Patent ID: 7990068

Claim:
A nanoscale electron emitter comprising: a first electrode electrically connected to a first power supply; a second electrode electrically connected to a second power supply; and a nanocylinder electron emitter array disposed over the second electrode, the nanocylinder electron emitter array comprising: a plurality of nanocylinder electron emitters disposed in a dielectric matrix such that an average nanocylinder to nanocylinder distance is at least about one and a half times an average diameter of the nanocylinder, wherein each of the plurality of nanocylinder electron emitters comprises a first end connected to the second electrode and a second end positioned to emit electrons, the first end being opposite to the second end; and a third electrode disposed over the dielectric matrix and electrically connected to a third power supply such that a distance between the third electrode and the second end of the nanocylinder is less than about five times an average nanocylinder diameter.