Uniform carbon‐nanotube emitter for field‐emission displays

Abstract— The synthesis of carbon‐nanotube (CNT) field emitters for FEDs by thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and their structural and emission characterization are described. Multi‐walled nanotubes (MWNTs) were grown on patterned metal‐base electrodes by thermal CVD, and the grown CNTs formed a network structured layer covering the surfaces of the metal electrode uniformly, which realized uniform distribution of electron emission. A technique for growing narrow MWNTs was also developed in order to reduce the driving voltage. The diameter of MWNT depends on the growth temperature, and it has changed from 40 nm at the low temperature (675°C) to 10–15 nm at the high temperature (900–1000°C). Moreover, narrower MWNTs were grown by using the metal‐base electrode covered with a thin alumina layer and a metal catalyst layer. Double‐walled nanotubes (DWNTs) were also observed among narrow MWNTs. The emission from the narrow CNTs showed a low turn‐on electric field of 1.5 V/μm at the as‐grown layer.     

Large‐area FEDs with carbon‐nanotube field emitter

Abstract— Application of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as field emitters for large‐area FED panels is described. In 1998, we presented the first experimental devices: light‐source tubes for outdoor large‐area displays and a diode‐type flat‐panel display, both with screen‐printed CNT cathodes. The fisrt practical high‐luminance color CNT‐FED panel was built in 1999. It employed the new triode‐structure panel was x‐y addressable. The CNT‐FED structure was further optimized for large‐area display panels by improving the luminous uniformity. This paper also describes the design and performance of a new, experimental, 40‐in.‐diagonal panel, which showed that the CNT‐FED technology is suitable for use in large‐area displays.     

Active‐matrix field‐emission display based on a CNT emitter and a‐Si TFTs

Abstract— An active‐matrix field‐emission display (AMFED), based on carbon‐nanotube (CNT) emitters and amorphous‐silicon thin‐film transistors (a‐Si TFTs), was developed. The AMFED pixels consisted of a high‐voltage a‐Si TFT and mesh‐gated CNT emitters. The AMFED panel demonstrated high performance for a driving voltage less than 15 V. The low‐cost large‐area AMFED approach using a metal‐mesh technology is proposed.     

Characteristics of an electron source of a surface‐conduction electron‐emitter display

Abstract— The electron source is an essential part of a surface‐conduction electron‐emitter display (SED). An electron source for an SED was obtained after certain procedures were performed. By introducing a carbon atmosphere, the electron‐emission characteristics of a SED were studied experimentally. The electron‐emission characteristic curves were drawn after comparing the experimental data of the electron source obtained in a vacuum environment with the data obtained in a carbon atmosphere, from which it had proved that a carbon atmosphere could significantly improve the electron‐emission characteristics of a SED. As a result, both the device current and the emission current had become stronger and the efficiency of surface‐conduction electron emission had been improved significantly. The possible reasons were analyzed: more carbon, which could possibly form the electron‐emission region of a SED, was produced from the carbon atmosphere during the electrical activation process.     

Towards a low‐cost high‐quality carbon‐nanotube field‐emission display

Abstract— We have developed field‐emission‐display technology driven by chemical‐vapor‐deposition‐grown carbon‐nanotube emitters incorporated in a simple, low‐cost device structure. Here, we report on frit‐sealed test displays with a brightness of 3000 cd/m² at 3 kV and a lifetime of 9000 hours with only 45% degradation. We also demonstrate the scalability of the technology with a uniform high‐brightness 6‐in. QVGA that displays video images with a switching voltage of 40 V.     

Carbon‐nanotube electron emitters for display applications

Abstract— The optoelectronic, mechanical, and thermal properties of carbon nanotubes have made them very attractive for a wide range of potential applications. However, many applications require the growth of aligned/micropatterned carbon nanotubes with or without a modified nanotube surface. We have developed several simple pyrolytic methods for large‐scale production of aligned carbon‐nanotube arrays perpendicular to the substrate surface. We have also used photolithographic and soft‐lithographic techniques to pattern our aligned carbon nanotubes with submicron resolution. These aligned carbon‐nanotube arrays can be transferred onto various substrates of particular interest (e.g., on conducting substrates as electron emitters for flat‐panel displays) in either a patterned or non‐patterned fashion. The well‐aligned structure further allows us to prepare aligned coaxial nanowires of carbon nanotubes sheathed with polymers and to modify the surface of individual carbon nanotubes by plasma treatment. These aligned/micropatterned carbon nanotubes with and without surface modification possess desirable properties for electron emission applications.     

