Abstract: Area cathode device for generating free electrons in a first evacuated chamber comprises a back plate; a silica glass substrate peripherally sealed to the back plate to produce a second chamber; a gas contained in the second chamber; a layer of photo-sensitive material disposed on the surface of the substrate external to the first chamber; a cathode phosphor layer disposed between the back plate and the substrate; and a pair of electrodes facing each other from opposite sides of the second chamber for energizing the gas to generate a plasma for exciting the cathode phosphor layer to generate light energy for producing electron emissions from the photo-sensitive material.

Abstract: The display device includes a vacuum-tight envelope having a transparent front wall which is provided with a display screen. The display device comprises an internal selection structure (67) which is provided with holes and with a plurality of electrodes for addressing desired pixels on the display screen. The display device is provided with connection elements (71, 72) which each comprise a springy end portion (73, 74), which contacts an electrode (61, 62) on the selection structure (10), and which connection elements further comprise a feed-through portion (75, 76) to make an electric connection, through a wall of the envelope, between the electrodes (61, 62) and a voltage source situated outside the envelope. Preferably, the springy end portion (73, 74) includes a material which retains its springiness up to temperatures of at least 450.degree. C. for example a spring steel, and the material of the feed-through portion (75, 76) is adapted to the expansion of the material of the envelope.

Abstract: A flat panel display includes a magnetic material for focusing electrons onto a faceplate or phosphors of each pixel on a screen. In one embodiment, a display screen includes a faceplate having a magnetic material (30) deposited thereon. In an alternate embodiment, a field emission display including a substrate (11) with a cathode conductor (12); electron emitting tips (13) disposed over the cathode conductor (12); an insulator (14) disposed around the electron emitting tips (13); a conductive gate (15) over the insulator (14); and a magnetic material layer (19) for focusing electrons emitted from the emitting tips (13).

Abstract: An electron source includes a photocathode (20) for emitting electrons on excitation by incident light radiation. A permanent magnet (60) is perforated by a plurality of channels extending between opposite poles of the magnet (60). The magnet (60) generates, in each channel, a magnetic field which forms electrons received from the photocathode (20) into an electron beam for guidance towards a target (90). A shutter device (22) is provided having an array of addressable shutter elements, each selectively actuable to alternately admit and block passage of light radiation onto the photocathode (20) in response to an address signal.

Abstract: The design of a large area display made up of a plurality of field emission display modules is described. The modules have been modified in several ways relative to prior art designs. The cathode and gate lines near the module's edge have been substantially shortened. This feature, in combination with the use of a rabbet joint for attaching thinner than usual edge plates, allows the modules to be butted up against each other such that pixels in adjoining modules are no further apart than pixels in the same module. Because of the thinner edge plates and the general compatibilty of the process, the use of internal supports between the front and rear plates becomes mandatory. Vacuum piping for the modules is located near an edge in dark space or under a green pixel, with the gettering layer being formed inside the piping. The modules all plug into a printed circuit board which includes a custom chip for driving the display.

Abstract: A flat picture tube including a glass vessel which is internally evacuated, a heater installed inside the glass vessel for emitting heat electrons, a plurality of anodes extended in one direction and disposed at a constant interval on one inner plane of the glass vessel for absorbing the heat electrons, a plurality of fluorescent units disposed on the plurality of anodes in a matrix shape for radiating depending on heat electrons absorbed to the anodes, and a plurality of control grids extended perpendicularly to the anode extended direction and disposed in a constant interval for controlling the absorption of the heat electrons toward the anodes operates in a matrix digital method and does not necessitate an electron gun nor deflection yokes, thereby reducing the volume thereof. In the case of a 20 inch picture tube, the maximum thickness thereof is only 5 cm so that it can be adopted for a wall television. Also, since a high-voltage power is not required, the overall power consumption is lowered.

