Observation on CNT-FED under various vacuum levels and calculation on number of electron–gas collisions

• Published in: Displays Vol. 27; no. 4; pp. 178 - 182
• Main Authors: Changhui, Tian, Changchun, Zhu, Xinghui, Liu, Xiaoli, Wang, Qikun, Wang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier B.V 01-11-2006; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Carbon nanotube; Display; Electronics; Electron–gas collision; Exact sciences and technology; Field emission; Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices; Vacuum level; Vacuum microelectronics; Carbon nanotube; Vacuum level; Field emission; Electron–gas collision; Electric potential; Electron collision; Anode; Cathode; Electron-gas collision; Carbon nanotubes; Ultraviolet radiation; Light emission; Field emission displays; Ionization; Mathematical model; Flat panel displays; Electron gas
• ISSN: 0141-9382; 1872-7387
• DOI: 10.1016/j.displa.2006.06.001

Based on experimental observation and theoretical analysis, it explicates that light emission of a carbon nanotube-field emission display (CNT-FED) is mainly caused by electron bombardment on the phosphour if the level of vacuum ranges from 10
−4 to 5
Pa. In this case, light emission of the phosphour excited by ultraviolet (UV) light derived from gas discharge cannot be observed. If vacuum level is greater than 5
Pa, no emitted light is observed, since a large amount of gas ionisation reduces the electric potential difference between the cathode and the anode. To analyze collision between electron and gas under field emission conditions, a mathematical and physical model was built. Based on this model the number of electron–gas collisions is calculated. Calculations results indicate that the product of gas pressure and distance between the electrodes (
pd) is a better parameter to characterize the effect of vacuum level for FED than gas pressure only. Calculations results also show that if the distance between the cathode and the anode is increased, it should be to improve the vacuum level to obtain the same effect.