Patent ID: 8308520

Claim:
A method for generating light, comprising: providing a light emitting device, the light emitting device prepared by a method comprising: forming an anode by depositing a cathodoluminescent (CL) phosphor on an inside of a front surface of a transparent envelope and depositing a conductive coating contacting the CL phosphor; fabricating an electron gun assembly, comprising: fabricating an electron gun having a diffusing grid, an extraction grid, a suppressor ring, and a cathode, the suppressor ring laterally surrounding the cathode, and attaching at least the electron gun to electrical feedthroughs of a glass pump stem; inserting the electron gun assembly into the glass envelope and sealing the glass envelope to the glass pump stem; evacuating the glass envelope; and fabricating a base assembly, the base assembly having a high voltage power supply; and forming the light emitting device by attaching the glass assembly to the base assembly; electrically coupling the suppressor ring to the cathode; applying a first voltage to the extraction grid and diffusing grid, the extraction grid and diffusing grid being biased positive with respect to the cathode of the electron gun; and using the high voltage power supply to apply a high voltage to the anode, thereby accelerating electrons emitted by the electron gun to the anode thereby diffusely stimulating the CL phosphor to emit light.