Abstract: Thin-panel picture display device having a luminescent screen and a large emitting plane electron source, such as a large number of juxtaposed electron propagation ducts operating by means of wall interaction of electrons. By means of an addressing system, electrons extracted from ducts are directed towards desired locations on the luminescent screen. The addressing system comprises a preselection system and a fine-selection system with an intermediate spacer plate of insulating material provided with apertures for passing electrons arranged in between. To provide the possibility of applying large voltage differences across the thickness of the spacer plate, the walls of the apertures are at least partly coated with a coating of a low .delta. material having a low secondary emission coefficient (.delta..sub.max .ltoreq.3.5), particularly Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, AlN, Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 or Y.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: A field emission display (100) includes a cathode plate (102) having a plurality of electron emitters (124), an anode plate (104) opposing the cathode plate (102), and a bulk-resistive spacer (108) extending between the anode plate (104) and the cathode plate (102). The bulk-resistive spacer (108) is made from an electrically conductive material. The resistivity of the electrically conductive material is selected to remove impinging charges while preventing excessive power loss due to electrical current through the bulk-resistive spacer (108) from the anode plate (104) to the cathode plate (102).

Abstract: A display device includes a cathode for emitting electrons and a permanent magnet. A two dimensional array of channels extends between opposite poles of the magnet. The magnet generates, in each channel, a magnetic field for forming electrons from the cathode into an electron beam. A screen receives an electron beam from each channel. The screen has a phosphor coating facing the side of the magnet remote from the cathode. The phosphor coating comprises a plurality of pixels each corresponding to a different channel. A grid electrode is disposed between the cathode and the magnet for controlling flow of electrons from the cathode into each channel. A deflection sequentially addresses the electron beam from each channel to each pixel of the corresponding group. Rotational alignment APPARATUS aligns electron beams from the channels with corresponding pixels of the phosphor coating.

Abstract: The invention provides spacers for separating and supporting a faceplate structure and a backplate structure in a flat panel display, and methods for fabricating these spacers. Each spacer is typically made of ceramic, such as alumina, containing transition metal oxide, such as titania, chromia or iron oxide. Each spacer can be fabricated with an electrically insulating core and electrically resistive skins. The insulating core can be a wafer formed of ceramic such as alumina, and the resistive skins can be formed by laminating electrically resistive wafers, formed from alumina containing transition metal oxide, to the outside surfaces of the insulating core. Each spacer can also have a core of electrically insulating ceramic composition made of a ceramic containing a transition metal oxide in its higher oxide states, and electrically resistive outside surfaces made of a ceramic containing a transition metal oxide in lower oxide states.

Abstract: In, for example a field emission display, the invention provides the possibility of combining a plurality of sub-substrates that are attached to a larger rear wall, because notably different modes of multiplexing provide a wider positioning tolerance of a sub-substrate with respect to the front plate. Moreover, the different multiplexing techniques lead to a smaller number of connections, even if no use is made of a rear wall supporting of sub-substrates. A plurality of multiplexing techniques provides the possibility of activating a substantially equally large number of pixels of different colours during parts of an image period, so that there is substantially no colour flicker.

Abstract: Flat-panel type picture display device having a luminescent screen and a large number of electron propagation ducts operating by means of electron wall interaction. Electrons are withdrawn from the ducts by means of an addressing system, whereafter these electrons are directed towards desired locations on the luminescent screen. An apertured spacer plate of electrically insulating material for passing electrons is arranged between the addressing system and the screen. To enable large voltage differences to be applied across the dimension of thickness of the spacer plate, the spacer plate is provided with a high-ohmic layer, or with a pattern of a low-ohmic material, or with an equalization layer at one side and with a low-ohmic layer at the other side, and at least the walls of the apertures are preferably coated with a material having a low secondary emission.

