Abstract: Seal material bars and methods for forming seal material bars, a seal material frame and a method for forming a seal material frame, and a method for forming a flat panel display. Bars of seal material are made by extruding a mixture of glass frit and organic compound. In one embodiment, the glass frit bars have joining features formed in them. Ceramic material is also extruded so as to form seal material bars. The seal material bars are placed between the backplate and the faceplate and glass frit slurry is placed between adjoining seal material bars. Alternatively, seal material bars having joining features are used by mating joining features of adjoining seal material bars. A heating step melts the seal material so as to form a sealed interior region. Alternatively, the bars of seal material are used to form a seal material frame that is disposed between the faceplate and the backplate.

Abstract: A flat panel display and a method for forming a flat panel display. In one embodiment, the flat panel display includes a wall which is held in place by a structure formed either on the faceplate or on the backplate. In one embodiment the supporting structure is formed by two adjacent walls that form a slot which mechanically restrains the wall. In another embodiment a slot is formed within the faceplate and the walls of the slot mechanically restrain the wall. In one embodiment wall segments are inserted into supporting structures that mechanically restrain each wall segment. In another embodiment a UV curable or a heat curable adhesive is used to maintain walls in their proper alignment and position. In yet another embodiment a conductive material is melted so as to bond conductive lines located on the wall and conductive lines located on the faceplate.

Abstract: Portions (40 and 44) of a structure, such as a flat-panel device, are sealed together by a gap-jumping technique in which a sealing area (40S) of one portion is positioned near a matching sealing area (44S) of another portion such that a gap (48) at least partially separates the two sealing areas. The gap typically has an average height of 25 .mu.m or more. With the two portions of the structure so positioned, energy is initially transferred locally to material of a specified one of the portions along part of the gap while the two portions are in a non-vacuum environment to cause material of the two portions to bridge that part of the gap and partially seal the two portions together along the sealing areas.

Abstract: An electrode (12 or 30) of an electron-emitting device has a plurality of openings (16 or 60) spaced laterally apart from one another. The openings can be used, as needed, in selectively separating one or more parts of the electrode from the remainder of the electrode during corrective test directed towards repairing any short-circuit defects that may exist between the electrode and other overlying or underlying electrodes. When the electrode with the openings is an emitter electrode (12), each opening (16) normally extends fully across an overlying control electrode (30). When the electrode with the openings is a control electrode (30), each opening (60) normally extends fully across an underlying emitter electrode (12). The short-circuit repair procedure typically entails directing light energy on appropriate portions of the electrode with the openings.

Abstract: The invention provides spacers for separating and supporting a faceplate structure and a backplate structure in a flat panel display, and methods for fabricating these spacers. Each spacer is typically made of ceramic, such as alumina, containing transition metal oxide, such as titania, chromia or iron oxide. Each spacer can be fabricated with an electrically insulating core and electrically resistive skins. The insulating core can be a wafer formed of ceramic such as alumina, and the resistive skins can be formed by laminating electrically resistive wafers, formed from alumina containing transition metal oxide, to the outside surfaces of the insulating core. Each spacer can also have a core of electrically insulating ceramic composition made of a ceramic containing a transition metal oxide in its higher oxide states, and electrically resistive outside surfaces made of a ceramic containing a transition metal oxide in lower oxide states.

Abstract: A flat-panel device is fabricated by a process in which a pair of plate structures (40 and 42) are sealed along their interior surfaces (40A and 42B) to opposite edges (44A and 44B) of an outer wall (44) to form a compartment. Subsequently, exterior support structure (64) is attached to the exterior surface of one of the plate structures (40) to significantly increase resistance of the compartment to bending. Exterior support structure (66) is normally likewise attached to the exterior surface of the other plate structure (42) after the sealing operation. The compartment is then typically pumped down to a high vacuum through a suitable pump-out port (46) and closed.

Abstract: Spacers (140 or 404) suitable for a flat panel display are fabricated according to a process in which a laminated wafer (100 or 400) is formed by laminating a core wafer (401) of electrically insulating ceramic to an additional wafer (402 or 403) created at least from electrically insulating ceramic, transition metal, and oxygen, at least part of the oxygen being bonded to the transition metal and/or constituents of the ceramic. The laminated wafer is then cut to form the spacers. Face metallization strips (101-110 or 405 and 406) may be provided over outside face surfaces of the laminated wafer.

