Abstract: A conductive focus waffle structure for focusing electrons emitted from a cathode portion of a flat panel display device. In one embodiment, the conductive focus waffle structure comprises a grid of material comprised of substantially orthogonally oriented rows and columns. The substantially orthogonally oriented rows and columns define openings therebetween having sufficient size to allow electrons emitted from a cathode portion of a flat panel display device to pass therethrough. The focus waffle grid further comprises a lower dielectric portion adapted to be coupled to the cathode portion of the flat panel display device and an upper conductive portion coupled to the lower dielectric portion, the upper conductive portion adapted to focus the electrons passing through the openings.

Abstract: A multi-level matrix structure for frictionally retaining a support structure within a flat panel display device. In one embodiment, the present invention is comprised of a multi-level matrix structure. The multi-level matrix structure of the present embodiment is comprised of a first multi-layered structure disposed on an inner surface of a faceplate of a flat panel display device. The multi-level matrix structure of the present embodiment is further comprised of a plurality of substantially parallel spaced apart ridges. In this embodiment, the plurality of substantially parallel spaced apart ridges overlie the first multi-layered structure. Additionally, in this embodiment, the plurality of substantially parallel spaced apart ridges include contact portions for frictionally retaining a support structure in a first direction at a desired location within the flat panel display device.

Abstract: A structure that is suitable for partial or full use in a spacer of a flat-panel display. The structure may be formed with a porous body having a face along which multiple primary pores extend into the porous body. A coating consisting primarily of carbon and having a highly uniform thickness overlies the porous body's face, extending along the primary pores to coat their surfaces and converting the primary pores into further pores. The coating can be created by removing non-carbon material from carbon-containing species provided along the pores. A solid porous film 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 and an overlying, normally porous, layer whose resistivity is greater parallel to a face of the support body than perpendicular to the body's face.

Abstract: An encapsulated matrix structure and formation method for preventing contamination caused by thermally induced outgassing and electron stimulated desorption of contaminants. In one embodiment, the present invention is comprised of a matrix structure which is adapted to be coupled to a faceplate of a flat panel display. The matrix structure is located on the faceplate so as to separate adjacent sub-pixel regions. The present embodiment further includes a contaminant prevention structure which covers the matrix structure. The contaminant prevention structure of the present embodiment has a physical structure such that contaminants originating within the matrix structure are confined therein. The contaminant prevention structure can also be designed to prevent electrons from impinging on the black matrix and desorbing contaminants. In so doing, the present invention prevents deleterious thermally induced outgassing and electron stimulated desorption of contaminants by the matrix structure.

Abstract: A method for creating a color filter on a display screen that allows better and more efficient adhesion of color pigment crystals to the screen display structure. In one embodiment, the present invention creates a color filter on a glass substrate having a pixel-defining structure. The present embodiment first creates a color filter material by mixing a potassium silicate solution with a color crystal pigment. The color filter material is then applied onto the interior surface of the display screen. The material is then dried. The dried color filter material is then exposed to a visible light from the exterior side of the display screen. The visible light exposes the color filter material through a photomask and through the display screen.

Abstract: Encapsulated matrix structures for flat panel displays are disclosed. In one embodiment, a field emission display includes a focusing structure disposed between a faceplate and a backplate, and a contamination prevention structure covering the focusing structure thereby preventing thermal outgassing and electron desorption of contaminants from the focusing structure. In another embodiment, a flat panel display includes a faceplate (100), a matrix structure (102), a porous material layer (702), a non-porous material layer (704), and a conductive coating (706).

Abstract: A conductive focus waffle structure for focusing electrons emitted from a cathode portion of a flat panel display device, and a method for forming the conductive focus waffle structure. In one embodiment, the present invention applies a first layer of photo-imagable material above a cathode portion of a flat panel display device. This embodiment then removes portions of the layer of photo-imagable material such that openings are formed therein. A layer of conductive material is then applied over the cathode such that conductive material is disposed within the openings in the layer of photo-imagable material. A dielectric layer of material is also disposed between the cathode and the bottom surface of the conductive material. This embodiment of the present invention then removes the layer of photo-imagable material such that at least a portion of the conductive focus waffle structure is formed disposed above the cathode.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a pixel assembly on a faceplate of a display device, such as a field-emission display device. In one embodiment of the present invention, an application device is aligned over a pixel assembly on the faceplate. The present invention dispenses a specific amount of a substance into the pixel assembly such that the substance is dispensed primarily into the pixel assembly and such that the substance is not substantially dispensed outside of the pixel assembly. The present invention dispenses the substance into the pixel assembly such that the substance is not dispensed on a top surface of a matrix structure, where the matrix structure separates rows and columns of adjacent pixel assemblies. In one embodiment, the substance is dispensed into the pixel assembly from a printer head (e.g., an ink-jet printer head) adapted to dispense the substance.

Abstract: A component (10 or 12) of a flat-panel display is cleaned with a fluid having a mole-fraction dominant constituent. The cleaning operation is performed by subjecting the component to the cleaning fluid while its absolute pressure exceeds the absolute pressure at the triple point of the dominant constituent and is at least 20% of the absolute pressure value at the critical point of the dominant constituent. The temperature and pressure of the cleaning fluid are typically controlled in a direction toward the supercritical state of the dominant constituent.

Abstract: A method for forming a three-dimensional multi-level conductive matrix structure for a flat panel display device. In one embodiment, the present invention forms first pixel separating structures across a surface of a faceplate of a flat panel display. The first pixel separating structures separate adjacent first sub-pixel regions. In this embodiment, the first pixel separating structures are formed by applying a first layer of photo-imagable material across the surface of the faceplate. Next, portions of the first layer of photo-imagable material are removed to leave regions of the first layer of photo-imagable material covering respective first sub-pixel regions. Then, a first layer of conductive material is applied over the surface of the faceplate such that the first layer conductive material is disposed between the aforementioned regions of the first layer of photo-imagable material.