Abstract: A picture display device has a vacuum envelope and is provided with a face plate whose inner side supports a luminescent screen, a rear wall situated at a short distance therefrom, and the space in-between accommodating a plurality of electron sources, which cooperate with a plurality of electron transport duct including dielectric walls fro transporting, through vacuum, the produced electrons towards positions at a small distance from the luminescent screen. The display device further includes means for reducing the effects of undesired charge transfer of the duct walls, which are provided to improve the start-up and/or steady state electron transport conditions. Specifically, the outer sides of the duct rear walls are provided with a conductor to which an initiation potential is applied, which is equal to or higher than the potential applied for producing the electron transport field.

Abstract: On a rear plate of a vacuum envelope are provided a plurality of electron guns for emitting electron beams to a phosphor screen, and deflection devices for deflecting the plurality of electron beams emitted from the respective electron guns so as to dividedly scan a plurality of regions of the phosphor screen by the electron beams. Each of the deflection devices has a horizontal deflection coil and a vertical deflection coil. The horizontal deflection coils of the deflection devices are connected to one another in series, and the vertical deflection coils of the deflection devices are connected to one another in series. All the deflection devices are driven by a common deflection driving circuit which has a horizontal deflection driving circuit connected to the horizontal deflection coils and a vertical deflection driving circuit connected to the vertical deflection coils.

Abstract: There is provided a cold cathode including a substrate, a plurality of electron emitting electrodes formed on the substrate, a first insulating layer formed on the substrate and formed with a plurality of first cavities in which the electron emitting electrodes are disposed, a gate electrode formed on the first insulating layer and formed with a plurality of first openings which are in communication with the first cavities, a second insulating layer formed on the gate electrode and formed with a plurality of second cavities which are in communication with the first openings, and a focusing electrode formed on the second insulating layer and formed with a plurality of second openings which are in communication with the second cavities. At least one of central axes of the second openings and central axes of the first openings is eccentric with central axes of the electron emitting electrodes.

Abstract: A picture display device having a flat vacuum envelope which is provided with a transparent face plate with a luminescent screen and with a rear wall, which display device has an electron supply section with an electron source for emitting electron currents in a direction parallel to the face plate, and an active selection electrode section with first, preselection, electrodes and second, fine-selection, electrodes, located closer to the screen, for directing each electron current towards desired pixels on the luminescent screen. The fine-selection electrodes are divided into groups and corresponding fine-selection electrodes of at least two groups are interconnected in a series or parallel arrangement in such a way that the technology of providing these electrodes is as simple as possible and/or the possible fine-selection electrode patterns are such that the number of required selection drivers can be reduced considerably.

Abstract: A picture display device has a vacuum envelope and is provided with a face plate whose inner side supports a luminescent screen, a rear wall situated at a short distance therefrom, and the space in-between accommodating a plurality of electron sources, which cooperate with a plurality of electron transport ducts including dielectric walls for transporting, through vacuum, the produced electrons towards positions at a small distance from the luminescent screen. The display device further includes means for reducing the effects of undesired charge transfer of the duct walls, which are provided to improve the start-up and/or steady state electron transport conditions. Specifically, the outer sides of the duct rear walls are provided with a conductor to which an initiation potential is applied, which is equal to or higher than the potential applied for producing the electron transport field.

Abstract: A thermionic optical emission device employs a two dimensional array of thermionic elements to excite a display material, such as a phosphor coating, thus producing the image viewed by an observer. Each pixel of the desired display corresponds to the electron emissions of thermionic elements. Each pixel may correspond to less than 1 or more than 1000 thermionic elements. In color displays, each pixel of the desired display includes an area of red phosphor, blue phosphor, and green phosphor.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus has a rear plate including electron-emitting devices formed thereon, a face plate including a fluorescent film formed thereon and being disposed to face the rear plate, flat plate spacers disposed between the rear plate and the face plate, and an outer frame surrounding peripheral edges of the rear plate and the face plate. Electrons emitted from the electron-emitting devices are irradiated to the fluorescent film to thereby display an image under condition where an inner space of a container constructed by the rear plate, the face plate and the outer frame is evacuated through a vent tube into a depressurized state. The vent tube is attached to a side of the outer frame that is positioned across an imaginary extension of the flat-plate spacer in the longitudinal direction thereof, or to the face plate or the rear plate in the vicinity of that side of the outer frame.