Abstract: The invention provides spacers for separating and supporting a faceplate structure and a backplate structure in a flat panel display, and methods for fabricating these spacers. Each spacer is typically made of ceramic, such as alumina, containing transition metal oxide, such as titania, chromia or iron oxide. Each spacer can be fabricated with an electrically insulating core and electrically resistive skins. The insulating core can be a wafer formed of ceramic such as alumina, and the resistive skins can be formed by laminating electrically resistive wafers, formed from alumina containing transition metal oxide, to the outside surfaces of the insulating core. Each spacer can also have a core of electrically insulating ceramic composition made of a ceramic containing a transition metal oxide in its higher oxide states, and electrically resistive outside surfaces made of a ceramic containing a transition metal oxide in lower oxide states.

Abstract: A structure, such as a flat-panel device, is sealed together by a gap-jumping technique in which an edge (44S) of a wall (44) is positioned near a matching sealing area (40S) of a plate structure (40) such that a gap (48) at least partially separates the edge of the wall from the sealing area of the plate structure. The gap usually has an average height of 25 .mu.m or more. Energy is then transferred locally to material of the wall along the gap to cause material of the wall and the plate structure to bridge the gap and seal the plate structure to the wall. The energy-transferring step is typically performed with light energy provided by a laser (56). Local energy transfer can also be utilized to tack the plate structure to the wall at multiple spaced-apart locations (44A) along the wall. The tacking operation is typically performed as a preliminary step to sealing the plate structure to the wall.

Abstract: According to the invention, a flat panel device includes a spacer for providing internal support. In one embodiment, the spacer is made of ceramic, glass-ceramic, ceramic reinforced glass, devitrified glass, metal with electrically insulative coating or high-temperature vacuum-compatible polyimide, and can be a spacer wall, a spacer structure including a plurality of holes, or some combination of a spacer wall, spacer walls, and spacer structure. Spacer surfaces are treated to reduce secondary emissions and prevent charging of the spacer surfaces. The flat panel device can include a thermionic cathode or a field emitter cathode, and the faceplate and backplate can both be straight or both be curved. The flat panel device can include an addressing grid. In a method according to the invention for assembling a flat panel device, spacer walls are held in proper alignment during assembly by being inserted into a notch formed in the addressing grid and/or a top or bottom wall of the enclosure.

Abstract: A light-emitting structure (306) contains a main section (302), a pattern of ridges (314) situated along the main section, and a plurality of light-emissive regions (313) situated in spaces between the ridges. The light-emissive regions produce light of various colors upon being hit by electrons. The ridges, which extend further away from the main section than the light-emissive regions, are substantially non-emissive of light when hit by electrons. Each ridge includes a dark region. The ridges thereby form a raised black matrix that improves contrast and color purity. When the light-emitting structure is used in an optical display, the raised black matrix contacts internal supports (308) and, in so doing, protects the light-emissive regions from being damaged. The light-emitting structure can be formed according to various techniques of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides spacers for separating and supporting a faceplate structure and a backplate structure in a flat panel display, and methods for fabricating these spacers. Each spacer is typically made of ceramic, such as alumina, containing transition metal oxide, such as titania, chromia or iron oxide. Each spacer can be fabricated with an electrically insulating core and electrically resistive skins. The insulating core can be a wafer formed of ceramic such as alumina, and the resistive skins can be formed by laminating electrically resistive wafers, formed from alumina containing transition metal oxide, to the outside surfaces of the insulating core. Each spacer can also have a core of electrically insulating ceramic composition made of a ceramic containing a transition metal oxide in its higher oxide states, and electrically resistive outside surfaces made of a ceramic containing a transition metal oxide in lower oxide states.

Abstract: A flat panel device is provided with an internal support structure in the form of a spacer. In one fabrication technique, the spacer is formed as a laminate of multiple layers of ceramic, glass-ceramic, ceramic-reinforced glass, devitrified glass, or/and metal coated with electrically insulating material. The spacer is placed between a backplate structure and a faceplate structure which are connected together to form an enclosure that encases the spacer. In another fabrication technique, the spacer constitutes a spacer wall placed between the backplate and faceplate structures. When the backplate structure is connected to the faceplate structure to form an enclosure that encases the spacer wall, the spacer wall follows a corrugated path adjacent to at least one of the faceplate and backplate structures.

Abstract: According to the invention, a flat panel device includes a spacer for providing internal support. In one embodiment, the spacer is made of ceramic, glass-ceramic, ceramic reinforced glass, devitrified glass, metal with electrically insulative coating or high-temperature vacuum-compatible polyimide, and can be a spacer wall, a spacer structure including a plurality of holes, or some combination of a spacer wall, spacer walls, and spacer structure. Spacer surfaces are treated to reduce secondary emissions and prevent charging of the spacer surfaces. The flat panel device can include a thermionic cathode or a field emitter cathode, and the faceplate and backplate can both be straight or both be curved. The flat panel device can include an addressing grid.

