Patent ID: 6862010

Claim:
Method for controlling the voltage of a matrix structure electron source, said source comprising at least one line and at least one addressing column, the intersection of which defines one or several emissive zones called pixels and where the electrons are supplied by the column, said method being at sequential method, characterised in that: firstly, setting the emission of electrons by applying potentials on the selected line and the column(s) at a value suited to allowing this emission and then maintaining these potentials at their value throughout the duration of the emission, carrying out a sampling and an analog memorisation of the emission current of each pixel of the column(s) concerned, at the start of the emission time, and using another current supplied by a current generator that is proportional to the value of the measured emission current circulating the column(s), and secondly, measuring the quantity of charge delivered, during all or part of the remaining line time, by each current generator, and when this quantity reaches a required value, commuting the potential of the column associated to the current generator to a value that ensures the blocking of the emission of electrons of the pixel of this column.