Abstract: A flat-panel display is fabricated by a process in which a spacer (24) having a rough face (54 or 56) is positioned between a pair of plate structure (20 and 22). When electrons strike the spacer, the roughness in the spacer's face causes the number of secondary electrons that escape the spacer to be reduced, thereby alleviating positive charge buildup on the spacer. As a result, the image produced by the display is improved. The spacer facial roughness can be achieved in various ways such as providing suitable depressions (60, 62, 64, 66, 70, 74, or 80) or/and protuberances (82, 84, 88, and 92) along the spacer's face.

Abstract: A display (50) with enhanced image contrast contains an image-producing component (60) and a set of shutter strips (80). The image-producing component, typically a flat-panel device, has multiple imaging lines that provide light to produce an image. Each shutter strip is situated in front of one or more associated imaging lines. By appropriately switching the shutter strips between light-absorptive and light-transmissive states, the image contrast is enhanced. The shutter strips are typically implemented with a liquid-crystal display structure. The switching of the shutter strips is typically performed with a control component (52/76) which utilizes light to control the shutter switching and which is synchronized to signals (90 or/and 100) that control the imaging lines.

Abstract: A light-emitting device (52) suitable for a flat-panel cathode-ray tube display contains a light-emissive region (66) formed over a plate (64). The light-emissive region contains a plurality of light-emissive particles (72). Part of the outer surface of each of a group of the light-emissive particles is conformally covered with a group of intensity-enhancement coatings (82 and 84).

Abstract: A protected faceplate structure of a field emission display device is disclosed in one embodiment. Specifically, in one embodiment, the present invention recites a faceplate of a field emission display device wherein the faceplate of the field emission display device is adapted to have phosphor containing wells disposed above one side thereof. The present embodiment is further comprised of a barrier layer which is disposed over the one side of said faceplate which is adapted to have phosphor containing wells disposed thereabove. The barrier layer of the present embodiment is adapted to prevent degradation of the faceplate. Specifically, the barrier layer of the present embodiment is adapted to prevent degradation of the faceplate due to electron bombardment by electrons directed towards the phosphor containing wells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of fabricating a cathode requiring relatively few and somewhat simple steps. In one embodiment, a novel etchant gas chemistry dispenses with needing a second passivation layer. In one embodiment, a direct via is formed without a separate mask. In one embodiment, access and isolation features of a metallic gate are patterned in the same patterning operation as an associated passivation layer, dispensing with a need for separate patterning of each. In one embodiment, etching is effectuated with high selectivity for nitrides of silicon. In one embodiment, the requirement for at least one passivation layer deposition, a direct via masking step, and separate patterning steps for the passivation layer and metallic gate are eliminated. This effectively eliminates or substantially reduces associated costs, concomitantly reducing process completion time.

Abstract: A flat-panel cathode-ray tube display contains electron-emissive regions (54) spaced non-uniformly apart from one another in a line of the electron-emissive regions so as to better utilize the space where the electron-emissive regions are located. Alternatively or additionally, electron focusing can be appropriately made more concentrated by implementing each electron-emissive region as two or more portions 54A-54F) situated suitably with respect to openings (86A-86F) in an electron-focusing system (76).

Abstract: Inert gas provided at a suitable level inside a hermetically sealed cathode-ray tube display, typically of the flat-panel type, enables the display's electron-emitting device (20) to be automatically cleaned during display operation subsequent to final display sealing. Upon being struck by electrons emitted by the electron-emitting device, atoms (68) of the inert gas ionize to produce positively charged ions (124) which travel backward to the electron-emitting device and dislodge overlying contaminant material (130 and 132). A getter (26) collects dislodged contaminant. A reservoir (28) provides inert gas to replace inert gas lost during the cleaning process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spacer assembly which is tailored to provide a secondary electron emission coefficient of approximately 1 for the spacer assembly when the spacer assembly is subjected to flat panel display operating voltages. The present invention further provides a spacer assembly which accomplishes the above achievement and which does not degrade severely when subjected to electron bombardment. The present invention further provides a spacer assembly which accomplishes both of the above-listed achievements and which does not significantly contribute to contamination of the vacuum environment of the flat panel display or be susceptible to contamination that may evolve within the tube. Specifically, in one embodiment, the present invention is comprised of a spacer structure which has a specific secondary electron emission coefficient function associated therewith.

Abstract: A protected faceplate structure of a field emission display device is disclosed in one embodiment. Specifically, in one embodiment, the present invention recites a faceplate of a field emission display device wherein the faceplate of the field emission display device is adapted to have phosphor containing areas disposed above one side thereof. The present embodiment is further comprised of a barrier layer which is disposed over the one side of said faceplate which is adapted to have phosphor containing areas disposed thereabove. The barrier layer of the present embodiment is adapted to prevent degradation of the faceplate. Specifically, the barrier layer of the present embodiment is adapted to prevent degradation of the faceplate due to electron bombardment by electrons directed towards the phosphor containing areas.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing contaminants from a display device is disclosed. In one embodiment, an auxiliary chamber is adapted to be coupled to a surface of a display device such that contaminants within the display device can travel from the display device into the auxiliary chamber. A getter is disposed in the auxiliary chamber. The getter is adapted to capture the contaminants once the contaminants travel from the display device into the auxiliary chamber. In other embodiments, the getter is disposed in the border region surrounding the active area of the display.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a support structure. In one embodiment, the method is comprised of forming a layer of material into the support structure. The layer of material is adapted to be attached onto a substrate surface. The method further comprises treating the layer of material. The present method is further comprised of etching said layer of material. The fabricated support structure is then implementable during assembly of a display device. In one embodiment, the support structure is attached to the substrate surface prior to the forming, treating, and etching of the layer of material. In another embodiment, the support structure is attached to the substrate surface subsequent to the forming, treating, and etching of the layer of material.