Abstract: A flat panel device contains a faceplate, a backplate, a light-emitting mechanism, and a spacer. The faceplate is connected to the backplate to form a sealed enclosure. The spacer is situated within the enclosure and supports the two plates against forces acting towards the enclosure. The spacer can take various forms and can be constituted with various materials. In one embodiment, the spacer includes a spacer wall formed with multiple sheets of laminated material consisting of ceramic, glass-ceramic, ceramic reinforced glass, devitrifying glass, or metal coated with electrical insulation. In another embodiment, the spacer includes a spacer wall having a surface that follows a non-straight path adjacent the faceplate. In yet another embodiment, the spacer is a spacer structure through which a plurality of holes extends. The light-emitting mechanism is typically implemented with an electron-emitting cathode and light-emissive material situated over the faceplate.

Abstract: An optical device contains first and second plates (302 and 303), a pattern of ridges (314) situated over the first plate, light-emissive regions (313) situated in spaces between the ridges, electron-emissive elements (309) situated over the second plate, and supporting structure (308) that maintains a desired spacing between the plates. The electron-emissive elements emit electrons that strike the light-emissive regions, causing them to produce light of various colors. The ridges, which extend further away from the first plate than the light-emissive regions, are substantially non-emissive of light when hit by electrons. Each ridge includes a dark region formed with metal, ceramic, semiconductor, or/and carbide. The ridges thereby form a raised black matrix that improves contrast and color purity.

Abstract: A light-emitting structure (306) contains a main section (302), a pattern of ridges (314) situated along the main section, and a plurality of light-emissive regions (313) situated in spaces between the ridges. The light-emissive regions produce light of various colors upon being hit by electrons. The ridges, which extend further away from the main section than the light-emissive regions, are substantially non-emissive of light when hit by electrons. Each ridge includes a dark region. The ridges thereby form a raised black matrix that improves contrast and color purity. The dark region of each ridge may be formed with metal, ceramic, semiconductor, or carbide. Each ridge may include an additional region (314b) of different chemical composition than the dark region.

Abstract: A fiber optic device for remote delivery of intense ultraviolet optical signals comprising an excimer laser source and an optical fiber. The output of the pulsed, transverse discharge, high pressure laser source is coupled to an articulating reflection mechanism which directs the pulsed laser output to an input end of the optical fiber. The optical fiber serves to transmit the light from the laser source to a remote location or target. The excimer laser further comprises a segmented first elongated laser electrode and a coextensive second laser electrode which is substantially solid. The discharge is stabilized by inductors connected to each segment of the first electrode and further by preionization electrodes located adjacent and coextensive with the second electrode. The preionization electrodes comprise a central conductor surrounded by a dielectric sleeve. The laser further comprises a closed gas system for the lasing medium gas.

Abstract: An improved optical beam integration system for homogenizing a nonuniform radiant energy beam having a nonuniform beam intensity profile characteristic. The optical beam integration system comprises a first crossed lenticular cylindrical lens structure, a second crossed lenticular cylindrical lens structure, and a focusing lens interposed between a radiant energy source and an image or work plane. The nonuniform radiant energy beam from the radiant energy source refracts sequentially through the first and second crossed lenticular cylindrical lens structures and the focusing lens so as to produce a homogenized beam which forms an image in the work plane. The work plane is at a constant distance from the optical beam integration system. Preferably, the optical beam integration system is adjustable for selectively setting the size of the image produced by the homogenized beam in the work plane.

Abstract: A high average power, high repetition rate pulsed gas transport laser system is disclosed. A pulse forming network location for minimizing electrical discharge loop inductance is provided. RFI shielding is included as a result of containment of the pulse forming network housed in a dielectric structure eccentrically mounted within a pressurizable vessel and forming a portion of a high-speed gas flow loop. The gas recirculating blower motor is mounted external to the pressurizable vessel and, therefore, does not add to the laser system dimensions. The blower is coupled to the blower motor by a magnetic coupling. Blower speed and power can be changed readily. Corona or cold-cathode X-ray preionization is provided in order to provide arc-free gas discharge. Materials compatible with the laser gases are used in construction. The laser system is configured to be compact, to be easily maintainable, and to be readily adapted for laser industrial processing.