Modulator structure for a flat panel display device

Claim 1

In a display device having an evacuated envelope with substantially parallel front and back walls, an electron beam guide, a plurality of discrete first and second control electrodes forming opposing pairs of electrodes partially overlapping said beam guide, a line cathode extending between said opposing pairs of electrodes across one end of said beam guide, and a cathodoluminescent screen on the front wall, the improvement comprising: a modulator structure partially overlapping said beam guide comprising in combination, said back wall on which is disposed said discrete first electrodes, a modulator member having a smoothly continuous surface with said discrete second control electrodes thereon, said continuous surface having two substantially flat portions which are in spaced apart parallel planes, said flat portions including a sealing portion and a distal portion; and means for attaching said sealing portion of said modulator member to said back wall so that registration and electrical connection of said opposing pairs of said discrete first and second control electrodes is achieved.