Gate-controlled electron-emitter array panel, active matrix display including the same, and method of manufacturing the panel

摘要

An active matrix display comprising an array of gate-controlled surface-conduction electron-emitter devices (GC_SEDs). Each gate-controlled_surface-conduction electron-emitter device (GC_SED) comprises a first electrode, and a pair of (second and third) electrodes that are insulated from the first electrode and that are spaced apart from each other to bound an electron-emitting area overlapping the first electrode. The potential barrier in the electron-emitting area (slit) between the second and third electrodes is modulated (controlled, switched) by applying a voltage to the first electrode that serves as a gate that effectively controls the tunneling of the electrons, between the second and third electrodes. Efficient electron tunneling is allowed through modulation of potential barrier by the first electrode functioning as a gate even though the distance (width of the electron-emitting area, slit) between the second and third electrodes may be significantly more than 10 nanometers.