Abstract: Spacers (140 or 404) suitable for a flat panel display are fabricated according to a process in which a laminated wafer (100 or 400) is formed by laminating a core wafer (401) of electrically insulating ceramic to an additional wafer (402 or 403) created at least from electrically insulating ceramic, transition metal, and oxygen, at least part of the oxygen being bonded to the transition metal and/or constituents of the ceramic. The laminated wafer is then cut to form the spacers. Face metallization strips (101-110 or 405 and 406) may be provided over outside face surfaces of the laminated wafer.

Abstract: An electron source having a cathode and a permanent magnet having perforated channels extending between opposite poles of the magnet. Each channel forms electrons received from the cathode into an electron beam for guidance towards a target. The electron source has applications in a wide range of technologies, including display technology and printer technology.

Abstract: Flat-panel type picture display device having a luminescent screen and a large number of electron propagation ducts operating by means of electron wall interaction. Electrons are withdrawn from the ducts by means of an addressing system, whereafter these electrons are directed towards desired locations on the luminescent screen. An apertured spacer plate of electrically insulating material for passing electrons is arranged between the addressing system and the screen. To enable large voltage differences to be applied across the dimension of thickness of the spacer plate, the spacer plate is provided with a high-ohmic layer, or with a pattern of a low-ohmic material, or with an equalization layer at one side and with a low-ohmic layer at the other side, and at least the walls of the apertures are preferably coated with a material having a low secondary emission.

Abstract: A flat panel display (300) having a spacer (351) situated between a faceplate structure (320) and a backplate structure (330) is partitioned into (a) a pair of spacer-adjacent regions (303 and 304) adjacent to, and on opposite sides of, the spacer and (b) a pair of spacer-charging regions (302 and 305) respectively adjacent to, and further away from the spacer than, the spacer-charging regions. Each of the spacer-adjacent and spacer-charging consists of one or more pixel rows. Instead of activating the pixel rows sequentially during a frame of pixel information, the pixel rows are activated according to the order that arises when both of the spacer-charging regions are activated after activating the two spacer-adjacent regions. Operating the display in this manner reduces charge buildup on the spacer.

Abstract: A display device having a screen is provided in which a back-plate is sealed to the screen to form an evacuated chamber. An area cathode is disposed between the back-plate and the screen. A permanent magnet is disposed between the cathode and the screen. A two dimensional array of rows and columns of channels extends between opposite poles of the magnet for receiving electrons from the cathode. An anode phosphor layer is disposed between the screen and the magnet for receiving electrons from the channels. A grid electrode between the area cathode and the magnet controls flow of electrons from the cathode into the channels, whereas an anode between the magnet and the anode phosphor layer controls flow of electrons from the channels towards the screen. In a preferred embodiment, the cathode means comprises the backplate and a silica glass substrate peripherally sealed to the back-plate to produce a chamber in which a gas is contained.

Abstract: The thin-type display device (1) has a transparent front wall (3), which is provided with a display screen, and a rear wall (24) which extends parallel to said front wall (3), and said display device comprises at least an electron source and a duct structure. The display device (1) is characterized in that the rear wall (24) and walls (22, 22', 22") of the ducts of the duct structure are manufactured in a single piece. Preferably, the walls (22, 22', 22") of the ducts widen in the direction of the rear wall (24), with the angle, which opposing faces of the walls (22, 22', 22") of the ducts make with each other, ranging from 1.degree. to 30.degree.. Preferably, the rear wall (24) further comprises at least an upright side wall (32), which is integral with the rear wall (24). Preferably, the walls (22, 22', 22") are made from a glass having a temperature interval between the operating temperature and the softening temperature of less than 420.degree., perferably less than 360.degree.

