathodoluminescent phosphor for emitting light. The fabrication process provides for fabricating a plurality of display element devices to make a flat panel display.

Abstract translation: 用作显示元件的器件具有设置成接收从发射极发射的电子的电子发射器和阳极。 阳极具有电阻率不同的表面部分，在最低电阻率的表面部分提供电子吸收部分。 优选实施例具有横向场发射电子发射器，并且具有通过特别适于提供包括电子吸收部分的不同电阻率的阳极部分的工艺形成的阳极。 电子吸收部优选设置在与器件的电子发射体的发射端横向间隔开的位置。 在特别优选的制造工艺中，阳极通过沉积基底层，沉积和图案化具有开口的蚀刻停止层以形成电子吸收部分而形成，通过将覆盖层向下蚀刻到蚀刻停止层 并且加热基底层和蚀刻停止层以形成包括用于发光的整体电子吸收部分和阴极发光荧光体的阳极表面。 制造工艺提供制造多个显示元件装置以制作平板显示器。

公开(公告)号：US5965192A

公开(公告)日：1999-10-12

申请号：US901701

申请日：1997-07-28

Applicant: Michael D. Potter

Inventor： Michael D. Potter

IPC: C09K11/67 ,  C09K11/68 ,  C09K11/69 ,  C09K11/77 ,  H01J9/227 ,  B05D5/06

CPC classification number: H01J9/227 ,  C09K11/672 ,  C09K11/682 ,  C09K11/693 ,  C09K11/7702 ,  C09K11/7708

Abstract: A phosphor comprises, in atomic percentages, 90% to 100% of a mixed metal oxide MxTyOz, wherein M is a metal selected from Zn, Sn, In, Cu, and combinations thereof, T is a refractory metal selected from Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, and combinations thereof, and O is Oxygen, x, y, and z being chosen such that z is at most stoichiometric for MxTyOz; and 0% to 10% of a dopant comprising a substance selected from a rare earth element of the lanthanide series, Mn, Cr, and combinations thereof, or stoichiometrically excess zinc, copper, tin, or indium. Cathodoluminescent phosphor compositions stimulable by electrons of very low energy are prepared from metal oxides treated with refractory metals in various processes disclosed. Metal oxides or mixed-metal oxides of zinc, copper, tin, or indium are heated in the presence of a refractory metal such as titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, or combinations or alloys thereof to make phosphors of various chromaticities. In a simple embodiment, a quantity of Ta.sub.2 O.sub.5 is added to a quantity of ZnO and heated at an effective temperature and time to form Ta.sub.2 Zn.sub.3 O.sub.8, which is useful in various forms as a blue-light-emitting phosphor. In preferred embodiments, the phosphors are prepared in situ in an electrically-conductive thin-film or surface-layer form during fabrication of displays.

Abstract translation: 磷光体以原子百分比包含90％至100％的混合金属氧化物M x T y O z，其中M是选自Zn，Sn，In，Cu及其组合的金属，T是选自Ti，Zr， Hf，V，Nb，Ta，Cr，Mo，W及其组合，O是氧，x，y和z，使得z对于M x T y O z为至多化学计量; 以及含有选自镧系元素稀土元素，Mn，Cr及其组合的化合物或化学计量过量的锌，铜，锡或铟的物质的0〜10％的掺杂剂。 由非常低能量的电子刺激的阴极发光荧光体组合物由公开的各种方法由用难熔金属处理的金属氧化物制备。 锌，铜，锡或铟的金属氧化物或混合金属氧化物在钛，锆，铪，钒，铌，钽，铬，钼，钨等难熔金属的存在下被加热，或其组合或合金 以制造各种色度的荧光体。 在一个简单的实施例中，将一定数量的Ta 2 O 5添加到一定量的ZnO中并在有效温度和时间加热以形成Ta 2 Zn 3 O 8，其可以以各种形式用作蓝色发光磷光体。 在优选的实施方案中，在制造显示器期间，以导电薄膜或表面层形式原位制备荧光体。

公开(公告)号：US5920148A

公开(公告)日：1999-07-06

申请号：US818693

申请日：1997-03-19

Applicant: Michael D. Potter

Inventor： Michael D. Potter

IPC: H01J3/02 ,  H01J9/02 ,  H01J21/04 ,  H01J21/10 ,  H01J31/12 ,  H01J1/16 ,  H01J19/24

CPC classification number: H01J21/04 ,  H01J21/105 ,  H01J3/022 ,  H01J31/127 ,  H01J9/025

