Abstract: In a cathodoluminescent display device, spacer elements are used to provide rigid mechanical support between the face and back plates when the chamber of the device is evacuated so that thin face and back plates may be used even for large-screen displays. The spacer support includes a spacer plate having holes therein for passage of electrons between the anode and cathode where a predetermined small number of one or more pixel dots corresponds to and spatially overlaps one hole, thereby reducing crosstalk. Shadow-reducing electrodes are employed on the back plate and spacer members alongside the cathode to cause the path of electrons from the cathode to the anode to bend towards the spacer members in order to reduce shadows caused by the presence of the spacer members. Various configurations of the two or three sets of grid electrodes may be employed to improve resolution and focusing.

Abstract: A cathodoluminescent device employs elongated grid electrodes such as small gauge wires for addressing and controlling the brightness of the display, thereby increasing the osmotic coefficient of the grid electrodes. End portions of the cathode filaments are bent into springs to reduced cold terminal effects. The edges of the face plate of the device are curved to reduced the visual effects of mosaic slots. The display may be operated at low anode voltage with increased luminescence so that full screen scanning is possible. Different sections of narrow strips forming a staggered structure strengthens the integrity of the device and reduces dark areas in the display.