Field emission double-plane light source and method for making the same

Abstract

A field emission double-plane light source includes a first anode, a second anode, and a cathode separately arranged between the first and second anodes. Each of the first and second anodes includes an anode substrate, an anode conductive layer formed on a surface of the anode substrate, and a fluorescent layer formed on the anode conductive layer. The cathode has a metallic based network with two opposite surfaces, each facing a respective one of the first and second anodes. Each of the surfaces of the network has a respective electron emission layer thereon facing a corresponding fluorescent layer of one of the first and second anodes. Each of the electron emission layers includes a glass matrix, and a plurality of carbon nanotubes, metallic conductive particles, and getter powders dispersed in the glass matrix. A method for making such field emission double-plane light source is also provided.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present field emission double-plane light source and the related method of producing such can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present field emission double-plane light source and the related method of producing such. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an isometric, disassembled view of a field emission double-plane light source, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present device;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the cathode shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric, assembled view of the field emission double-plane light source of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along a line IV-IV of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a circled portion V of FIG. 4.

Claims

1. A field emission double-plane light source comprising: a first anode;a second anode, each of the first and second anodes comprising an anode substrate, an anode conductive layer, and a fluorescent layer, the anode conductive layer being formed on a surface of the anode substrate, the fluorescent layer being created on the anode conductive layer; anda cathode arranged between the first and second anodes and separated therebetween, the cathode comprising a conductive network, the network having two opposite surfaces each facing a respective one of the first and second anodes, each of the surfaces of the network having an electron emission layer thereon, each electron emission layer respectively facing a corresponding fluorescent layer of one of the first and second anodes, each of the electron emission layers comprising a glass matrix, and a plurality of carbon nanotubes, metallic conductive particles, and getter powders dispersed in the glass matrix.

2. The field emission double-plane light source as described in claim 1, wherein the getter powders are composed of a non-evaporating getter material.

3. The field emission double-plane light source as described in claim 1, wherein an average diameter of the getter powders is in the range from about 1 micrometer to about 10 micrometers.

4. The field emission double-plane light source as described in claim 1, wherein the getter powders are comprised of at least one a material selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, thorium, aluminum, and thulium.

5. The field emission double-plane light source as described in claim 1, wherein an average diameter of the nanotubes is in the range from about 1 nanometer to about 100 nanometers, and an average length thereof is in the range from about 5 micrometers to about 15 micrometers.

6. The field emission double-plane light source as described in claim 1, wherein the anode conductive layers of the first and second anodes are each an indium tin oxide film.

7. The field emission double-plane light source as described in claim 1, wherein the metallic conductive particles are comprised of a material selected from indium tin oxide and silver, and an average diameter thereof is in the range of about 0.1 micrometer to about 10 micrometers.

8. The field emission double-plane light source as described in claim 1, wherein the anode substrates of the first and second anodes are each a transparent glass plate.

9. The field emission double-plane light source as described in claim 1, wherein the network is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, nickel, gold and an alloy composed of at least two such metals.

10. A method for making a field emission double-plane light source comprising: (a) providing a plurality of carbon nanotubes, metallic conductive particles, glass particles and getter powders; a metallic based network; a pair of anodes; and a plurality of supporting members, each of the anodes comprising an anode conductive layer and a fluorescent layer formed on the anode conductive layer;(b) mixing the nanotubes, the metallic conductive particles, the glass particles, and the getter powders in an organic medium to form an admixture;(c) forming layers of the admixture on, respectively, an upper surface and a bottom surface of the network;(d) drying and baking the admixture at a temperature of about 300° C. to about 600° C. to at least one of soften and melt the glass particles to result in glass matrixes on the upper surface and the bottom surface of the network, thereby yielding a cathode; and(e) thereafter, assembling and sealing the anodes, the cathode, and the supporting members together to obtain the field emission double-plane light source.

11. The method for making the field emission double-plane light source as described in claim 10, wherein the getter powders are comprised of a non-evaporating getter material having an activity temperature of about 300° C. to about 500° C.

12. The method for making the field emission double-plane light source as described in claim 10, wherein an average diameter of the glass particles is in the range from about 10 nanometers to about 100 nanometers, and the melting temperature thereof is in the range from about 350° C. to about 600° C.

13. The method for making the field emission double-plane light source as described in claim 10, wherein the percent by mass of the getter powders is in the range of about 40% to about 80% of the admixture.

14. The method for making the field emission double-plane light source as described in claim 10, wherein the process of mixing the nanotubes, the getter powders, the glass particles, and the metallic conductive particles is performed at a temperature of about 60° C. to about 80° C. for a time of about 3 hours to about 5 hours.

15. The method for making the field emission double-plane light source as described in claim 10, wherein the drying and baking processes are performed at least one of in a vacuum condition and under a flow of an inert gas.

16. The method for making the field emission double-plane light source as described in claim 10, wherein after forming the electron emission layers, outer surfaces of the electron emission layers are at least one abraded and etched in order to expose ends of the nanotubes.

17. The method for making the field emission double-plane light source as described in claim 10, wherein during a step of sealing the anodes and the cathode, a sealing material is applied between edges thereof and heated up to a temperature of about 400° C. to about 500° C. to effect the sealing.