Abstract: A method for forming a screen suitable for screen printing a pattern of small closely spaced features onto a substrate is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a fine mesh screen and then forming a patterning layer on the mesh using a photosensitive emulsion. A mask or phototool is used to pattern the patterning layer. During the patterning process, open areas of the mask are aligned with the openings on the mesh using a microscope or other vision device to align the mask with the mesh. During a screen printing process, the open areas of the patterning layer will thus not be obstructed or split into smaller openings by the screen wires. The patterning layer can be patterned using laser energy directed through the mask or using UV exposure followed by development with a suitable developer.

Abstract: A method for forming resistors for regulating current in a field emission display comprises integrating a high resistance resistor into circuitry for the field emission display. The resistor is in electrical communication with emitter sites for the field emission display and with other circuit components such as ground. The high resistance resistor can be formed as a layer of a high resistivity material, such as intrinsic polycrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon doped with a conductivity-degrading dopant, lightly doped polysilicon, titanium oxynitride, tantalum oxynitride or a glass type material deposited on a baseplate of the field emission display. Contacts are formed in the high resistivity material to establish electrical communication between the resistor and the emitter sites and between the resistor and the other circuit components. The contacts can be formed as low resistance contacts (e.g., ohmic contacts) or as high resistance contacts (e.g., Schottky contacts).

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method of attaching and electrically connecting first and second planar substrates, wherein the first and second substrates have inwardly-facing surfaces with matching patterns of bond pads. The method includes adjusting a wire bonder's tear length to a setting which leaves a projecting tail of severed bond wire at a terminating wedge bond connection. Further steps include making a wedge bond to an individual bond pad of the first planar substrate with bond wire from the wire bonder, and then severing the bond wire adjacent said wedge bond. The adjusted tear length of the wire bonder results in a tail of severed bond wire which projects from said wedge bond and said individual bond pad. Subsequent steps include positioning the first and second planar substrates with their inwardly facing surfaces facing each other, aligning the matching bond pad patterns of the first and second planar substrates, and pressing the first and second planar substrates against each other.

Abstract: A method for forming interelectrode spacers for flat panel display devices that employ reduced pressures, includes the steps of; forming a substrate out of an aerogel, xerogel photosensitive material (e.g., photosensitive glass, photosensitive aerogel, photosensitive xerogel); forming a pattern of openings and gas removal channels in the substrate; and then placing the substrate between a display screen and base plate of the display device. The substrate is formulated to be light weight, insulative and with a high compressive strength for resisting atmospheric loads placed on the display screen by the reduced pressure. In addition, the substrate is formulated to be easily etched, laser ablated or photochemically machined and assembled as a third member spacer structure.

Abstract: A process is provided for forming spacers useful in large area displays. The process comprises steps of: forming bundles comprising fiber strands which are held together with a binder; slicing the bundles into slices; adhering the slices on an electrode plate of the display; and removing the binder.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a field emission display ("FED") architecture for isolating display grids, wherein an FED has a plurality of pixels. Each of the pixels comprise at least two field emitter tips for displaying information to the pixel and a pixelator for driving the field emitter tips. Further, an isolated display grid is incorporated for each of the field emitter tips. Each display grid is coupled by a link to a bus having a predetermined voltage. In one embodiment of the present invention, the link can be disintegrated by internal or external means. In a second embodiment, the FED comprises a first and second bus, each bus having a predetermined voltage, whereby a first isolated display grid is coupled to the first bus by a first link and a second isolated display grids is coupled to the second bus by a second link.

Abstract: A Field Emission Display ("FED") is disclosed having an array of display grids formed within a region of a semiconductor substrate. The array is defined by a number of rows and a number of columns. Further, a multiplicity of field emitter tips are incorporated for driving the array, each of the tips being coupled with a display grid of the array. To select any row of the array, a row select switch is employed. The row select switch is preferably formed outside the region of the substrate. In operation, a row is selected when a row control signal is received by the row select switch. Further, a column select switch for selecting any of said columns is also employed, formed outside the region. In operation, a column is selected when a column control signal is received by the column select switch. Moreover, a plurality of constant current sources, formed outside the region, are provided for generating a constant current to each of the tips.

Abstract: A Field Emission Display ("FED") is disclosed having a brightness to project images. To achieve this benefit, the FED includes a pixelator which coupled to a display for displaying and projecting the image. By design, the pixelator conducts a drive current passing through the display grid corresponding to a degree of brightness in the resulting panel display. A first resistor having a first value is coupled between the pixelator and a voltage node or ground. Moreover, a second resistor having a second value at most one half of the first value is employed. A switch for connecting the first resistor in parallel with the second resistor is closed when a control signal is received when the switch is enabled, the equivalent resistance between the pixelator and a voltage node or ground is substantially reduced. In another embodiment, a tapped resistor replaces the first resistor and the second resistor. When the control signal is received, a portion of the drive current is shunted through the switch.

Abstract: A field emitter structure is formed, having trench accessible cold cathode tips is fabricated by forming trenches in a substrate. The trenches are subsequently filled with a conformal insulating layer, a highly conductive layer, and a polysilicon layer. The layers are etched to form emitter tips which are disposed contiguous with the trenches. Electrical signals are propagated through the trenches permitting increased performance of the emitter structure.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a high resistance row (or column) electrode with which a low resistance runner is associated. The electrode is formed, preferably from a substantially transparent material, and a low resistant (i.e., highly conductive material) is disposed thereon. The highly conductive material is subsequently etched such that the highly conductive material remains along the sides of the electrode, thereby reducing the resistivity of the electrode.