Article comprising enhanced nanotube emitter structure and process for fabricating article
US6250984A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 25, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 26, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 25, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S977/842
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An improved process for fabricating nanotube field emitter structures is provided, in which the nanotubes protrude from a supporting base material to improve emission properties. The resulting emitter structure are useful in a variety of devices, including microwave vacuum tube devices and flat-panel, field-emission displays. To attain the protruding nanotube emitter structure, according to one embodiment of the invention, nanotubes and metal particles are mixed and consolidated into a compact, and the compact is then sectioned to expose a substantial number of nanotube ends. A layer of the metal is selectively etched from the sectioned surface, leaving the exposed nanotubes protruding from the surface. The extent of protrusion is at least twice the average diameter of the nanotubes, advantageously at least ten times the average diameter of the nanotubes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.