Patent · US Expired

Method of making a field emitter device using randomly located nuclei as an etch mask

US5312514A · kind A · utility

69Cited by
21References
58Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 23, 1993
Grant dateMay 17, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 23, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH05K2203/107
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Method of making a field emitter device with submicron low work function emission tips without using photolithography. The method includes depositing in situ by evaporating or sputtering a discontinuous etch mask comprising randomly located discrete nuclei. In one embodiment an ion etch is applied to a low work function material covered by a discontinuous mask to form valleys in the low work function material with pyramid shaped emission tips therebetween. In another embodiment an ion etch is applied to an electrically conductive base material covered by a discontinuous mask to form valleys in the base material with pyramid shaped base tips therebetween. The base material is then coated with a low work function material to form emission tips thereon.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.