Abstract: A method for removing a surface protrusion projecting from a layer of a first material deposited on a surface of a substrate. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a layer of a second material is applied on the layer of first material. A sufficient quantity of the second material is removed to expose the surface protrusion. The first material exposed through the surface protrusion is then removed.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a flat panel display having a faceplate and a baseplate comprises creating an electric field between the faceplate and the baseplate to temporarily attract the faceplate to the baseplate and attaching the baseplate and faceplate to each other while the electric field is present. Capacitor(s) are formed on the faceplate and/or baseplate of a flat panel display such that a portion of the capacitor(s) is formed on the faceplate and is aligned with the pixel matrix and/or a portion of the capacitor(s) is formed on the baseplate and is aligned with the cathode member. The first and second portions of the capacitor(s) are energized to opposite polarity voltages, and an electric field is generated which attracts and aligns the two portions of the capacitor(s) to each other. When the two portions of the capacitor(s) are aligned and attracted to each other, the pixel matrix and cathode assembly are inherently aligned with each other.

Abstract: The present invention includes structures, lithographic mask forming solutions, mask forming methods, field emission display emitter mask forming methods, and methods of forming plural field emission display emitters. One aspect of the present invention provides a mask forming method including forming a masking layer over a surface of a substrate; screen printing plural masking particles over a surface of the masking layer; and removing at least portions of the masking layer using the masking particles as a mask. Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of forming plural field emission display emitters.

Abstract: The present invention includes structures, lithographic mask forming solutions, mask forming methods, field emission display emitter mask forming methods, and methods of forming plural field emission display emitters. One aspect of the present invention provides a mask forming method including forming a masking layer over a surface of a substrate; screen printing plural masking particles over a surface of the masking layer; and removing at least portions of the masking layer using the masking particles as a mask. Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of forming plural field emission display emitters.

Abstract: The disclosed method for forming a field emission display includes forming a cathode and an anode, forming a plurality of photoresist posts over the cathode, and coating the posts with a coating material. The coating material forms sidewalls around the posts. The photoresist posts may then be removed from within the sidewalls. The anode may then be fitted onto the sidewalls so that the sidewalls function as spacers in the field emission display.

Abstract: A method for polishing a grid of a field emission display (FED) with a polishing slurry contain very small particle of colloidal particles of amorphous silica in an alkaline medium. The method results in highly selective planarization well-suited for chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) of the grid for the self-aligned CMP-FED fabrication process. An FED grid made according to this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention includes structures, lithographic mask forming solutions, mask forming methods, field emission display emitter mask forming methods, and methods of forming plural field emission display emitters. One aspect of the present invention provides a mask forming method including forming a masking layer over a surface of a substrate; screen printing plural masking particles over a surface of the masking layer; and removing at least portions of the masking layer using the masking particles as a mask. Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of forming plural field emission display emitters.

Abstract: An optical transceiver such as used, for example, in a wireless optical network (WON), includes multiple laser sources including a first laser source configured to transmit a first output channel beam having a first optical characteristic and at least a second laser source configured to transmit a second output channel beam having a second optical characteristic; multiple detectors including a first detector configured to detect a first input channel beam having the first optical characteristic and at least a second detector configured to detect a second input channel beam having the second optical characteristic; and multiple apertures including a first aperture through which the first output channel beam and the second input channel beam pass and a second aperture through which the second output channel beam and the first input channel beam pass.

Abstract: The present invention includes structures, lithographic mask forming solutions, mask forming methods, field emission display emitter mask forming methods, and methods of forming plural field emission display emitters. One aspect of the present invention provides a mask forming method including forming a masking layer over a surface of a substrate; screen printing plural masking particles over a surface of the masking layer; and removing at least portions of the masking layer using the masking particles as a mask. Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of forming plural field emission display emitters.

Abstract: A semiconductor device for use in field emission displays includes a substrate formed from a semiconductor material, glass, soda lime, or plastic. A first layer of a conductive material is formed on the substrate. A second layer of microcrystalline silicon is formed on the first layer. This layer has characteristics that do not fluctuate in response to conditions that vary during the operation of the field emission display, particularly the varying light intensity from the emitted electrons or from the ambient. One or more cold-cathode emitters are formed on the second layer.

