Flat panel display prototype using low-voltage carbon field emitters

Abstract

A new flat panel display technology is based on low-voltage self-aligned field emission micro-triodes made from graphite material. Experimental displays demonstrated brightness of 130 candelas/m2 at gate voltages in the range 20–50 V and screen bias in the range 300–1000 V. Complete control of brightness was achieved with a small signal of 10–20 V about the gate voltage. The best devices operated at gate voltages of 22 V in the dc and pulse mode; 60%–90% of the emitters worked. The power loss in the gate was less than 20%. Certain design and fabrication ideas may be developed to achieve significantly higher performance of cathodes and displays fabricated with the described technology.