Characteristic features of new electron-multiplying channels in a field emission display

Abstract

We have developed a microchannel plate (MCP) to increase the efficiency of a field emission display (FED) by introducing new materials and process technologies. A substrate was constructed with alumina, and channel walls of pore arrays of the MCP were deposited with thin films using electroless plating and sol-gel process. The resulting MCP has been evaluated with a high input current source from a continuous electron beam and from Spindt-type field emitters. Some features of the MCP were also characterized in terms of brightness, anode current, input and output pulse, and focused luminescent spot, in a FED. With the MCP between the cathode and the anode of a FED, the brightness and anode current increased four- to fivefold due to electron multiplication through an array of pores in the device. In addition, the fabricated microchannel plate was found to prevent spreading of electrons emitted from the cathode tips, thus improving both display resolution and picture quality.