Abstract: The present invention includes structures, lithographic mask forming solutions, mask forming methods, field emission display emitter mask forming methods, and methods of forming plural field emission display emitters. One aspect of the present invention provides a mask forming method including forming a masking layer over a surface of a substrate; screen printing plural masking particles over a surface of the masking layer; and removing at least portions of the masking layer using the masking particles as a mask. Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of forming plural field emission display emitters.

Abstract: A field emission device is disclosed having a buffer layer positioned between an underlying cathode conductive layer and an overlying resistor layer. The buffer layer consists of substantially undoped amorphous silicon. Any pinhole defects or discontinuities that extend through the resistor layer terminate at the buffer layer, thereby preventing the problems otherwise caused by pinhole defects. In particular, the buffer layer prevents breakdown of the resistor layer, thereby reducing the possibility of short circuiting. The buffer layer further reduces the risk of delamination of various layers or other irregularities arising from subsequent processing steps. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the field emission device having the buffer layer.

Abstract: A method for polishing a grid of a field emission display (FED) with a polishing slurry contain very small particle of colloidal particles of amorphous silica in an alkaline medium. The method results in highly selective planarization well-suited for chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) of the grid for the self-aligned CMP-FED fabrication process. An FED grid made according to this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for use with an optical communication beam of light is disclosed. The system allows the beam of light to operate at an adequate power level that provides a robust optical link while minimizing any safety risk to humans. Such a system includes multiple operating modes which control the power output of the beam of light. In the normal mode, the beam of light operates at a selected power level which provides a desired signal to noise ratio. Once a blocking occurs, the beam of light enters a power reduction mode to prevent harm to the blocking object. An acquisition and recovery mode is then employed to reestablish the blocked communication link.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention includes a method of forming a layer of particulates on a substrate, comprising: a) fastening a first substrate to a second substrate; b) while the first substrate is fastened to the second substrate, submerging at least a portion of the first substrate in a liquid; c) suspending particulates on an upper surface of the liquid; d) moving the submerged first substrate relative to the suspended particulates to form a layer of the particulates supported on the first substrate; and e) removing the first substrate from the second substrate.

Abstract: The present invention includes structures, lithographic mask forming solutions, mask forming methods, field emission display emitter mask forming methods, and methods of forming plural field emission display emitters. One aspect of the present invention provides a mask forming method including forming a masking layer over a surface of a substrate; screen printing plural masking particles over a surface of the masking layer; and removing at least portions of the masking layer using the masking particles as a mask. Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of forming plural field emission display emitters.

Abstract: A method for removing a surface protrusion projecting from a layer of a first material deposited on a surface of a substrate. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a layer of a second material is applied on the layer of first material. A sufficient quantity of the second material is removed to expose the surface protrusion. The first material exposed through the surface protrusion is then removed.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a flat panel display having a faceplate and a baseplate comprises creating an electric field between the faceplate and the baseplate to temporarily attract the faceplate to the baseplate and attaching the baseplate and faceplate to each other while the electric field is present. Capacitor(s) are formed on the faceplate and/or baseplate of a flat panel display such that a portion of the capacitor(s) is formed on the faceplate and is aligned with the pixel matrix and/or a portion of the capacitor(s) is formed on the baseplate and is aligned with the cathode member. The first and second portions of the capacitor(s) are energized to opposite polarity voltages, and an electric field is generated which attracts and aligns the two portions of the capacitor(s) to each other. When the two portions of the capacitor(s) are aligned and attracted to each other, the pixel matrix and cathode assembly are inherently aligned with each other.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a flat panel display having a faceplate and a baseplate comprises creating an electric field between the faceplate and the baseplate to temporarily attract the faceplate to the baseplate and attaching the baseplate and faceplate to each other while the electric field is present. Capacitor(s) are formed on the faceplate and/or baseplate of a flat panel display such that a portion of the capacitor(s) is formed on the faceplate and is aligned with the pixel matrix and/or a portion of the capacitor(s) is formed on the baseplate and is aligned with the cathode member. The first and second portions of the capacitor(s) are energized to opposite polarity voltages, and an electric field is generated which attracts and aligns the two portions of the capacitor(s) to each other. When the two portions of the capacitor(s) are aligned and attracted to each other, the pixel matrix and cathode assembly are inherently aligned with each other.

Abstract: A method for removing a surface protrusion projecting from a layer of a first material deposited on a surface of a substrate. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a layer of a second material is applied on the layer of first material. A sufficient quantity of the second material is removed to expose the surface protrusion. The first material exposed through the surface protrusion is then removed.