Candescent Technologies Corporation

Candescent Intellectual Property Services, Inc.

Victoria A Bascom

Christopher J Spindt

Duane A Haven

Stephanie Jeanne Oberg

Arthur J Learn

Roger W Barton

N Johan Knall

John D Porter

Colin D Stanners

Fabrication of an electron-emitting device entails providing an electron-emitting structure in which multiple sets of electron-emissive elements (24) overlying an emitter electrode (12) are arranged in a line extending generally in a specified direction. Each of a group of control electrodes (28) in the electron-emitting structure contain (a) a main control portion (30) penetrated by a control opening (34) that laterally circumscribes one of the sets of electron-emissive elements and (b) a gate portion (32) that extends across the control opening and has gate openings (36) through which the electron-emissive elements are exposed. Actinic material (38P) is provided over the control electrodes and processed to form a base focusing structure (38) penetrated by multiple focus openings (40) such that each focus opening is centered on a corresponding one of the control openings in the specified direction.

Fabrication of electron-emitting device having large control openings centered on focus openings

An electron-emitting device contains an emitter electrode (12), a group of sets of electron-emitting elements (,), a group of control electrodes (,), and a focusing system (,) for focusing electrons emitted by the electron-emissive elements. The sets of electron-emissive elements are arranged generally in a line extending in a specified direction. Each control electrode has a main portion (,) and a gate portion (,). the electron-emissive elements are exposed through gate openings (,) in the gate portion. The main portion of each control electrode crosses over the emitter electrode and has a large control opening (,) which laterally circumscribes one of the sets of electron-emissive elements. The focusing system has a group of focus openings (,) located respectively above the control openings. Each control opening is largely centered on, or/and is no more than 50% as large as, the corresponding focus opening in the specified direction.

Electron-emitting device having large control openings in specified, typically centered, relationship to focus openings

An electron-emitting device utilizes an emitter electrode (12) shaped like a ladder in which a line of emitter openings (18) extend through the electrode. In fabricating the device, the emitter openings can be utilized to self-align certain edges, such as edges (38C) of a focusing system (37), to other edges, such as edges (28C) of control electrodes (28), to obtain desired lateral spacings. The self-alignment is typically achieved with the assistance of a backside photolithographic exposure operation. The ladder shape of the emitter electrode also facilitates the removal of short-circuit defects involving the electrode.

Fabrication of electron-emitting device having ladder-like emitter

Multiple procedures are presented for removing contaminant material (12) from electron-emissive elements (10) of an electron-emitting device (30). One procedure involves converting the contaminant material into gaseous products (14), typically by operating the electron-emissive elements, that move away from the electron-emissive elements. Another procedure entails converting the contaminant material into further material (16) and removing the further material. An additional procedure involves forming surface coatings (18 or 20) over the electron-emissive elements. The contaminant material is then removed directly from the surface coatings or by removing at least part of each surface coating.

Cleaning of electron-emissive elements

Structure and fabrication of electron-emitting device having ladder-like

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Newman, CA, United States of America

Victoria A Bascom