Electron Emitter With Recessed Insulating Layer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electron emitting elements face issues with breakdown due to sputtering and ozone generation, and struggle to emit a sufficient amount of electrons at moderate voltages, leading to reduced operational time and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An electron emitting element is designed with an insulating fine particle layer having recesses on its surface, allowing for efficient electron acceleration and emission at lower voltages, and incorporating a carbon thin film to prevent dielectric breakdown and extend operational time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an insulating film is made thick to prevent pinholes and dielectric breakdown, then reliability improves, but electron emission efficiency decreases due to increased electric resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating fine particle layer is designed with non-uniform thickness through the formation of recesses. In regions with recesses, the insulating film thickness is reduced to lower electric resistance and improve electron emission efficiency, while in regions without recesses, the full thickness maintains dielectric breakdown resistance. This local variation in thickness allows simultaneous optimization of both reliability and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating fine particle layer is segmented into multiple regions with different thickness characteristics. By forming recesses at specific locations, the layer is divided into thinner regions (for electron emission) and thicker regions (for dielectric strength), allowing the system to benefit from both thin and thick film properties in different locations.
2Productivity
If an insulating film is made thin to improve electron emission efficiency, then electron emission efficiency improves, but reliability decreases due to increased likelihood of dielectric breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating fine particle layer is designed with non-uniform thickness through the formation of recesses. In regions with recesses, the insulating film thickness is reduced to lower electric resistance and improve electron emission efficiency, while in regions without recesses, the full thickness maintains dielectric breakdown resistance. This local variation in thickness allows simultaneous optimization of both reliability and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating fine particle layer is segmented into multiple regions with different thickness characteristics. By forming recesses at specific locations, the layer is divided into thinner regions (for electron emission) and thicker regions (for dielectric strength), allowing the system to benefit from both thin and thick film properties in different locations.
3Productivity
If conventional electron emitting elements use intense electric field to emit electrons, then electron emission is achieved, but element breakdown occurs due to sputtering from ionized gas molecules
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating fine particle layer acts as an intermediary medium between the electron emitting section and the external environment. It provides a controlled path for electron acceleration that reduces the need for intense external electric fields, thereby minimizing gas molecule ionization and subsequent sputtering that causes element breakdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the electric field distribution parameters by introducing the insulating fine particle layer with recesses. This creates localized field enhancement at the recess regions, allowing electron emission at lower overall voltages and reducing the intense electric field that causes gas ionization and sputtering.
4Ease of operation
If conventional electron emitting elements operate in atmosphere, then ease of operation improves, but ozone generation occurs which damages surrounding members
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the electric field parameters through the insulating fine particle layer structure, enabling electron emission at lower voltages. This reduces the intensity of electric field that would otherwise cause oxygen dissociation and ozone generation, allowing atmospheric operation without harmful ozone byproducts.
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
The solution enables the emission of a sufficient amount of electrons at moderate voltages while preventing dielectric breakdown and ensuring continuous operation, improving the stability and efficiency of the electron emitting device.
Implementation Method 1
when a voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, electrons provided from the first electrode are accelerated in the insulating fine particle layer to be emitted though the second electrode
Implementation Method 2
the insulating fine particle layer is provided with recesses formed in a surface thereof, the surface facing the second electrode, the recesses each having a depth smaller than a thickness of the insulating fine particle layer
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an electron emitting element, comprising: a first electrode; an insulating fine particle layer formed on the first electrode and composed of insulating fine particles; and a second electrode formed on the insulating fine particle layer, wherein the insulating fine particle layer is provided with recesses formed in a surface thereof, the surface facing the second electrode, the recesses each having a depth smaller than a thickness of the insulating fine particle layer, and when a voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, electrons provided from the first electrode are accelerated in the insulating fine particle layer to be emitted though the second electrode.