US5227699A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Recessed gate field emission
Assignee: BP Corp North America Inc
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Filing: 1991-08-16
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Granted: 1993-07-13
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Expires: 2011-08-16
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus for providing signal modulation or control of collector initialized and sustained field emission in field emitter devices without input circuit loading. A special control gate is used to modulate emission with no resultant steady-state emitter-gate current, thus increasing input resistance. The control gate may be well spaced from the emitter tip and the collector because it is not used to initiate and sustain emission from the emitter. This lowers emitter-gate and collector gate capacitances, thereby increasing input reactance for high frequency input signals. The collector-sustained field emission provides a low output resistance with relatively great collector-emitter spacing to provide high output reactance so that the high frequency response is extended.
Inventors
- 👤 Heinz H. Busta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:49
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J21/00; H01J21/02; H01J21/06; H01J21/10; H01J3/00; H01J3/02; H01J3/021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of modulating collector current in a field emitter device comprising an emitter and a collector in proportion to an information signal, comprising the steps of: applying a positive potential to said collector relative to said emitter to initiate and sustain field emission between said emitter and said collector along a field emission path; positioning a control gate outside said field emission path by spacing said control gate further from said collector than the distance of the emitter surface of said emitter from said collector to prevent significant emission between said emitter and said control gate with a potential applied to said control gate; and applying an information signal potential to said control gate relative to said emitter to modulate said field emission between said emitter and said collector in proportion to said information signal potential.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of modulating collector current in a field emitter device comprising an emitter and a collector in proportion to an information signal, comprising the steps of: applying a positive potential to said collector relative to said emitter to initiate and sustain field emission between said emitter and said collector along a field emission path; positioning a control gate outside said field emission path by spacing said control gate further from said collector than the distance of the emitter surface of said emitter from said collector to prevent significant emission between said emitter and said control gate with a potential applied to said control gate; and applying an information signal potential to said control gate relative to said emitter to modulate said field emission between said emitter and said collector in proportion to said information signal potential.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of positioning said control gate comprises the step of protruding the emission surface of said emitter through an aperture in said control gate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of positioning said control gate comprises the step of protruding the emission surface of said emitter through a gap between sections of said control gate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of applying said information signal potential comprises the application of positive information signal potential relative to said emitter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of applying said information signal potential comprises the application of negative control potential relative to said emitter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
115 words
A field emitter device for modulating output current in proportion to an information signal, comprising: at least one field emitter to provide a source of field emission current; a collector that has an applied positive potential relative to said emitter to initiate and sustain field emission current from said field emitter along a field emission path; and at least one control gate positioned away from said field emission path and spaced a greater distance from said collector than the spacing of the emission surface of said field emitter from said collector that has an applied information signal potential relative to said emitter to modulate said field emission current in proportion to said information signal potential.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
115 words
A field emitter device for modulating output current in proportion to an information signal, comprising: at least one field emitter to provide a source of field emission current; a collector that has an applied positive potential relative to said emitter to initiate and sustain field emission current from said field emitter along a field emission path; and at least one control gate positioned away from said field emission path and spaced a greater distance from said collector than the spacing of the emission surface of said field emitter from said collector that has an applied information signal potential relative to said emitter to modulate said field emission current in proportion to said information signal potential.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The field emitter device set forth in claim 6, wherein said emitter protrudes through an aperture in said control gate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The field emitter device set forth in claim 6, wherein said emitter protrudes through a gap between sections of said control gate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The field emitter device set forth in claim 6, wherein said collector is a phosphor screen of a display panel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The field emitter device set forth in claim 9, wherein said device comprises a plurality of said emitters and a plurality of said control gates.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The field emitter device set forth in claim 9, wherein said emitters and control gates are arrayed to control pixels of a display on said phosphor screen of said display panel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