Abstract: A display device is provided with a window frame (7). This window frame is arranged on the front wall (2). A vacuum-tight connection (10) is formed between the window frame and the front wall, and between the window frame and a rear wall (3) or a projecting portion of an intermediate element (4). The window frame reduces the risk of leakage, reinforces the construction and makes possible an improved method of manufacturing the display device.

Abstract: A display device comprises a cathode and a permanent magnet. A two dimensional array of rows and columns of channels extends between opposite poles of the magnet for receiving electrons from the cathode. A screen has a plurality of phosphor pixels each corresponding to a different channel and each comprising a plurality of sub-pixels facing the side of the magnet remote from the cathode. Grid electrode means is disposed between the cathode means and the magnet. A plurality of pairs of anodes are disposed between the magnet and the screen and extending parallel to the columns of channels. Each pair corresponds to a different column of channels and each pair has first and second anodes extending along opposite sides of the corresponding column of channels. Address means supplies control signals to the grid electrode means to selectively control flow of electrons from the cathode through each channel to the corresponding pixel.

Abstract: A coating material having specific resistivity and secondary emission characteristics. The coating material described herein is especially well-adapted for coating a spacer structure of a flat panel display. In one embodiment, the coating material is characterized by: a sheet resistance, .rho..sub.sc, and an area resistance, r, wherein .rho..sub.sc and r are defined as: .rho..sub.sc >100 (.rho..sub.sw) and r<.rho..sub.sw (1.sup.2 /8). In the present embodiment, .rho..sub.sw is the sheet resistance of a spacer to which the coating material is adapted to be applied, and 1 is the height of the spacer to which the coating material is adapted to be applied. By having a coating material with such characteristics, the present invention eliminates the need to place rigorous secondary emission characteristic requirements on the material comprising the spacer structure in a flat panel display.

Abstract: An image display apparatus includes a display panel formed by arranging in juxtaposition a face plate carrying thereon a phosphor and a rear plate carrying thereon electron-emitting devices within a housing. The phosphor is so arranged as to be irradiated with electrons emitted from the electron-emitting devices to display images. The image display apparatus further includes an air blower for causing air to flow between the display panel and the housing.

Abstract: The invention provides spacers for separating and supporting a faceplate structure and a backplate structure in a flat panel display, and methods for fabricating these spacers. Each spacer is typically made of ceramic, such as alumina, containing transition metal oxide, such as titania, chromia or iron oxide. Each spacer can be fabricated with an electrically insulating core and electrically resistive skins. The insulating core can be a wafer formed of ceramic such as alumina, and the resistive skins can be formed by laminating electrically resistive wafers, formed from alumina containing transition metal oxide, to the outside surfaces of the insulating core. Each spacer can also have a core of electrically insulating ceramic composition made of a ceramic containing a transition metal oxide in its higher oxide states, and electrically resistive outside surfaces made of a ceramic containing a transition metal oxide in lower oxide states.

Abstract: An electron source having a cathode and a permanent magnet perforated by a plurality of channels extending between opposite poles thereof. The magnet generates, in each channel, a magnetic field which forms electrons received from the cathode into an electron beam for guidance towards a target. An electrode grid is disposed between the cathode and the magnet for controlling flow of electrons from the cathode into each channel. A magnetic field null region of each magnetic field is positioned at a location remote from the electrode grid. Because the null region is positioned remotely from the grid electrodes, flow of electrons can be improved without increasing electrode drive voltage.

Abstract: A picture display device having a vacuum envelope which is provided with a transparent face plate and a display screen having a pattern of luminescent pixels, and with a rear wall, comprising electron-producing means, an addressing system arranged between said means and the face plate so as to address desired pixels, and, adjacent to the display screen, a plate of electrically insulating material provided with apertures for passing electrons, in operation a voltage difference being applied across said plate, characterized in that the surface at the electron entrance side of the apertured plate is coated with a coating of a material selected from the group comprising nonstoichiometric nitrides, borides and carbides of Al and/or Si, and amorphous Si.

