Patent ID: 7569980

Claim:
A thermal electron emission backlight unit, comprising: first and second substrates arranged parallel to each other; first and second anode electrodes respectively arranged on inner surfaces between the first and second substrates; wall frames adapted to seal an inner space between the first and second substrates; a movable spacer holder and a fixed spacer holder arranged inside the wall frames to face each other; a plurality of spacers arranged between the first and second substrates and adapted to maintain a gap therebetween, wherein ends of the spacers are coupled to the movable and fixed spacer holders; a plurality of cathode electrodes arranged across the spacers between the first and second substrates; and a phosphor layer arranged on the second anode electrode; wherein the spacers include tension spacers adapted to provide tension between the movable and fixed spacer holders by pushing the movable spacer holder away from the fixed spacer holder; and wherein the first substrate is adapted to pass white light therethrough.