Abstract: A method for improving uniformity of emission current of a field emission display (100) includes the step of providing a first carbon nanotube (119) and a second carbon nanotube (118), which at least partially define an electron emitter (116). First carbon nantotube (119) is characterized by a first emission current capability and second carbon nanotube (118) is characterized by a second emission current capability, which is less than the first emission current capability. The method further includes the steps of causing first carbon nanotube (119) to be reduced in length at a first rate and, concurrently, causing second carbon nanotube (118) to be reduced in length at a second rate, which is less than the first rate and can be equal to zero, thereby reducing the difference between the second emission current capability and the first emission current capability and, thus, improving uniformity of emission current.

Abstract: A field emission display (100, 200) includes a cathode plate (102, 302), an anode plate (104, 204, 304), and a hydrogen source (146, 148, 129, 150, 246, 346, 270), which is preferably disposed on cathode plate (102, 302) or anode plate (104, 204, 304). Hydrogen source (146, 148, 129, 150, 246, 346, 270) is distributed over the active area of field emission display (100, 200) and is made from a metal hydride, which is selected from the group consisting of titanium hydride, vanadium hydride, zirconium hydride, hafnium hydride, niobium hydride, and tantalum hydride. The metal hydride can be activated to provide an isotope of hydrogen in situ.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a high vacuum display with flat form factor, and the display, include an envelope with two major, parallel spaced apart glass sides and a continuous edge therebetween. An opening is formed through one of the glass sides of the envelope. A plate is provided with an area larger than the opening in the envelope. A button with an area slightly smaller than the opening may be formed on one side of the plate. A low temperature melting material is positioned on the plate around the button and the envelope is positioned in a substantial vacuum. The button is placed in the opening with the plate abutting the glass side outside of the envelope and the low temperature melting material is melted using heat and/or pressure to sealingly engage the button within the opening.

Abstract: An electron emitter (121, 221, 321, 421) includes an electron emitter structure (118) having a passivation layer (120, 220, 320, 420) formed thereon. The passivation layer (120, 220, 320, 420) is made from an oxide selected from a group consisting of the oxides of Ba, Ca, Sr, In, Sc, Ti, Ir, Co, Sr, Y, Zr, Ru, Pd, Sn, Lu, Hf, Re, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Th, and combinations thereof. In the preferred embodiment, the electron emitter structure (118) is made from molybdenum, and the passivation layer (120, 220, 320, 420) is made from an emission-enhancing oxide having a work function that is less than the work function of the molybdenum.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a field emission device (200) includes the steps of forming on the surface of a substrate (110) a cathode (112), forming on the cathode (112) a dielectric layer (114), forming an emitter well (115) in the dielectric layer (114), forming within the emitter well (115) an electron emitter structure (118) having a surface (123), forming on a portion of the dielectric layer (114) a gate electrode (116), depositing on the dielectric layer (114) a sacrificial layer (210), thereafter depositing on the surface (123) of the electron emitter structure (118) a coating material (220, 320, 420) that has an emission-enhancing material, and then removing the sacrificial layer (210).