The field emitter device set forth in claim 6, wherein said emitter is coupled to a moving element in a mechanical transducer to vary the spacing between the emission surface of said emitter, said control gate and said collector in proportion to the motion of said moving element of said mechanical transducer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The field emitter device set forth in claim 6, further comprising a lasant material positioned within at least a portion of said field emission path to be pumped by said field emission.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of modulating collector current in a field emitter device comprising an emitter and a collector in proportion to an information signal, comprising the steps of: applying a positive potential to said collector relative to said emitter to initiate and sustain field emission between said emitter and said collector along a field emission path; positioning a control gate outside said field emission path to prevent significant emission between said emitter and said control gate with a potential applied to said control gate; and applying an information signal potential to said emitter relative to said control gate to modulate said field emission between said emitter and said collector in proportion to said information signal potential.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of modulating collector current in a field emitter device comprising an emitter and a collector in proportion to an information signal, comprising the steps of: applying a positive potential to said collector relative to said emitter to initiate and sustain field emission between said emitter and said collector along a field emission path; positioning a control gate outside said field emission path to prevent significant emission between said emitter and said control gate with a potential applied to said control gate; and applying an information signal potential to said emitter relative to said control gate to modulate said field emission between said emitter and said collector in proportion to said information signal potential.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
127 words
A field emitter device for modulating output current in proportion to an information signal, comprising: at least one field emitter to provide a source of field emission current that has an applied information signal potential; a collector that has an applied positive potential relative to said emitter to initiate and sustain field emission current from said field emitter along a field emission path; and at least one control gate positioned away from said field emission path and spaced a greater distance from said collector than the spacing of the emission surface of said field emitter from said collector that has an applied steady-state potential relative to said information signal potential to permit said emitter to modulate said field emission current in proportion to said information signal potential.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
127 words
A field emitter device for modulating output current in proportion to an information signal, comprising: at least one field emitter to provide a source of field emission current that has an applied information signal potential; a collector that has an applied positive potential relative to said emitter to initiate and sustain field emission current from said field emitter along a field emission path; and at least one control gate positioned away from said field emission path and spaced a greater distance from said collector than the spacing of the emission surface of said field emitter from said collector that has an applied steady-state potential relative to said information signal potential to permit said emitter to modulate said field emission current in proportion to said information signal potential.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The field emitter device set forth in claim 15, wherein said emitter protrudes through an aperture in said control gate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The field emitter device set forth in claim 15, wherein said emitter protrudes through a gap between sections of said control gate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The field emitter device set forth in claim 15, wherein said collector is a phosphor screen of a display panel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
116 words
A field emitter device for modulating output current in proportion to a mechanical information signal, comprising: at least one field emitter to provide a source of field emission current; a collector that has an applied positive potential relative to said emitter to initiate and sustain field emission current from said field emitter along a field emission path; and at least one control gate positioned away from said field emission path and spaced a greater distance from said collector than the spacing of the emission surface of said field emitter from said collector that has an applied potential relative to said emitter to permit said mechanical information signal applied to said emitted to modulate said emission current.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
116 words
A field emitter device for modulating output current in proportion to a mechanical information signal, comprising: at least one field emitter to provide a source of field emission current; a collector that has an applied positive potential relative to said emitter to initiate and sustain field emission current from said field emitter along a field emission path; and at least one control gate positioned away from said field emission path and spaced a greater distance from said collector than the spacing of the emission surface of said field emitter from said collector that has an applied potential relative to said emitter to permit said mechanical information signal applied to said emitted to modulate said emission current.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
131 words
A field emitter device for modulating output current in proportion to a mechanical information signal, comprising: at least one field emitter to provide a source of field emission current; a collector that has an applied positive potential relative to said emitter to initiate and sustain field emission current from said field emitter along a field emission path; and at least one control gate positioned away from said field emission path and spaced a greater distance from said collector than the spacing of the emission surface of said field emitter from said collector that has an applied potential relative to said emitter to permit said mechanical information signal applied to one of a group of device elements comprising said emitter, said control gate and said collector to modulate said field emission current.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
131 words
A field emitter device for modulating output current in proportion to a mechanical information signal, comprising: at least one field emitter to provide a source of field emission current; a collector that has an applied positive potential relative to said emitter to initiate and sustain field emission current from said field emitter along a field emission path; and at least one control gate positioned away from said field emission path and spaced a greater distance from said collector than the spacing of the emission surface of said field emitter from said collector that has an applied potential relative to said emitter to permit said mechanical information signal applied to one of a group of device elements comprising said emitter, said control gate and said collector to modulate said field emission current.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-07-12 | 1997-01-11 | 1997-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-12 | 2001-01-11 | 2001-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-12 | 2005-01-11 | 2005-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |