Triode structure flat panel display employing flat field emission cathode

摘要

A flat panel display of a field emission type having a triode (three terminal) structure and useful as a device for displaying visual information is disclosed. The display includes a plurality of corresponding light-emitting anodes and field-emission cathodes, each of the anodes emitting light in response to emission from each of the corresponding cathodes, each of the cathodes including a layer of low work function material having a relatively flat emission surface which includes a plurality of distributed localized electron emission sites and a grid assembly positioned between the corresponding anodes and cathodes to thereby control emission levels to the anodes from the corresponding cathodes. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the layer of low work function material is amorphic diamond film. The grid assembly includes a conductive layer deposited between the plurality of anodes and cathodes and over interstices between the cathodes, the conductive layer having apertures therein, the cathodes aligned with, and of the same size as, the apertures.