Field emission plane light source and method for making the same

Abstract

A field emission plane light source generally incorporates an anode and a cathode. The anode 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 includes a cathode substrate facing and separated from the anode substrate, a cathode conductive layer formed on a surface of the cathode substrate, and an electron emission layer formed on the cathode conductive layer and facing the fluorescent layer of the anode. The cathode and anode substrates have a seal formed therebetween. The electron emission layer includes a glass matrix and a plurality of carbon nanotubes, metallic conductive particles and getter powders dispersed therein. A method for making such field emission plane light source is also provided.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present field emission plane light source and the relating method thereof 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 plane light source and the relating method thereof. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

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

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cathode of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a circled portion III of FIG. 2.

Claims

1. A field emission plane light source comprising: an anode comprising 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; anda cathode comprising a cathode substrate facing and separated from the anode substrate, a cathode conductive layer formed on a surface of the cathode substrate, and an electron emission layer formed on the cathode conductive layer and facing the fluorescent layer of the anode; the cathode and anode substrates forming a sealed chamber therebetween; and the electron emission layer comprising a glass matrix and a plurality of carbon nanotubes, metallic conductive particles, and getter powders dispersed within the glass matrix.

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

3. The field emission plane light source as described in claim 2, wherein an average diameter of the getter powders is in the range from about 1 micrometer to about 10 micrometers.

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

5. The field emission 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 plane light source as described in claim 1, wherein the anode conductive layer is an indium tin oxide film.

7. The field emission plane light source as described in claim 1, wherein the metallic conductive particles are made 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 plane light source as described in claim 1, wherein an aluminum film is formed on the fluorescent layer of the anode.

9. The field emission plane light source as described in claim 1, wherein the cathode conductive layer is comprised of at least one material selected from the group consisting of indium tin oxide, silicon, silver, copper, nickel, and gold and an alloy composed by at least two such metals.

10. The field emission plane light source as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of the anode substrate and the cathode substrate is a transparent glass plate.

11. A method for making a field emission plane light source comprising: providing a plurality of carbon nanotubes, glass particles, metallic conductive particles and getter powders; an anode comprising an anode conductive layer and a fluorescent layer; a cathode conductive layer; and at least one supporting member;mixing the nanotubes, the metallic conductive particles, the glass particles, and the getter powders in an organic medium to form an admixture;forming a layer of the admixture on a surface of the cathode conductive layer;drying and baking the admixture at a temperature of about 300° C. to about 600° C. to form an electron emission layer on the cathode conductive layer thereby forming a cathode; andthereafter, assembling the anode, the cathode and the at least one supporting member, and sealing them together to obtain a field emission plane light source.

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

13. The method for making the field emission plane light source as described in claim 11, 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.

14. The method for making the field emission plane light source as described in claim 11, wherein the percent by mass of the getter powders is in the range of about 40% to about 80% of the admixture.

15. The method for making the field emission plane light source as described in claim 11, wherein the process of mixing of 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.

16. The method for making the field emission plane light source as described in claim 11, wherein the drying and baking processes are performed at least one of in a vacuum condition and under a flow of an inert gas.

17. The method for making the field emission plane light source as described in claim 11, wherein after forming the electron emission layer, a surface of the electron emission layer is at least one of abraded and etched in order to expose ends of the nanotubes.

18. The method for making the field emission plane light source as described in claim 11, wherein during a step of sealing the anode 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.