Passive matrix phosphor based cold cathode display

摘要

A flat panel display including a plurality of electrically addressable pixels; using a passive matrix on a first substrate, a passivating layer on at least partially around the pixels; a conductive frame on the passivating layer, and a plurality of cold cathode emitters on select portions of the conductive frame within the display, wherein exciting the conductive frame and addressing one of the pixels using the associated passive matrix causes electrons to strike at least one of the pixels and result in the emission of light from those pixels. Using a metal layer (ML) on a second substrate the extent of electrons emitted is enhanced through the incorporation of a noble gas or mixture thereof, causing a multiplication of the electrons emitted by the cold cathode when the gas is ionized.

主权项

1. A flat panel display comprising:
a first substrate, a passive matrix having M rows and N columns on said first substrate wherein an intersection of a row and column defines a pixel location, said pixel location including a conductive pad and a phosphor layer; a second substrate joined to said first substrate about a periphery to form a display housing having an internal hollow, an ionizable gas contained in said hollow maintained at a low pressure; a plurality of cold cathode emitters located on said first substrate, wherein at least one cold cathode emitter is positioned between adjacent pixels and adjacent to a corresponding pixel and when energized emits electrons to activate a selected pixel, and means coupled to said passive matrix to select a pixel;and
means to select one of said cold cathodes to generate electrons that cause said selected pixel to emit light; and means to ionize said gas, wherein interaction of said electrons generated by said selected one of said cold cathodes with said gas causes generation of ions drawn to said selected one of said cold cathodes resulting in an increase of a current produced by the generated electrons striking a corresponding phosphor layer.