Abstract: A flat-panel device, typically a flat-panel display, contains a main compartment (46) formed with a first plate structure (40), a second plate structure (42), and an outer wall (44) that extends between the plate structures. A getter (94) is situated in an auxiliary compartment (92) formed with an auxiliary wall (96) that contacts the first plate structure outside the main compartment, extends away from the first plate structure and main compartment, bends back towards the second plate structure, and contacts the second plate structure outside the main compartment. Control circuitry (84/86) is typically situated over the first plate structure outside the compartments. The auxiliary compartment does not extend significantly further away from the first plate structure than the control circuitry.

Abstract: An image display apparatus which is subjected to getter flashing during manufacturing, for the purpose of increasing the degree of vacuum in the air-tight container thereof, is provided with a getter scattering prevention member comprised of a plurality of getter scattering prevention walls. The getter scattering prevention walls prevent getter material from scattering to the image display portion of the image display apparatus, while allowing for smooth conductance of gas in the air-tight container during evacuation. Thus, evacuation by the getter can be further improved by increasing the area to which getter adheres to, deterioration of the image quality can be prevented by not allowing getter to adhere to the image display portion, the air-tight container can be evacuated in a shorter time, irregularities in brightness of the screen due to uneven pressure within the display portion can be done away with, and a higher degree of vacuum can be attained.

Abstract: A wire serves as a gettering material which is wire-bonded to electrical connections which lead outside of a vacuum sealed package. The wire can be activated to create and maintain a high integrity vacuum environment. The "getter" can be either heat activated or evaporated by the passing of an AC or DC current through the wire.

Abstract: A field emitter array device includes a ceramic substrate member having a multiplicity of through conductive vias therein. An insulative material layer is located on the ceramic substrate member. An addressable array of gate and emitter line elements is located on the insulative material and is conductively coupled to the through substrate conductive vias. A backside connector is located on the ceramic substrate member and conductively coupled to the vias for connection of the ceramic substrate member with an array driver device for the addressable array of emitter and gate line elements. A field emitter array of field emitter elements on the insulative material layer of the ceramic substrate member which are operatively coupled with the addressable array of gate and emitter line elements.

Abstract: A field emission display (400) includes a cathode plate (410), an anode plate (430), and a mechanical support/getter assembly (300) being disposed between the cathode plate (410) and the anode plate (430). The mechanical support/getter assembly (300) includes a unitary spacer-frame assembly (310) made from a photosensitive glass. A method for fabricating the mechanical support/getter assembly (300) includes the steps of: selectively exposing inter-spacer regions (110) and a getter frame region (120) of a layer (100) of the photosensitive glass to UV radiation, heating the layer (100) to crystallize the UV-exposed regions, and removing the crystallized inter-spacer regions (110) and partially removing the crystallized getter frame regions by contacting the layer (100) with an acid, thereby forming spacer ribs (314) and a getter land (322). The method further includes providing a getter frame (320) on the spacer land (322).

Abstract: A field emission device (100, 200) includes a cathode plate (110, 210), an anode plate (112, 212) spaced from the cathode plate (110, 210) to define an interspace region (114, 214) therebetween, a hole (144, 244) defined by the device package and in communication with the interspace region (114, 214), and a hydrogen-selective membrane (140, 240) disposed in registration with the hole (144, 244).

Abstract: An integral and internal matrix getter structure for capturing residual gas in a vacuum sealed container is disclosed. The vacuum sealed container may be a flat panel display having a small vacuum gap between two closely spaced panels. The getter structure may be provided on the inside of the walls of the display. In particular, the getter structure may be provided between phosphor groups and/or between field emitter groups on the display panels. The getter structure may be sealed to avoid exposure of the getter material until after a vacuum condition is reached within the display. Activation of the getter structure may be provided by selectively heating the getter structure with a laser or with resistive heating elements underlying the getter structure. Methods of making the getter structure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A new method for forming an anode plate for a color flat panel Field Emission Displays (FEDs) having improved gettering, was accomplished. The method involves forming on a transparent insulating plate (glass) an array of pixels of three phosphors comprising the primary colors and having in or/and around the array of pixels gettering material to provide more efficient gettering of volatile material from the FED cavity. The electrons are injected into the pixels when the electron field emitters are electrically accessed via the address and image forming circuits. The injected electrons heat and activate the gettering material in and around the pixels and provide very effective gettering in the FED cavity.

