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

— 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.