Patent ID: 7670203
Filing Date: 2010-03-02
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. A process for fabricating a vacuum microelectromechanical device, comprising: providing a structure comprising a plurality of structural regions formed on and among a plurality of sacrificial regions, wherein a mask component having an opening therein is defined in one structural region and at least one device component is defined in a second structural region wherein the mask component and the at least one device component each comprise one or more flexural members; treating the structure to remove the sacrificial regions, wherein the removal releases the structural regions comprising the mask component and the at least one device component such that the mask component and the at least one device component are moveable by a force exerted by the one or more flexural members or such that the mask component and the at least one device component become capable of being moved about the one or more flexural members, and wherein the at least one device component is a cathode structure comprising an electrode and wherein the released structural regions further comprises at least a portion of one or more other device components selected from the group consisting of an input structure, an interaction structure, an output structure, and a collection structure; rotating the mask component to overlay the cathode structure whereby the other device components are covered by the mask and the cathode electrode is exposed through the opening in the mask; forming an emitter on the cathode electrode portion exposed through the mask; rotating the mask away from the cathode structure and the other device components; rotating the cathode structure and the at least one other device component to an upright position; and locking the cathode structure and the at least one other device component in the upright position.