Field-emission device with carbon nanotubes for a flat panel display

We have fabricated electrode devices with perpendicularly oriented carbon n anotubes using electrophoresis. The attachment of nanotubes to the substrat e is achieved using conductive and nonconductive polysilane films. The nano tube device with conductive polysilane film is an excellent field emitter w hich operates with the low rum-on voltage of 180 V. On the other hand. the device with nonconductive polysilane film shows the bistability with the tu rn-on voltage of 380 V and turn-off voltage of 250 V. The I-V characteristi cs of devices are analyzed to estimate the tip radius of operating nanotube s. It is demonstrated that the diode-type display consisting of a phosphor coated transparent-electrode and the nanotube electrode emits strong lumine scence. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.