Degradation mechanisms and vacuum requirements for FED phosphors

Degradation of phosphors in field emission displays (FED's) is described and related to electron beam stimulated surface reactions between ZnS and residual gas in the vacuum system. The requirements for producing and maintaining vacuums in FED packages is reviewed and limitations associated with the size of the FED's are discussed. It is concluded that vacuum production and maintenance is critical to the performance of FED's, and this is not a simple task.