Array Substrate with Embedded Electron Emission Sources

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional field emission displays suffer from non-uniform electron emission source distribution and interference among sources, leading to uneven brightness and reduced emission efficiency due to intersecting nano-structures.

Innovation Solution

The array substrate design includes a passivation layer with vias for electron emission sources, a dielectric layer with blocks covering intersecting portions, and an electron absorption layer to separate and align sources, enhancing emission efficiency by burying intersecting parts and exposing emission ends.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If electron emission sources are densely distributed to improve emission efficiency, then brightness uniformity deteriorates due to interference among sources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectron emission efficiencyVSAvoidbrightness uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the electron emission source into multiple segments: a first portion embedded in the dielectric layer and a second portion extending outward. This segmentation allows the emission sources to be distributed densely while the dielectric layer isolates them, preventing interference and maintaining brightness uniformity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dielectric layer acts as an intermediary substance that fills the spaces between electron emission sources and covers their intersecting portions. This intermediary structure enables dense distribution of sources while preventing direct interference between them, thus maintaining both high emission efficiency and uniform brightness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If nano-structures are used to improve emission efficiency, then manufacturing precision deteriorates due to intersecting structures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemission efficiencyVSAvoidstructure alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The dielectric layer is formed beforehand to fill the via holes and cover the intersecting portions of electron emission sources before the sources are fully assembled. This preliminary action prevents manufacturing defects caused by intersecting nano-structures and ensures proper alignment without requiring extremely high precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If electron emission sources are buried to reduce interference, then emission efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemission efficiencyVSAvoidlayer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dielectric layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as an insulating layer, fills the via holes to embed the electron emission sources, covers the intersecting portions to prevent interference, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate layers, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving the burial of emission sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design significantly improves electron emission efficiency by reducing interference and ensuring uniform brightness across the display panel, with improved light emission from the phosphor layer.

Implementation Method 1

a voltage is applied on an electron emission source, causing electron tunneling through surface potential barrier of the electron emission source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectField emission: Electron Beam

Implementation Method 2

Light emission is achieved from a phosphor bombarded by electrons emitted from the electron emission source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCathodoluminescence: Cathodoluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS10141154B2Array substrate, display panel and display apparatus having the same, and fabricating method thereof

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD

AI summary

The present application discloses an array substrate comprising a first substrate, a first electrode on the first substrate, a passivation layer on a side of the first electrode distal to the first substrate, the passivation layer comprising a plurality of first vias, each of which corresponds to a different part of the first electrode, an electron emission source layer on a side of the first electrode distal to the first substrate comprising at least one electron emission source in each of the plurality of first vias, and a dielectric layer on a side of the first electrode distal to the first substrate comprising a plurality of dielectric blocks corresponding to the plurality of first vias, at least a portion of each of the plurality of dielectric blocks in each of the plurality of first vias. The at least one electron emission source comprises a first portion having a first end and a second portion having a second end. The first end is in contact with the first electrode, the first portion is within a corresponding one of the plurality of dielectric blocks. The second portion and the second end are outside the corresponding one of the plurality of dielectric blocks.