A field‐sequential‐color display with a local‐primary‐desaturation backlight scheme

Abstract— Field‐sequential‐color technology eliminates the need for color filters in liquid‐crystal displays (LCDs) and results in significant power savings and higher resolution. But the LCD suffers from color breakup, which degrades image quality and limits practical applications. By controlling the backlight temporally and spatially, a so‐called local‐primary‐desaturation (LPD) backlight scheme was developed and implemented in a 180‐Hz optically compensated bend (OCB) mode LCD equipped with a backlight consisting of a matrix of light‐emitting diodes (LEDs). It restores image quality by suppressing color breakup and saves power because it has no color filter and uses local dimming. A perceptual experiment was implemented for verification, and the results showed that a field‐sequential‐color display with a local‐primary‐desaturation backlight reduced the color breakup from very annoying to not annoying and even invisible.     

Dynamic studies on the charging of spacers for high‐voltage field‐emission displays

Abstract— In this article, a systematic study on the relationship between the rate of spacer surface‐charge accumulation and the anode voltages in a dynamic setting is presented. The spacers are placed in a test package simulating a field‐emission panel where electron trajectories are recorded along a preset timeline. True secondary emission of spacers under the influence of an anode field is then deduced and the factors affecting the rate of charge accumulation on the spacer surface are discussed. The results of invisible spacers under different operating conditions of anode voltage, emission current, and pulse width will also be given.     

Tetrahedrally bonded amorphous carbon for field‐emission displays

Abstract— Field emission from a series of tetrahedrally bonded amorphous‐carbon (ta‐C) films, deposited in a filtered cathodic vacuum arc, has been measured. The threshold field for emission and current densities achievable have been investigated as a function of sp³/sp² bonding ratio and nitrogen content. Typical as‐grown undoped ta‐C films have threshold fields of the order 10–15 V/μm and optimally nitrogen doped films exhibit fields as low as 5 V/μm. In order to gain further understanding of the mechanism of field emission, the films were also subjected to H₂, Ar, and O₂ plasma treatments and were also deposited onto substrates of different work function. The threshold field, emission current, and emission site densities were all significantly improved by the plasma treatment, but little dependence of these properties on work function of the substrate was observed. This suggests that the main barrier to emission in these films is at the front surface.     

Numerical analysis of density of energy states for electron‐emission sources in MgO

Abstract— An analytical method to determine the density of energy states of electron‐emission sources (EESs) in chemical‐doped MgO is described using a discharge probability model and a thermal excitation and emission model. The density of energy states for multiple types of EESs is represented by using a linear combination of Gaussian functions of which parameters are determined by the theoretical emission time constant of an exoelectron and statistical delay time ts extracted from experimental stochastic distributions of discharge delay time in plasma‐display panels. When applied to Si‐doped MgO, the effective number of Si EES is calculated to be 1.8 × 10⁶ per cell. The average and standard deviations of activation energy have an energy level of 770 meV and a large value of 55 meV. In Si and H co‐doped MgO, the high peak density of [H^2?]⁰ appears at 550 meV. ts at the short time interval of 1 msec decreases and is independent of temperature due to exoelectron emission from the [H^2?]⁰. The dependence of ts at a time interval of 10 msec on temperature becomes weak because the energy structure of the Si EES broadens significantly attributed to the electrostatic effects of the doped H atoms.     

A rollable,organic electrophoretic QVGA display with field‐shielded pixel architecture

Abstract— A 100‐μm thin QVGA display was made by combining a 25‐μm thin organic transistor active‐matrix backplane with an electrophoretic display film. High contrast and low crosstalk was achieved by the addition of a field shield to the backplane. The display can be bent repeatedly to a radius of 2 mm without any performance loss. Extended mechanical tests at a radius of curvature of 7.5 mm show that the display can be rolled at least 30,000 times without noticeable degradation.     

