Patent ID: 7576479

Claim:
An electron emitter comprising: an emitter layer which comprises a primary component comprising a ferroelectric composition represented by the following formula (1): Pb x Sr p La q (Mg y/3 Nb 2/3 ) a Ti b Zr c O 3 (1) [wherein 0.85≦x≦1.03, 0.02≦p≦0.15, 0.001≦q≦0.15, 0.8≦y≦1.0, 0.1≦a≦0.55, 0.15≦b≦0.45, 0.1≦c≦0.6, and a+b+c=1], and an additional component comprising a transition metal oxide of high oxidation number which can serve as an oxidizing agent by being converted into a transition metal oxide of lower oxidation number, the emitter layer being configured so that when a predetermined driving electric field is applied thereto in a reduced-pressure atmosphere, it emits electrons toward the atmosphere; a first electrode provided on the emitter layer; and a second electrode provided on the emitter layer, the electron emitter being configured so that when the driving electric field is applied to the emitter layer through application of a predetermined drive voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode, electrons are emitted from the emitter layer toward the reduced-pressure atmosphere.