Electron-emitting device, electron source using the electron-emitting devices, and image-forming apparatus using the electron source

摘要

There is provided an electron-emitting device with high electron emission efficiency and with stable electron emission characteristics over a long period. The electron-emitting device has a substrate (1), first and second carbon films (21b,21a) laid with a first gap (8) in between on the surface of the substrate (1), and first and second electrodes (4b,4a) electrically connected to the first carbon film (21b) and to the second carbon film (21a), respectively. In the electron-emitting device, the distal portion (B) of the first carbon film (21B) is located above the surface of the substrate (1) at a greater distance (Hb) than the distance (Ha) of the distal portion (A) of the second carbon film (21a) above the surface of the substrate (1). In use, to effect electron emission, a higher potential is applied to the first electrode (4b) than to the second electrode (4a). An electron source is provided having a multiplicity of these devices on a common substrate (1). Such an electron source is provided in image forming apparatus opposite to an image forming member.