Growth and characterization of carbon nanotubes for field‐emission‐display applications

Abstract— This paper will report on the production, dimensional control, and characterization of arrays of cold‐cathode field emitters based on multiwall carbon nanotubes, suitable for use in large‐area field‐emission‐based displays.     

Very‐sensitive direct measurement of plasma‐display exoemission

Abstract— The exoemission of electrons from the MgO cathode surface has a great impact on many properties of plasma displays and needs to be carefully engineered for successful display products. A method for direct measurement of this exoemission current using an ultra‐high‐impedance amplifier, which detects the integrated exoemission charge collected by a capacitance, is presented. The large discharge and displacement currents initiated by the changing sustain waveform, which could overload and saturate the sensitive amplifier, are shorted by a very low impedance switch in the form of a common reed relay. The exoemission current from the MgO cathode is significantly amplified by avalanches in the gas, and thus methods for directly measuring the avalanche amplification factor so as to correct the measured current and obtain the true exoemission current from the cathode are described. This highly variable avalanche amplification factor is measured and estimated to be as large as 500 when the voltage across the gas is just below breakdown. Methods are covered to correct for the small ion currents that flow in the plasma‐panel soda glass substrates and that add an unwanted error signal. Practical circuit techniques for measuring the very small exoemission currents are presented.     

Film surface morphology and field‐emission characteristics of a carbon‐nanotube array pattern fabricated under a magnetic field

Abstract— This study focuses on the influence of sodium metasilicate binder on CNT paste and the arrangment of Mg‐Ni alloy multi‐walled carbon nanotubes on the surface of CNT film under the influence of a magnetic field. The CNT paste was prepared by mixing CNTs with silver epoxy resin and sodium metasilicate solution and coating them onto the surface of indium tin oxide (ITO) glass. The impact of sodium metasilicate solution and magnetic strength on the morphology of the paste film's surface and on the field‐emission (FE) characterics of the cathode was examined. The experimental results showed that the CNT paste provided good adhesion between the CNT array and silver epoxy resin when sodium metasilicate solution was presented. CNT paste containing sodium metasilicate showed a better dispersion with silver epoxy resin and a better CNT‐array pattern, and better vertical alignment of the CNT was obtained when the magnetic field and grid were both appied. An optimal condition for a better CNT‐array pattern for both the morphology and FE characteristics had a magnetic strength of 1 89 mT, magnetization time of 30 min, and a grid above the cathode.     

Electron‐beam curing of color filters for flexible‐display applications

Abstract— Color filters spin‐coated on plastic and glass substrates have been cured by electron‐beam radiation instead of by the conventional thermal‐heating method. The electron‐beam curing of the color filters has many advantages over the thermal curing method. Electron‐beam curing is, in principle, a non‐thermal method where low‐temperature (<100°C) curing of color filters on plastic substrates can be realized for the manufacturing process of flexible display panels. A color‐filter resist having a 1.5‐μm thickness was spin‐coated on plastic (polycarbonate) and glass (corning 1737) substrates. The effect of the electron‐beam radiation conditions, such as electron‐beam energy (0.3–1.0 keV), radiation dosage (10–200 kGy), and ambient oxygen has been characterized. The degree of curing was analyzed by using the characteristic absorption peaks at 808 and 1405 cm^?1 in the FT‐IR spectrum. These two peaks originate from the carbon double bonds (>C=C<) of the multi‐functional acrylate monomer which exist in the color‐filter resist. By electron‐beam radiation, the spin‐coated color filter can be effectively polymerized at g (glass transition temperature) of the plastic substrates. The electron beam can solve the problems of the conventional thermal curing method, such as thermal deformation of a plastic substrate and difficulty in achieving dimensional control of a color‐filter pattern due to a large coefficient of thermal expansion (20–70 ppm/°C) compared to that of a glass substrate.     

