Patent ID: 7728496

Claim:
An electron emission device, comprising: a first substrate and a second substrate provided in opposition to one another with a predetermined gap therebetween; a plurality of cathode electrodes formed on a surface of the first substrate opposing the second substrate; an insulation layer formed so as to cover the cathode electrodes and having a plurality of apertures that pass therethrough formed at predetermined locations; a plurality of gate electrodes formed on the insulation layer and having a plurality of apertures that pass therethrough, the apertures of the gate electrodes being formed at areas corresponding to the apertures of the insulation layer, and the apertures of the gate electrodes and the apertures of the insulation layer exposing the cathode electrodes; a plurality of electron emission regions formed in the apertures at areas wherein the cathode electrodes are exposed; and an anode electrode formed on a surface of the second substrate opposing the first substrate; wherein a surface of the electron emission regions opposite a surface adjacent to the cathode electrodes is curved with a predetermined radius of curvature; wherein the electron emission regions are positioned within the apertures and in contact with the insulation layer; and wherein the surface of the electron emission regions opposite a surface adjacent to the cathode electrodes is formed with a shape similar to an overall shape of equipotential lines formed in the apertures when there is no electron emission region in the apertures, and predetermined drive voltages are applied to the cathode electrodes, the gate electrodes and the anode electrode.