METHOD OF FABRICATION OF MATRIX CARBON-FIBER FIELD-EMISSION CATHODE STRUCTURES FOR FLAT-PANEL INDICATORS

A matrix carbon fiber field-emission cathode structure with isolated emitters has been developed for use in flat-panel fluorescent indicators and displays. The array is composed of singular carbon polyacrilonitril fibers, 7 muA in diameter, united into a matrix by a silicoorganic dielectric. A method of fabrication of the matrix cathode structure is discussed. Cathode matrices with the number of emitters from 10 to 32 X 32 and isolated connections for power supply were made. Control of the emission currents is possible both independently and by coupling the emitters as a common cathode circuit with external conductors. The distance between the emitters in the array is 1.5 or 1 mm; the matrix external sizes are 18 X 20 or 32 X 32 mm. Nominal potential for the designed cathode in a diode configuration was approximately 1.5 kV. The current could be controlled in the range from 0.01 to 100 mA/emitter. Models of flat digital indicators based on the designed cathode arrays were tested.