Abstract: Methods for compensating for brightness variations in a field emission device. In one embodiment, a method and system are described for measuring the relative brightness of rows of a field emission display (FED) device, storing information representing the measured brightness into a correction table and using the correction table to provide uniform row brightness in the display by adjusting row voltages and/or row on-time periods. A special measurement process is described for providing accurate current measurements on the rows. This embodiment compensates for brightness variations of the rows, e.g., for rows near the spacer walls. In another embodiment, a periodic signal, e.g., a high frequency noise signal, is added to the row on-time pulse in order to camouflage brightness variations in the rows near the spacer walls. In another embodiment, the area under the row on-time pulse is adjusted to provide row-by-row brightness compensation based on correction values stored in a memory resident correction table.

Abstract: A light-emitting device (52) suitable for a flat-panel cathode-ray tube display contains a light-emissive region (66) formed over a plate (64). The light-emissive region contains a plurality of light-emissive particles (72). Part of the outer surface of each light-emissive particle is conformally covered with a coating (74) that provides light reflection or/and gettering.

Abstract: A spacer structure for a display is disclosed that has a CTE which matches or very closely approximates the CTE of a high quality, desirable glass from which other display structures such as faceplates can be fabricated. The spacer structure is composed of a material that has a CTE that is tailorable within a range that closely matches the CTE range spanned by a variety of readily available high quality, desirable glass from which other display structures such as faceplates can be fabricated. The spacer structure disclosed has a CTE that achieves the foregoing qualities and retains all other properties characterizing requirements for use in displays. Further, the spacer structure disclosed has a CTE that enables great flexibility in the selection of other display components, without having to revamp existing fabrication techniques. Further still, a spacer structure is disclosed that minimizes zero current shift.

Abstract: An electrode structure for a display that includes lower electrodes and upper electrodes. In one embodiment, lower and upper electrodes are formed of either an aluminum alloy or a silver alloy. In another embodiment, upper and lower electrodes are formed using a metal alloy layer over which a cladding layer is deposited. A silicon nitride passivation layer is used to protect the upper electrodes from damage in subsequent process steps. Various other materials and structures are also disclosed that protect the upper electrodes from damage in subsequent process steps.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a support structure. In one embodiment, the method is comprised of providing a mold. The mold is for defining the physical dimension of the support structure. The mold is disposed upon a substrate surface. In one embodiment, the method is further comprised of depositing a powder into the mold. The present method is further comprised of compacting the powder deposited in the mold. The compacting forms the support structure. In one embodiment, the method is further comprised of removing the mold from the substrate surface upon which it is disposed. The removal of the mold exposes the support structure. The fabricated support structure is then implementable during assembly of a display device. In one embodiment, the powder deposited in the mold is a metal powder.

Abstract: A protected faceplate structure of a field emission display device is disclosed in one embodiment. Specifically, in one embodiment, the present invention recites a faceplate of a field emission display device wherein the faceplate of the field emission display device is adapted to have phosphor containing areas disposed above one side thereof. The present embodiment is further comprised of a barrier layer which is disposed over the one side of said faceplate which is adapted to have phosphor containing areas disposed thereabove. The barrier layer of the present embodiment is adapted to prevent degradation of the faceplate. Specifically, the barrier layer of the present embodiment is adapted to prevent degradation of the faceplate due to electron bombardment by electrons directed towards the phosphor containing areas.

Abstract: A structure suitable for partial or full use in a spacer (24) of a flat-panel display has a porous face (54). The structure may be formed with multiple aggregates (100) of coated particles (102) bonded together in an open manner to form pores (58). A coating (88) consisting primarily of carbon and having a highly uniform thickness may extend into pores of a porous body (46). The coating can be created by removing non-carbon material from carbon-containing species provided along the pores. A solid porous film (82) whose thickness is normally no more than 20 &mgr;m has a resistivity of 108-1014 ohm-cm. A spacer for a flat-panel display contains a support body (80) and an overlying, normally porous, layer (82) whose resistivity is greater parallel to a face of the support body than perpendicular to the body's face.

Abstract: An electron-emitting device (20, 70, 80, or 90) contains an electrode, either a control electrode (38) or an emitter electrode (32), having a specified portion situated off to the side of the bulk of the electrode. For a control electrode, the specified portion is an exposure portion (38EA or 38EB) having openings that expose electron-emissive elements (50A or 50B) situated over an emitter electrode. For an emitter electrode, the specified portion is an emitter-coupling portion situated below at least one electron-emissive element exposed through at least one opening in a control electrode. Configuring the device in this way enables the control-electrode-to-emitter-electrode capacitance to be quite small, thereby enhancing the device's switching speed. If the specified portion of the electrode becomes short circuited to the other electrode, the short-circuit defect can be removed by severing the specified portion from the remainder of its electrode.

Abstract: A low-contaminant dual layer apparatus adapted for use in a flat panel display device is described. The apparatus includes a dual layer electroplated structure for containing the movement of electrons. The electroplated structure resides within an active region of the flat panel display device. The electroplated structure has a cavity adapted to having sub-pixel forming material deposited within and contains substantially no organic material.