Patent ID: 6441559
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: G09G,H01J

Abstract:
A field emission display comprising:a cathode assembly having a plurality of electron emitters, wherein the plurality of electron emitters are designed to emit an electron current; an anode plate disposed to receive the electron current emitted by the plurality of electron emitters; and a spacer comprised of a bulk spacer material and having a surface, thespacer extending between the cathode assembly and the anode plate, wherein the bulk spacer material has a dielectric constant less than 100, wherein the spacer has a first charging period and a discharging period associated therewith, wherein the first charging period is characterized by accumulation of a positive electrical charge on the surface of the spacer resulting in a resistivity at the surface that is lower than the resistivity of the bulk spacer material during the first charging period, and wherein the discharging period is characterized by the electron current substantially neutralizing the positive electrical charge on the surface of the spacer with an anode voltage at a level below a potential at the surface of the spacer and wherein activation of a plurality of electron emitters positioned proximate the spacer during neutralization are controlled to avoid excessive electron emission, such that a controlled voltage change on the surface of the spacer is low enough to prevent distortion of the trajectory of the electron current proximate to the spacer to an extent sufficient to render the spacer invisible to a viewer of the field emission display.