Field emitting inks for consumer-priced broad-area flat-panel displays

Field emitting inks, consisting of conducting and semiconducting particles in an insulating matrix have been formulated and characterized as potential cold cathodes. Samples have been tested in a parallel electrode configurat ion to characterize their broad-area emission and to demonstrate patterning of the material. This has led to a portable sealed-off unit proving the ca pabilities of this ink-based technology. In addition, a probe system has be en used to measure the emission current uniformity and threshold field dist ribution over a range of samples at a variety of probe resolutions. A serie s of tests at different electrode separations has shown that the emission i s also a genuine field effect rather than being dependent primarily on the voltage. This has important benefits for producing an energy efficient and inexpensive gated structure with a narrow electrode separation in a working flat-panel display. (C) 2000 American Vacuum Society. [S0733-211X(00)07302 -9].