PHOSPHOR CHALLENGE FOR FIELD-EMISSION FLAT-PANEL DISPLAYS

The requirements of low-energy excitation combined with practical cons traints of commercial supply and other issues, mandate the use of read ily available commercial CRT phosphors, such as ZnS and Y2O3-based P22 , for first-generation field-emission flat-panel displays. The use of these phosphors at low (e.g., less than or equal to 2-4 kV) excitation energies places considerable problems with brightness, efficacy, spec tral response, long-term reliability, screen manufacture and materials synthesis, surface conditioning and outgassing protection, and low-co st manufacturing. The tradeoffs imposed by using phosphors designed fo r optimum performance in the 15-30 kV range at the low voltages employ ed by field-emission displays are presented and discussed. (C) 1997 Am erican Vacuum Society.