Abstract: The formation of leachable mercury upon disposal or during TCLP testing of mercury vapor discharge lamps is substantially prevented by incorporation in the lamp structure or in the test solution of an oxygen scavenger.

Abstract: An integrated starting and running amalgam assembly for an electrodeless SEF fluorescent lamp includes a wire mesh amalgam support constructed to jointly optimize positions of a starting amalgam and a running amalgam in the lamp, thereby optimizing mercury vapor pressure in the lamp during both starting and steady-state operation in order to rapidly achieve and maintain high light output. The wire mesh amalgam support is constructed to support the starting amalgam toward one end thereof and the running amalgam toward the other end thereof, and the wire mesh is rolled for friction-fitting within the exhaust tube of the lamp. The positions of the starting and running amalgams on the wire mesh are jointly optimized such that high light output is achieved quickly and maintained, while avoiding any significant reduction in light output between starting and running operation.

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: The invention relates to a method for producing a cap band for discharge lamps, in which a substrate band (1) is coated with at least one material to be introduced into the discharge lamp, in particular a mercury alloy (2) and/or getter material (3).According to the invention, a portion (5) of the substrate band (1) is severed in a direction transversely to the longitudinal direction of the substrate band (1) to form the cap band for the discharge lamp, so that the cap band, or portion, is coated over its entire width (BT) with the at least one material.

Abstract: A wire serves as a gettering material which is wire-bonded to electrical connections which lead outside of a vacuum sealed package. The wire can be activated to create and maintain a high integrity vacuum environment. The "getter" can be either heat activated or evaporated by the passing of an AC or DC current through the wire.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum tube, particularly a cathode-ray visual-display tube. In order to absorb residual gases after having formed a vacuum in the tube a getter material (barium) is used, which is evaporated onto the internal walls of the tube from a getter support. According to the invention, instead of the getter support being welded to the electron gun it is independent of the gun and is fixed rigidly to the walls of the neck of the tube, in front of the electron gun. The distribution of the getter material in the tube is thus improved, especially for tubes focused by the neck, that is to say tubes for which the internal wall (covered with graphite) of the neck serves as a cylindrical electrode for focusing the electron beam, taken to the anode potential.

Abstract: A new method for forming an anode plate for a color flat panel Field Emission Displays (FEDs) having improved gettering, was accomplished. The method involves forming on a transparent insulating plate (glass) an array of pixels of three phosphors comprising the primary colors and having in or/and around the array of pixels gettering material to provide more efficient gettering of volatile material from the FED cavity. The electrons are injected into the pixels when the electron field emitters are electrically accessed via the address and image forming circuits. The injected electrons heat and activate the gettering material in and around the pixels and provide very effective gettering in the FED cavity.

Abstract: An anode plate (10) for use in a field emission flat panel display device (8) comprises a transparent substrate (26) having a plurality of spaced-apart, electrically conductive regions (28) which form the anode electrode of the display device (8). The conductive regions (28) are covered by a luminescent material (24). A getter material (29) is deposited on the substrate (26) and between the conductive regions (28) of the anode plate (10). The getter material (29) is preferably an electrically nonconductive, high porosity, and low density material, such as an aerogel or xerogel. Methods of fabricating the getter material (29) on the anode plate (10) are disclosed.

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: An image display apparatus comprises an envelope internally provided with at least an electron emitting source, a fluorescent material member that emits light upon irradiation with an electron beam emitted from the electron emitting source and a getter that maintains the vacuum inside the envelope, and a vacuum exhaust tube that forms a vacuum inside the envelope, wherein the inside of the envelope is partitioned with a substrate into a first space having at least the electron emitting source and the fluorescent material member and a second space containing at least the getter, and the substrate has a path that communicates both the spaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a CRT 10 having an evacuated envelope comprising a funnel 11 sealed at one end to a faceplate panel 12 with a luminescent screen 14 on an interior surface thereof. A color selection electrode 16, mounted on a frame 19, is disposed within the envelope in proximity to the screen. An internal magnetic shield 22, is secured to the frame of the color selection electrode, and is spaced from and extends along at least a portion of the funnel. The magnetic shield has a plurality of openings 32 therethrough. An evaporable getter 28 is disposed within the envelope adjacent to the exterior surface 26 of the magnetic shield 22. The magnetic shield is improved by having tabs or louvers 36, 38, 136, 138, associated with the openings, for restricting the deposition of a film of getter material 30 to the exterior surface 26 of the shield 22.

Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated getter device essentially consisting of at least one evaporable getter device and at least one non-evaporable getter device, wherein the different getter devices circumscribe areas at least partially superimposed or coincident, lying on essentially parallel or coincident planes and preferably arranged in a coaxial way.

Abstract: A ballistic charge transport device including an edge electron emitter defining an elongated central opening therethrough with a receiving terminal (e.g. an anode) at one end of the opening and a getter at the other end. A suitable potential is applied between the emitter and the receiving terminal to attract emitted electrons to the receiving terminal and a different suitable potential is applied between the emitter and the getter so that contaminants, such as ions and other undesirable particles, are accelerated toward and absorbed by the getter.

Abstract: A grooved anode plate 40 for use in a field emission flat panel display device comprises a transparent planar substrate 42 having a plurality of electrically conductive, parallel stripes 46 comprising the anode electrode of the device, which are covered by phosphors 48.sub.R, 48.sub.G and 48.sub.B. In one embodiment, grooves 50, having generally straight sidewalls, are formed in the upper surface of planar substrate 42 at the interstices of conductors 46. In a second embodiment, grooves 50', which provide a substantial undercutting of the material of substrate 42' adjacent the edges of conductors 46', are formed in the upper surface of planar substrate 42' at the interstices of conductors 46'. A substantially opaque, electrically insulating material 52 is affixed to substrate 42 in the grooves 50 formed between conductors 46, acting as a barrier to the passage of ambient light into and out of the device.

Abstract: To prevent attack on electrodes (4, 5) within a discharge vessel (2) by an ionizable metal halide fill, due to spurious or free oxygen arising within the lamp during operation thereof, which oxygen combines with the metal of the electrodes, and is then dissociated in the arc and re-deposited at the hottest part of the electrode, an oxygen removing getter material is introduced into the discharge vessel. Spurious oxygen arises due to emission of oxygen from the glass wall of the discharge vessel, typically quartz glass, and unavoidable contaminants of the fill substance. The getter material is, preferably, phosphorus, boron or aluminum, a halide of the foregoing, a tungsten boron compound, a tin phosphorus compound, or scandium or a rare earth. If the getter is a halide, iodine, bromine or chloride are suitable. The getter may be introduced in quantities of between 0.05 to 0.6%, depending on the getter substances and the fill composition.

Abstract: An anode plate 40 for use in a field emission flat panel display device comprises a transparent planar substrate 42 having a plurality of electrically conductive, parallel stripes 46 comprising the anode electrode of the device, which are covered by phosphors 48.sub.R, 48.sub.G and 48.sub.B, and a gettering material 52 in the interstices of the stripes 46. The gettering material 52 is preferably selected from among zirconium-vanadium-iron and barium. The getter 52 may be thermally reactivated by passing a current through it at selected times, or by electron bombardment from microtips on the emitter substrate. The getter 52 may be formed on a substantially opaque, electrically insulating material 50 affixed to substrate 42 in the spaces formed between conductors 46, which acts as a barrier to the passage of ambient light into and out of the device. Methods of fabricating the getter stripes 52 on the anode plate 40 are disclosed.

Abstract: A dielectric barrier discharge lamp has a discharge vessel having a discharge chamber filled with a discharge gas. Excimer molecules are developed due to a dielectric barrier discharge. The discharge vessel is equipped with a window for the output of the light radiated from the excimer molecules. A getter space, equipped with a getter, communicates with the discharge chamber. A common wall separates the discharge chamber from the getter space, or a separately arranged getter space is connected to the discharge chamber via a tube. In one form, the discharge vessel and window is made of quartz glass containing less than 10 ppm of OH radicals by weight.