Abstract: An improved cathodoluminescent device with a one piece spacer structure which is rigidly connected to two sets of grid electrodes. The spacer structure defines holes therein that spatially match pixel dots on an anode on a face plate. One set of grid electrodes comprises layers of electrically conductive material on surfaces within at least some of the holes of the spacer structure. The two sets of grid electrodes and different spacer layers may be attached together to form a one piece spacer structure integral with the two sets of grid electrodes. The display device is then simply assembled by matching each of the holes of the spacer structure with a pixel dot on the face plate, and attaching the structure to the face plate and a back plate.

Abstract: Flat-panel type picture display device having a luminescent screen and a large number of electron propagation ducts operating by means of electron wall interaction. Electrons are withdrawn from the ducts by means of an addressing system, whereafter these electrons are directed towards desired locations on the luminescent screen. An apertured spacer plate of electrically insulating material for passing electrons is arranged between the addressing system and the screen. To enable large voltage differences to be applied across the dimension of thickness of the spacer plate, the spacer plate is provided with a high-ohmic layer, or with a pattern of a low-ohmic material, or with an equalization layer at one side and with a low-ohmic layer at the other side, and at least the walls of the apertures are preferably coated with a material having a low secondary emission.

Abstract: A vacuum tube is provided with a line-shaped getter, which includes a holder (2) with a longitudinal axis, which holder (2) contains a getter material (3) over at least a part of its length, said getter being provided with clamping means to clamp the holder (2). The vacuum tube includes aligning means for exerting a torque about the longitudinal axis of the holder (2), said torque being as small as possible for a preferred orientation of the holder (2) relative to the clamping means. The clamping means preferably includes two leaf springs (7, 7'), which are bent so as to be S-shaped and which are provided with apertures (9, 9', 9") at locations where the leaf springs (7, 7') intersect, for passing the holder (2), and a member (6; 19) is provided on the holder (2) in a clamping manner and the clamping means are provided with an orientation surface (17, 17'; 18, 18'), which extends radially relative to the longitudinal axis of the holder (2).

Abstract: The method of successively positioning and fixing n plates forming a stack (21-26) relative to a mounting face (20), includes the positioning and alignment, if necessary, of n plates (21.varies.26), each plate (21-26) being retained, after it has been positioned relative to the mounting face (20) or relative to plates (21-25) which have already been positioned, by means of a vacuum in a vacuum pipe in the plates (21-25) already positioned. When all plates (21-26)are positioned and retained by a vacuum system connected to vacuum apertures (201-206) in the mounting face (20), successive plates (21-26) can be fixed relative to each other so as to form the stack of n plates (21-26). The vacuum pipes form ducts in the plates (21-25), at least one duct comprising i (i=1,2,3, . . . , n-1) corresponding apertures (215; 214, 224; 213, 223, 233; 212, 222, 232, 242; 211, 221, 231, 241, 251) in i plates (21-25) and being closed by a plate i+1 (21-26). Such stacks are used in thin-type display devices.

Abstract: A charge storage target (66) comprising an electron collector mesh (112) and a plurality of column conductors (86) affixed to a substrate (74) is bombarded with electrons from a row addressed array (12). The array (12) comprises a monolithic electrode (20) overlapped by a plurality of row electrodes (32). Associated with each row electrode (32) is a plurality of sources (44) comprising an electron emissive means (50) for emitting a plurality of electrons dependent upon a potential difference applied between the row electrode (32) and the monolithic electrode (20) by a sequencer (58). Electrons are accelerated toward and focused on target (66) in a high velocity equilibrium mode of writing. A potential control means (192) is provided to apply a potential to each column conductor (86).

Abstract: A getter device capable of being re-activated as required and arranged in a narrow space in an envelope. The getter is arranged in a layer-like manner in an envelope of an electronic element to provide, in the envelope, a film-like getter for keeping an interior of the envelope at a vacuum. Electrons emitted from an electron feed section are impinged on the getter to activate it. The getter activated adsorbs thereon gas in an envelope of an image display device.

