Abstract: A light emitting device has an enclosure with a face portion, a cold cathode within the enclosure, a phosphor layer disposed on an interior surface of the face portion, an extracting grid between the cold cathode and the phosphor layer and a defocusing grid between the extracting grid and the phosphor layer. Electrons emitted from the cold cathode are defocused by the defocusing grid and impact the phosphor layer when an electric field is created between the cold cathode and the phosphor layer due to applied voltages at the cold cathode, extracting grid, defocusing grid and phosphor layer. The phosphor layer emits light through the face portion in response to electrons incident thereon. Secondary electron emission may also occur resulting in increased electron impact upon the phosphor layer, thereby increasing light output. A mirror layer may be included to reflect light toward the face portion of the light emitting device.

Abstract: A light emitting device includes an enclosure with a face portion, a cold cathode within the enclosure, a phosphor layer disposed on an interior surface of the face portion, and a tubulator between the cold cathode and the phosphor layer, the tubulator having a conductive insert. Electrons from the cold cathode are defocused by the conductive insert and impact the phosphor layer when an electric field is created between the cold cathode and the phosphor layer due to applied voltages at the cold cathode, conductive insert and phosphor layer. The phosphor layer emits light through the face portion in response to electrons incident thereon.

Abstract: A light emitting device has an enclosure with a face portion, a cold cathode within the enclosure, a phosphor layer disposed on an interior surface of the face portion, an extracting grid between the cold cathode and the phosphor layer and a defocusing grid between the extracting grid and the phosphor layer. Electrons emitted from the cold cathode are defocused by the defocusing grid and impact the phosphor layer when an electric field is created between the cold cathode and the phosphor layer due to applied voltages at the cold cathode, extracting grid, defocusing grid and phosphor layer. The phosphor layer emits light through the face portion in response to electrons incident thereon. Secondary electron emission may also occur resulting in increased electron impact upon the phosphor layer, thereby increasing light output. A mirror layer may be included to reflect light toward the face portion of the light emitting device.