Abstract: The invention concerns a device comprising at least one field effect electron source within a sealed structure, which encompasses an internal space that contains a reducing gas whose purpose is to prevent oxidation of the emissive material of the electron source, whereby the reducing gas is a gas with the formula NxHy where x=1 or 2 and y=3 or 4, and which is advantageously under a pressure of between 10?8 and 10?1 mbar. It also concerns manufacturing processes for such a device and apparatuses for implementing these processes.

Abstract: Electron source with micropoint emissive cathodes and display means by cathodoluminescence excited by field emission and using said source. Each cathode (5) comprises an electrically conductive layer (22) and micropoints (12) and, according to the invention, a continuous resistive layer (24) is provided between the conductive layer and the micropoints. The display means comprises a cathodoluminescent anode (16) facing the source.

Abstract: A process of producing a display operating by cathodoluminescence excited by field emission, including forming parallel cathodes on a glass substrate, depositing a silica coating on the cathodes, then a conductive coating and then producing a matrix of holes in the conductive coating and silica coating, depositing on the perforated conductive coating a fourth coating not covering the holes and then depositing on the complete structure a coating of an electron emitting material, eliminating the fourth coating so as to expose the microemitters, forming in the conductive coating grids crossing the cathodes and placing above the grids an anode covered by a cathodoluminescent coating.