Abstract: A cathode ray tube includes a vacuum envelope having a face plate (1), a continuous phosphor screen (7) formed on the inner surface of the face plate (1), the phosphor screen (7) including a plurality of scanning regions (R1-R15) disposed in rows and column, and a rear plate facing the phosphor screen (7), a scanning arrangement including a plurality of electron guns (15) attached to the rear plate, for individually emitting electron beams toward the phosphor screen, and deflection yokes (16) coupled to corresponding electron guns (15) for deflecting the electron beams. A control section (30) controls the electron guns (15) and the yokes (16) so that one row of the scanning regions is scanned simultaneously while other rows are suppressed.

Abstract: An electron has an electron-emitting region, a longitudinal axis and an arrangement of apertured electron grids along the axis. A first grid has an aperture for passing electrons, which aperture is located further outwards with respect to the longitudinal axis than the emitting region. One of the other grids is provided with a shield so as to shield the edge wall of the aperture, if it is located within direct view of the electron-emitting region, from incidence of positive ions.

Abstract: A novel self-supporting flat display screen based on thermionic emission of indirectly heated cathode structures (23, 30, 31, 32, 34; 230, 32, 34) is provided utilizing micro-filament heaters (21) that can be interconnected in any predetermined manner. The planar micro-filament (21) construction utilizes Dewer and Dewer-like techniques (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) for controlling the thermal energy emitted and lowering the power consumption of a display device. Several control electrode techniques (42, 52, 33, 133, 142) are also incorporated in the invention to reduce the voltage levels required to control the display and simplify the overall electronic control circuitry needed by the display device. These techniques are combined to provide a high intensity, high contrast flat panel display using low voltage off-the-shelf electronic driver circuitry.

Abstract: A deflecting apparatus for a flat-panel display having an evacuated display housing and a display screen. The display has phosphor stripes or dots for generating visible radiation when bombarded with electrons when accelerating voltage V.sub.1 is applied to stripes. The invention provides for an elongate electron source positioned in the back of the evacuated display housing for emitting electrons which are guided to the display screen through an anode grid or an electron gating grid located before the display screen. The deflecting apparatus for rendering the beam of electrons emitted from the elongate electron source uniform has a deflecting element or unit which is positioned at the back of the display housing and produces a spatially parabolic potential under the influence of steering potential V.sub.4. This spatially parabolic potential forces the electrons moving in the direction of the anode grid or gating grid to form a uniform beam.

Abstract: A thin-panel picture display device having a luminescent screen is provided and by means of an addressing system, electrons are directed towards desired locations on the luminescent screen. A spacer plate of electrically insulating material, with apertures for passing electrons, is present between the addressing system and the screen. To provide the possibility of applying voltage differences of at least 5 kV across the thickness of the spacer plate, at least the walls of the apertures are coated with a coating of particles of nitrides, borides, carbides, oxides of chromium, yttrium, tantalum, with a secondary emission coefficient of .delta..sub.max .ltoreq.3.5 and an electrical sheet resistance of at least 10.sup.12 .OMEGA./.quadrature..

Abstract: A display having first and second substrates positioned in a juxtaposed relationship to one another. The first and second substrates have a spherical configuration including conforming inner concave and convex surfaces of the first and second substrates, respectfully, and an outer concave surface of the second substrates. Electrically activated display elements are formed on the conforming inner concave and convex surfaces of the first and second substrates so that images produced by the display elements can be viewed from the concave surface of the second substrate. The first and second substrates are connected to one another with a peripheral vacuum seal sealing the display elements between the first and second substrates. The concave viewing surface eliminates the effects of glare.

