39.3: Carbon Nanotube FED Elements

Abstract

Abstract We succeeded for the first time in installing carbon nanotubes to vacuum tubes as field emitters. The fabrication processes of carbon nanotube field emission displays (FEDs) are almost the same as those for vacuum fluorescent displays (VFDs). A carbon‐nanotube array was mounted on a cathode substrate in several ways. Surface treatment of fabricated carbon nanotube layers is important to emit electrons efficiently. Stable electron emission end adequate luminance of carbon nanotubes as field emitters were demonstrated using CRT‐lighting‐elements and VFD‐like flat panel displays. A lighting‐element is now undergoing a test of its lifetime under a dc12kV driving condition, suggesting a lifetime of over 10,000 hours.