Properties and characterization of carbon‐nanotube‐based transparent conductive coating

Abstract— Transparent and electrically conductive coatings and films have a variety of fast‐growing applications ranging from window glass to flat‐panel displays. These mainly include semiconductive metal oxides such as indium tin oxide (ITO) and polymers such as poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) doped and stabilized with poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT/PSS). In this paper, we show alternatives to ITO and conducting polymers, using single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT). These CNT‐based technologies offer conducting substrates having a broad range of conductivity, excellent transparency, neutral color tone, good adhesion, abrasion resistance, and flexibility. Additional benefits include ease of both processing and patterning. This paper reports on optoelectronic properties and structure characterization of these materials.     

Practical CNT‐FED structure for high‐luminance character displays

Abstract— A high‐luminance CNT‐FED character display using a simple line rib structure was constructed. The display panel had 48 × 480 dots and the subpixel pitch was 1 mm. The greatest benefit of a display using CNT technology is high luminance performance with low‐power consumption. The luminance of the green‐color dot wasca. 10,000 cd/m² under 1/1 6 duty‐cycle driving at a 6‐kV anode voltage. The high luminance of the display panel can provide good visibility when installed even in outdoor locations, and the power consumption was ca. 4 W at the character displaying module. This, a CNT‐FED for character displays also has potential multifunctionality, which could be battery driven. It should be useful for public displays even under emergency no‐power conditions. In this work, a practical structure and process technologies for making ribs with reasonable cost were developed. The newly introduced 2‐mm‐tall line ribs as spacers were formed by using innovative production processes; i.e., the rib paste was pushed out of a multi‐slit nozzle, and the rib shape was formed by UV‐light irradiation. The developed panel structure and manufacturing processes also had the advantages of size flexibility and high production yield.     

Fabrication and characterization of surface‐conduction electron emitters for SED application

Abstract— A surface‐conduction electron emitter (SCE) for next‐generation flat‐panel displays has been developed. PdO thin films (approximately 10 nm thick) produced by an ink‐jet process were used to form the surface‐conduction electron emitter. The films were electroformed and activated while a voltage was applied, and an electron emitter with good characteristics was obtained. A current density of approximately 30 mA/cm² was attained when an anode voltage of 10 kV was applied. Furthermore, a 36‐in. surface‐conduction electron‐emitter display (SED), consisting of SCEs and a phosphor screen similar to that of a CRT, was also developed.     

Active‐matrix and flexible liquid‐crystal displays with carbon‐nanotube pixel electrodes

Abstract— The necessary processes to use random carbon‐nanotube networks as transparent conductors in twisted‐nematic liquid‐crystal displays have been developed, replacing indium tin oxide. Because the nanotubes are deposited vacuum‐free from suspension, the potential advantages are lower costs for material, equipment, and production. Nanotube networks are also much better suited for flexible displays than the commonly used metal oxides. With the developed processes, the world's first full‐color active‐matrix LCDs as well as directly addressed flexible displays on plastic substrates with carbon‐nanotube pixel electrodes, have been realized.     

Single‐layered multi‐color electrowetting display by using ink‐jet‐printing technology and fluid‐motion prediction with simulation

Abstract— This paper describes a single‐layered multi‐color electrowetting display (EWD) by using ink‐jet‐printing (IJP) technology and comparing different pattern electrodes with the use of the numerical investigations of ANSYS FLUENT®. This work consists of two parts: the first describes the design of implementing a single‐layered multi‐color EWD and the second demonstrates the application of ANSYS FLUENT® simulation in different pattern electrodes settings on the proposed EWD. The single‐layered multi‐color EW device was evaluated by using various colored oils without adopting a color filter. The single‐layered multi‐color EWD at a driving voltage of 25 V can achieve a maximum aperture ratio and reflectivity of 80% and 38.5%, respectively. The colored saturation of R, G, B oils can increase to 50% (NTSC: 13.3–27.8%). In addition, a radiate electrode at the required viewable area condition of 85% and force 5 * F^k, which results in ink stable contraction and a shorter response time of 50% (radiate vs. square), was proposed. The experimental results and simulation demonstrate that ink‐jet‐printing (IJP) technology along with the use of radiate electrodes can result in a single‐layered multi‐color EWD with a shorter response time.