Abstract: An electron-emitting apparatus according to the present invention comprises (A) a substrate, which has a first major surface and a second major surface that are positioned opposite each other, (B) an electron-emitting device, which includes a first electrode, to which a first voltage is applied, and a second electrode, to which a voltage Vf is applied, that are mounted, with an intervening interval, on the first major surface, (C) an anode electrode, which is located opposite and at a distance H from the first major surface, (D) first voltage application means, for applying to the second electrode the voltage Vf that is higher than the first voltage, and (E) second voltage application means, for applying to the anode electrode a voltage Va that is higher than the voltage Vf, wherein a space defined between the anode electrode and the electron-emitting device is maintained in a reduced-pressure condition, and wherein, when a value Xs=H*Vf/(&pgr;*Va) is established for a plane that is substantially per

Abstract: A field emission display includes an array of emitter sites, a grid for controlling electron emission from the emitter sites, and a display screen. The field emission display also includes a control circuit for controlling the grid for preventing emission to grid. The control circuit includes a high impedance grid bias path, and a low impedance grid bias path. In addition, the control circuit includes a sensing-switching circuit for sensing an anode voltage at the display screen, and switching from the high impedance to the low impedance grid bias path upon detection of a threshold anode voltage. An alternate embodiment control circuit is configured to provide a programmable delay during enabling of the grid to insure that the display screen reaches the threshold voltage prior to electron emission. An alternate embodiment field emission display includes a focus ring that is controlled to prevent emission to grid.

Abstract: A field emission display includes electrostatic discharge protection circuits coupled to an emitter substrate and an extraction grid. In the preferred embodiment, the electrostatic discharge circuit includes diodes reverse biased between grid sections and a first reference potential or between row lines and a second reference potential. The diodes provide a current path to discharge static voltage and thereby prevent a high voltage differential from being maintained between the emitter sets and the extraction grids. The diodes thereby prevent the emitter sets from emitting electrons at a high rate that may damage or destroy the emitter sets. In one embodiment, the diodes are coupled directly between the grid sections and the row lines. In one embodiment, the diodes are formed in an insulative layer carrying the grid sections. In another embodiment, the diodes are integrated into the emitter substrate.

Abstract: A method for producing an image-forming apparatus, the image-forming apparatus comprises a container, an electron-emitting device disposed in the container and has an electron-emitting section between a pair of electrodes, the electron-emitting device being adapted to emit electrons with application of a voltage between the pair of electrodes, and an image-forming member for forming an image by irradiation of the electrons emitted from the electron-emitting device, the production method having a step of irradiating the image-forming member with electrons emitted from the electron-emitting device, wherein the electrons to irradiate the image-forming member are electrons emitted by applying to the electron-emitting device the voltage of an opposite polarity to that of a voltage applied between the pair of electrodes of the electron-emitting device during driving for image formation of the image-forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image display apparatus comprises, in a vacuum container whose inside is kept under vacuum, a fluorescent layer, an electron emission source having a plurality of electron sources, a deflecting electrode to deflect electron beams emitted from the electron emission source, and an ultrafocusing electrode to focus the electron beams and land the focused electron beams on predetermined positions of the fluorescent layer. The ultrafocusing electrode is arranged between the electron emission source and the fluorescent layer while the deflecting electrode is arranged between the electron emission source and the ultrafocusing electrode, so that the fluorescent layer is illuminated by the electron beams. If the landing position of the electron beam is deviated because of errors such as manufacturing errors in assembling the components into the image display apparatus, the deviation is minimized and an image display apparatus with high resolution can be obtained.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily obtaining a white balance and performing image display with excellent color reproduction properties, and a method of manufacturing and adjusting the image forming apparatus. A plurality of surface conduction electron-emitting devices (1002) are arranged on a substrate (1001). Light emission is performed in accordance with the colors (R, G, and B) of phosphors applied to a phosphor film (1008) upon electron emission from the devices, so that an image is formed. The electron-emitting characteristics of the surface conduction electron-emitting devices (1002) are shifted in advance in correspondence with corresponding phosphor colors. Therefore, a satisfactory white balance of light emission of the R, G, and B phosphors can be obtained.

Abstract: A photo-cathode electron source suitable for use in flat panel displays has an extractor grid means (104) maintained, in use, at a positive potential with respect to the photo-cathode surface. The extractor grid may be used as a carrier for unfired photoemissive material which forms the emission surface of the photo-cathode. The material is deposited on the surface (103) of the photo-cathode means (102) by means of evaporation from the extractor grid (104).