Abstract: Silver metal and nickel silicide are added to the fill of an electrodeless high intensity metal halide discharge lamp, which includes at least one metal iodide as a fill ingredient, for controlling the iodine vapor level therein. The nickel silicide acts to getter oxygen which has been introduced into the arc tube during lamp processing, thereby avoiding oxidation of the metal iodide portion of the fill and a concomitant release of free iodine into the arc tube. The silver acts to getter free iodine available from the metal iodide(s) of the fill as metal diffuses into the quartz arc tube wall, forming silver iodide (AgI). The combination of silver and nickel silicide acts to control the iodine level below an arc instability threshold to promote and maintain arc stability. In addition, neither silver nor nickel silicide attack the quartz arc tube wall. Lamp performance and lamp life are thus substantially improved.

Abstract: A thin type image display device for displaying an image by emitting light from a fluorescer with irradiation of electron beams thereto. The device has a cathode panel between a front panel and a back panel in such a manner that a space is existent between the cathode panel and the back panel, wherein through holes for diffusion of getters are formed in the cathode panel to maintain the image quality at the center of a display screen, or the cathode panel is supported by getters to maintain a required pressure, hence attaining a higher image quality even on a large-sized display screen. A gate electrode may be composed of a getter material.

Abstract: An evaporable getter device, for mounting in an electron tube, comprises a holder whose bottom wall is provided with means for preventing detachment of getter metal vapor releasing material which has been pressed into the holder and which has a multiplicity of means which retard the transmission of heat in a circumferential direction through the getter metal vapor releasing material. When the getter device is heated by currents induced from a radio-frequency field generated by a coil positioned outside the electron tube large amounts of getter metal are released in a short time without detachment of material from the holder. The heat retarding means are preferably four equally spaced radial grooved formed in the upper surface of the getter metal vapor releasing material.

Abstract: Outgassed materials liberated in spaces between pointed field emitter tips and an electrode structure during electrical operation of a field emitter device are vented through passageways to a pump of gettering material provided in a separate space. The passageways may include channels formed through an insulating layer between a base for the field emitters, and the electrode structure, with the channels interconnecting adjacent spaces in a row direction. Where the electrode structure includes a gate electrode layer and an anode layer, similar channels may be formed through an insulator layer provided therebetween. The field emitters may be formed in an arrangement of rows and columns, with the spacing between the columns smaller than the spacing between the rows.

Abstract: A glow discharge starter having an hermetically sealed envelope of vitreous material, a seal located at one end thereof and containing an ionizable medium. A pair of electrical conductors extend through the seal and terminate in a spaced relationship to form a pair of electrodes within the envelope. At least one of the electrodes has a bimetallic element secured thereto. The bimetallic element is deformable by heat into engagement with the other of the electrodes. Gettering means contained within the envelope reduces dark effect by improving dark starting and reduces aging time of the glow discharge starter. Preferably, the gettering means is a metal selected from the group consisting of bismuth and lead.

Abstract: A getter wire is made by wrapping alternate layers of getter metal and refractory metal around an ingot of refractory metal. The composite ingot thus formed is reduced to wire, preferably by extrusion and drawing. The multi layers of refractory and getter metals can then be heated to form an alloy of the two metals from which the getter is evaporated during use. A preferred combination is tantalum as refractory and titanium as getter.

Abstract: An X-ray image intensifier tube is constructed as a modulator system using modules which are uniform for as may different types of tube as possible. Whenever feasible, the modules are detachably combined so as to form one unit.

Abstract: An unsaturated vapor pressure high pressure sodium lamp includes an arc tube positioned within an evacuted glass envelope and containing a gas fill including mercury and sodium and a getter having a free energy of formation per mole of oxygen more negative than that of sodium oxide.

Abstract: A heatable sorption getter body for reactive residual gas clean-up in sealed vessels is provided. The getter body includes an insulating member, two electrical contacts, and a getter composition applied over surface portions of the insulating member. The insulating member serves as a carrier for the getter composition. The getter precursor composition is applied preliminarily after which the resulting dried assembly is subjected to sintering to complete preparation of the getter composition before the getter body is positioned in a sealed vessel.