Abstract: A lateral-emitter field emission device has a thin-film emitter cathode 50 which has thickness of not more than several hundred angstroms and has an edge or tip 110 having a small radius of curvature. To form a novel display cell structure, a cathodoluminescent phosphor anode 60 is positioned below the plane of the thin-film lateral-emitter cathode 50, allowing a large portion of the phosphor anode's top surface to emit light in the desired direction. An anode contact layer contacts the phosphor anode 60 from below to form a buried anode contact 90 which does not interfere with light emission. The anode phosphor is precisely spaced apart from the cathode edge or tip and receives electrons emitted by field emission from the edge or tip of the lateral-emitter cathode, when a small bias voltage is applied. The device may be configured as a diode, triode, or tetrode, etc. having one or more control electrodes 140 and/or 170 positioned to allow control of current from the emitter to the phosphor anode by an electrical signal applied to the control electrode. In a particularly simple embodiment, a single control electrode 140 is positioned in a plane below the emitter edge or tip 110 and automatically aligned to that edge. The display cell structure may be repeated many times in an array, and the display cell structure of the invention lends itself to novel array structures which are also disclosed. A fabrication process is disclosed using subprocess steps S1-S19 similar to those of semiconductor integrated circuit fabrication to produce the novel display cell structures and their arrays. Various embodiments of the fabrication process allow the use of conductive or insulating substrates 20 and allow fabrication of devices having various functions and complexity.

公开(公告)号：US5872421A

公开(公告)日：1999-02-16

申请号：US964483

申请日：1997-11-05

Applicant: Michael D Potter

Inventor： Michael D Potter

IPC: H01J3/02 ,  H01J9/02 ,  H01J1/16 ,  H01J1/02

CPC classification number: H01J9/025 ,  H01J3/022

Abstract: A device useful as a display element has an electron emitter and an anode disposed to receive electrons emitted from the emitter. The anode has surface portions differing in resistivity, providing an electron sink portion at the surface portion of lowest resistivity. A preferred embodiment has a lateral field-emission electron emitter and has an anode formed by processes specially adapted to provide anode portions of differing resistivity, including the electron sink portion. The electron sink portion is preferably disposed at a position laterally spaced apart from the emitting tip of the device's electron emitter. In a particularly preferred fabrication process, the anode is formed by depositing a base layer, depositing and patterning an etch-stop layer with an opening to define the electron-sink portion, forming an opening by etching overlying layers down to the etch-stop layer, and heating the base layer and etch-stop layer to form an anode surface that includes both an integral electron-sink portion and a cathodoluminescent phosphor for emitting light. The fabrication process provides for fabricating a plurality of display element devices to make a flat panel display.

Abstract translation: 用作显示元件的器件具有设置成接收从发射极发射的电子的电子发射器和阳极。 阳极具有电阻率不同的表面部分，在最低电阻率的表面部分提供电子吸收部分。 优选实施例具有横向场发射电子发射器，并且具有通过特别适于提供包括电子吸收部分的不同电阻率的阳极部分的工艺形成的阳极。 电子吸收部优选设置在与器件的电子发射体的发射端横向间隔开的位置。 在特别优选的制造工艺中，阳极通过沉积基底层，沉积和图案化具有开口的蚀刻停止层以形成电子吸收部分而形成，通过将覆盖层向下蚀刻到蚀刻停止层 并且加热基底层和蚀刻停止层以形成包括用于发光的整体电子吸收部分和阴极发光荧光体的阳极表面。 制造工艺提供制造多个显示元件装置以制作平板显示器。

公开(公告)号：US5647601A

公开(公告)日：1997-07-15

申请号：US383875

申请日：1995-02-06

Applicant: Michael D. Potter ,  Cherie B. Mathews

Inventor： Michael D. Potter ,  Cherie B. Mathews

IPC: B62B7/00 ,  B62B7/04 ,  B60F5/00

CPC classification number: B62B7/00 ,  B62B2205/20 ,  B62B2207/02 ,  B62B7/044

Abstract: A collapsible adapter is used to convert an infant stroller for use on irregular terrain or for use while running or jogging. The adapter holds an accommodated stroller on supports, lifting the wheels of the stroller off the terrain and substituting its own wheels for their function. The adapter has a light weight frame which folds at lockable hinges, to make a compact configuration for storage or transportation when the adapter is not in use with a stroller. When unfolded, the frame locks into the unfolded configuration. When in use, the adapter and an accommodated stroller are pushed using the accommodated stroller's existing handle. The adapter's hinges are arranged so that the weight of the adapter and the weight of a stroller with which it is used both act so as to prevent unintended collapse of the adapter. Simple attachment means provide for secure attachment of a stroller to the unfolded adapter. An attachment clamp acts to pull the accommodated stroller in a forward direction into slots or against projections of the adapter's stroller support. When used with a collapsible stroller, the adapter's attachment means act to prevent the stroller from collapsing. A doubly-hinged handle near the center of gravity of the unfolded adapter provides for convenient carrying of the folded adapter. When equipped with a quick-release front wheel, the adapter may itself be adapted for towing behind a bicycle.