Abstract: A display device includes: a rear wall (4); a display panel (3) spaced from the rear wall (4) and a display screen (7) having a pattern of phosphor pixels; an addressing structure (100) disposed intermediate the rear wall (4) and the display panel (3) for addressing the display screen (7); and an aperture spacer plate (101); wherein, the spacer plate (101) includes a glass material having an electrical resistance of log R at 250.degree. C..gtoreq.8. The spacer plate (101) including a glass material having an electrical resistance of log R at 250.degree. C..gtoreq.8 reduces the charging of the spacer plate walls and improves uniformity of phosphor brightness. The spacer plate may further comprise a glass having a lower alkali mobility less than sodium lime glass.

Abstract: A fluorescent display tube having a structure in which only filament-shape cathodes corresponding to required display regions are selectively supplied with electric power and in which elongated cathode attaching plates are disposed apart from one another on an end of an anode substrate, a first support member is secured to the first cathode attaching plate disposed inwards when viewed in the lengthwise direction of the cathodes, while a second support member is secured to the second cathode attaching plate disposed outwardly. Each support member has a base portion secured to the cathode attaching plate, a securing portion for securing the cathode and a connection portion for connecting the base portion and the securing portion to each other. The plural cathodes are stretched to run parallel to one another. A connection portion of the inner support member is longer than a connection portion of an outer support member. The two support members secure the ends of the cathodes at the same positions.

Abstract: A flat picture tube including a glass vessel which is internally evacuated, a heater installed inside the glass vessel for emitting heat electrons, a plurality of anodes extended in one direction and disposed at a constant interval on one inner plane of the glass vessel for absorbing the heat electrons, a plurality of fluorescent units disposed on the plurality of anodes in a matrix shape for radiating depending on heat electrons absorbed to the anodes, and a plurality of control grids extended perpendicularly to the anode extended direction and disposed in a constant interval for controlling the absorption of the heat electrons toward the anodes operates in a matrix digital method and does not necessitate an electron gun nor deflection yokes, thereby reducing the volume thereof. In the case of a 20 inch picture tube, the maximum thickness thereof is only 5 cm so that it can be adopted for a wall television. Also, since a high-voltage power is not required, the overall power consumption is lowered.

Abstract: In, for example a field emission display, the invention provides the possibility of combining a plurality of sub-substrates that are attached to a larger rear wall, because notably different modes of multiplexing provide a wider positioning tolerance of a sub-substrate with respect to the front plate. Moreover, the different multiplexing techniques lead to a smaller number of connections, even if no use is made of a rear wall supporting sub-substrates. A plurality of multiplexing techniques provides the possibility of activating a substantially equally large number of pixels of different colors during parts of an image period, so that there is substantially no color flicker.

Abstract: The thin-type display device (1) with a vacuum envelope has a transparent front wall (3), which is provided with a display screen, and at least an electron source (5) and a duct structure, which cooperates with the electron source (5) and which extends substantially parallel to the front wall (3). Ducts (6, 6', 6") of the duct structure serve as electron-propagation means and are provided with walls (11, 11', 11") of an electrically insulating material having a secondary emission coefficient which is suitable for electron propagation. In the display device (1) 1.ltoreq.s/w.ltoreq.5 and s.multidot.w.gtoreq.5 mm.sup.2, where s is the depth of the ducts (6, 6', 6") and w is the width of the ducts (6, 6', 6"). Preferably, the width w.gtoreq.1.5 mm and the depth 3.5.ltoreq.s.ltoreq.15 mm. The voltage difference over the length of the ducts (6, 6', 6"), measured parallel to the front wall (3), is less than 75 V/cm, preferably less than 40 V/cm.

Abstract: A flat panel display includes a cathode (302/303/304, 501, or 601a/601b), a conductive gate layer (306, 502, or 602a/602b) overlying the cathode, and a thicker patterned conductive further layer (307, 503, or 603) contacting the gate layer above the cathode. The cathode contains emitters exposed through a multiplicity of laterally separated sets of openings in the gate layer. Each set of gate openings is exposed through a corresponding one of a plurality of holes in the further layer. An anode overlies the gate and further layers.