Abstract: A method for manufacturing a field emission cathode comprising the steps of providing a liquid compound comprising a liquid phenolic resin and at least one of a metal salt and a metal oxide, arranging a conductive cathode support (2) such that said conductive cathode support comes in a vicinity of said liquid compound (2) and heating said liquid compound (2). By performing the above mentioned steps, a solid compound foam is formed which is transformed from said liquid compound, said solid compound foam at least partly covering said conductive cathode support. Advantage with the novel compound comprises its improved work function and the minimal or non-existing training period. Hence, this novel method will provide the possibility to manufacture a field emission cathode at a fraction of the cost associated with the in prior art used methods and materials.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an electron/photon source is disclosed based on field emission, cathodoluminescent and photo-enhanced field emission, including an evacuated chamber inside a housing, further including an anode and a cathode arranged inside the evacuated chamber. Furthermore, the cathode is arranged to emit electrons when a voltage is applied between the anode and cathode, the anode being arranged to emit light at a first wavelength range when receiving electrons emitted from the cathode, and a wavelength range converting material arranged to receive the emitted light of the first wavelength range and emit light at a second wavelength range. In a novel way, an embodiment of the present invention makes it possible to, in two steps, convert the electrons emitted from the cathode to visible light.