Abstract translation: 可折叠适配器用于转换婴儿推车，用于不规则地形或在跑步或慢跑时使用。 适配器将支架上的收纳的婴儿车放置在地面上，将婴儿车的轮子从地面上提起，并用自己的车轮取代其功能。 适配器具有在可锁定的铰链处折叠的轻质框架，以便在适配器不与婴儿车一起使用时形成用于存储或运输的紧凑配置。 展开时，框架锁定到展开的配置中。 在使用时，使用适合的婴儿车的现有手柄推动适配器和收纳的婴儿车。 适配器的铰链被布置成使得适配器的重量和与其一起使用的婴儿车的重量都起到防止适配器意外塌陷的作用。 简单的附接装置提供将婴儿车安全地附接到展开的适配器。 附接夹具用于将被容纳的婴儿车向前推入插槽或适配器的婴儿车支撑件的突出部。 当与可折叠婴儿车一起使用时，适配器的附接装置用于防止婴儿车折叠。 靠近展开式适配器的重心附近的双重铰链手柄可方便携带折叠的适配器。 当配备快速释放前轮时，适配器本身可适用于在自行车后方拖动。

公开(公告)号：US5630741A

公开(公告)日：1997-05-20

申请号：US438107

申请日：1995-05-08

Applicant: Michael D. Potter

Inventor： Michael D. Potter

IPC: H01J3/02 ,  H01J9/02 ,  H01J21/10

CPC classification number: H01J21/105 ,  H01J3/022 ,  H01J9/025

Abstract: A lateral-emitter field emission device has a thin-film emitter cathode 50 which has thickness of not more than several hundred angstroms and has an edge or tip 110 having a small radius of curvature. To form a novel display cell structure, a cathodoluminescent phosphor anode 60 is positioned below the plane of the thin-film lateral-emitter cathode 50, allowing a large portion of the phosphor anode's top surface to emit light in the desired direction. An anode contact layer contacts the phosphor anode 60 from below to form a buried anode contact 90 which does not interfere with light emission. The anode phosphor is precisely spaced apart from the cathode edge or tip and receives electrons emitted by field emission from the edge or tip of the lateral-emitter cathode, when a small bias voltage is applied. The device may be configured as a diode, triode, or tetrode, etc. having one or more control electrodes 140 and/or 170 positioned to allow control of current from the emitter to the phosphor anode by an electrical signal applied to the control electrode. In a particularly simple embodiment, a single control electrode 140 is positioned in a plane below the emitter edge or tip 110 and automatically aligned to that edge. The display cell structure may be repeated many times in an array, and the display cell structure of the invention lends itself to novel array structures which are also disclosed. A fabrication process is disclosed using subprocess steps S1-S19 similar to those of semiconductor integrated circuit fabrication to produce the novel display cell structures and their arrays. Various embodiments of the fabrication process allow the use of conductive or insulating substrates 20 and allow fabrication of devices having various functions and complexity.

Abstract translation: 横向发射极场发射器件具有薄膜发射极阴极50，薄膜发射极阴极50具有不超过几百埃的厚度，并具有具有小曲率半径的边缘或尖端110。 为了形成新颖的显示单元结构，阴极发光磷光体阳极60位于薄膜侧向发射极阴极50的平面的下方，允许荧光体阳极的顶表面的大部分在期望的方向上发光。 阳极接触层从下方接触荧光体阳极60，以形成不干扰光发射的掩埋阳极接触90。 当施加小的偏置电压时，阳极磷光体与阴极边缘或尖端精确地间隔开并且接收从侧向发射极阴极的边缘或尖端的场发射发射的电子。 该器件可以被配置为具有一个或多个控制电极140和/或170的二极管，三极管或四极管等，其被定位成允许通过施加到控制电极的电信号来控制从发射极到磷光体阳极的电流。 在特别简单的实施例中，单个控制电极140定位在发射器边缘或尖端110下方的平面中并自动对准该边缘。 显示单元结构可以在阵列中重复多次，并且本发明的显示单元结构本身也被公开了新颖的阵列结构。 使用类似于半导体集成电路制造的子过程步骤S1-S19来公开制造工艺以产生新的显示单元结构及其阵列。 制造工艺的各种实施例允许使用导电或绝缘基板20并且允许制造具有各种功能和复杂性的装置。