Patent ID: 6914374
Filing Date: 2005-07-05
Classification: B82Y,G11B,H01J

Abstract:
1. A planar electron emitter device, the planar electron emitter device comprising: an emitter electrode; an extractor electrode; and a solid-state field controlled electron emitter having a Schottky metal-semiconductor junction fabricated on the emitter electrode and electrically coupled to the extractor electrode such that an electric potential placed between the emitter electrode and the extractor electrode results in field emission of electrons from an exposed surface of the Schottky metal-semiconductor junction, wherein the semiconductor layer of the Schottky metal-semiconductor junction includes an outer perimeter that is thicker in depth than at an interior portion of the semiconductor layer thereby reducing electron beam emission at the outer perimeter wherein an electric field applied between the emitter electrode and the extractor electrode draws emission electrons from the surface of the planar electron emitter towards the extractor electrode at a higher rate at the interior portion than at the outer perimeter.