Abstract: Electron tube having an evacuated envelope equipped with an electron emitting cathode, wherein a layer of activated silicon oxide is formed inside the envelope. The activated silicon oxide layer improves the emission life.

Abstract: In a flat cathode ray display tube having an electron gun adjacent a rear wall of the tube's envelope which produces an electron beam travelling across the rear wall before being turned in the opposite direction and then deflected onto a screen carried by faceplate opposite the rear wall, getter means is situated in one or more recesses, each defined at least in part by an elongate rib formed in the rear wall, e.g. by pressing, with the recess wall shielding the getter means directly from the gun to prevent contamination. The rib serves also to strengthen the rear wall. A line scanning deflector is similarly shielded.

Abstract: This invention relates to a glow discharge starter having a sealed envelope containing an ionizable medium, a bimetallic electrode and a counter electrode located within the envelope. A getter holder is secured to one of the electrodes adjacent the internal surface of the envelope. An arc discharge lamp employing the improved glow discharge starter as part of a starting circuit is described.

Abstract: A getter device comprises a getter metal vapor releasing material and a source of an alkali metal which releases an alkali metal during or after the latter period of getter metal evaporation. Such getter devices are found to produce less methane after evaporation of the getter metal without producing higher hydrocarbons. A higher pressure of hydrogen is formed which aids cathode functioning.

Abstract: An image intensifier with an electrophoretic getter device incorporated therein is described. The electrophoretic deposition, in the form of a porous coating, of at least one getter material and simultaneously an antisintering agent on any form of getter support is also described. The getter material may be a powder of a metal, of a metal alloy or of a hydride thereof, or a mixture of these components.

Abstract: A color fluorescent luminous tube is disclosed which is capable of eliminating a problem of cathode poisoning to significantly lengthen the life of the tube. The color fluorescent luminous tube includes getter devices provided to diffuse a part of a getter material toward luminous cells to deposit it as a film on regions adjacent to the luminous cells, so that the film catches impurity gas generated from the luminous cells due to the impingement of electrons thereupon before it reaches a cathode.

Abstract: A getter flasher has a movable, self-centering coil enclosure including an rf induction coil adapted to heat a getter container disposed within a cathode-ray tube and adjacent to a funnellike surface thereof. The coil enclosure is supported by a holder and has a spring coupled thereto for moving the coil enclosure in a direction away from the holder. A surface of the coil enclosure has a contour substantially similar to a portion of the funnellike surface of the tube.

Abstract: In a glow switch starter comprising an airtight envelope in which a dischargeable gas is contained, and an electrode assembly hermetically sealed in one end of the envelope and having a stem in which a pair of electrodes are set, one or both of which are movable electrodes, a film formed of a mixture of 40% to 90% (by weight) metal barium and 60% to 10% (by weight) metal oxide is deposited on that region of the inner surface of the envelope, which is spaced apart from the stem, at a rate of 0.4 mg to 12.5 mg per cubic centimeter of the envelope capacity.

Abstract: In devices provided with an evacuated bulb in which is present an activated metallic getter, hydrocarbons can be released or produced. As a result, the gas pressure and the heat conductivity increase. In devices according to the invention, for example, low-pressure sodium vapour discharge lamps, solar collectors, display tubes and image intensifiers, a getter auxiliary means is provided. The auxiliary means comprises an inorganic porous carrier charged with a transition metal having an atomic number from the series 23 to 29, 41 to 47 and 73 to 79, in elementary form or in oxide form, or with a combination of at least two of the said materials.

Abstract: In order to limit the increased quantity of ions produced within the tube as a result of the presence of a microchannel element within the tube, getters are placed on the probable path followed by the ions under the action of potentials applied to the electrodes. The electrodes to which the getters adhere are designed in two parts or constituent elements in order to permit the supply of getters if necessary. The electrode elements are bent-back in order to serve as shields in the case of vaporizable getters.

Abstract: A lamp primarily containing neon gas is supplied with alternating electrical power at a frequency of not less than 5 kHz. The discharge current is determined on the basis of the gas pressure such that no striations occur. If necessary, getter means including a metal element belonging to the second, third, fourth or fifth periodic group are provided near each electrode, oriented so as not to interfere with any electron emissions from the lamp electrodes.