Patent ID: 7777196

Claim:
An electron emitter device for a display, the device comprising: an electron source plate adjacent a first edge of a display surface; an electron accelerator disposed adjacent an opposing second edge of the display surface, the accelerator having an adjustable accelerator potential difference applied thereto, an electron collector disposed parallel to and adjacent a first side of a linear path extending between the electron source and the electron accelerator; one or more electron deflectors disposed in a matrix on an electron directing plate extending parallel to and adjacent an opposed second side of the linear path extending between the electron source plate and the electron accelerator, each deflector having an adjustable deflector potential difference applied thereto; and a non-metallic vacuum chamber having an adjustable vacuum containing the electron source, the electron collector, the electron accelerator and the one or more electron deflectors wherein the electron source plate is a photocell having a photosensitive side and the device further comprises a light source positioned within the vacuum chamber to provide light of a wavelength selected to excite electrons on the photosensitive side of the photocell, wherein the light source is embedded within the photocell.