Abstract: The emitter plate 60 of a field emission flat panel display device includes a layer 68 of a resistive material and a mesh-like structure 62 of an electrically conductive material. A conductive plate 78 is also formed on top of resistive coating 68 within the spacing defined by the meshes of conductor 62. Microtip emitters 70, illustratively in the shape of cones, are formed on the upper surface of conductive plate 78. With this configuration, all of the microtip emitters 70 will be at an equal potential by virtue of their electrical connection to conductive plate 78. In one embodiment, a single conductive plate 82 is positioned within each mesh spacing of conductor 80; in another embodiment, four conductive plates 92 are symmetrically positioned within each mesh spacing of conductor 90.

Abstract: A multi-beam optical record/playback system includes optical elements for directing pluralities of write and read beams as respective diffraction limited spots on the optically-sensitive surface of a rotating disk. The spots on the disk are positioned such that information can be read immediately after it is written. A prism is selectively interposed in the path of write beams for the purpose or erasing previously recorded information. The prism refracts the write beams, causing a shift of its diffraction limited spots to positions behind the corresponding read spots, thus allowing the read beams to track recorded information which is subsequently erased by the light from the refracted beams.