A cold cathode lighting element prototype

In this study, we present a prototype of lighting element in which a carbon-containing field emission material is used as the cathode. The operating characteristics, i.e. current–voltage characteristics, current stability, luminance and lifetime of the lighting element are tested. By applying high-voltage phosphor, a maximum brightness of 10000 cd/m2 has been recorded and a lighting element under lifetime test has been operating in DC driving mode for over 2500 h without decay in emission current and brightness. These results imply that the prototype lighting element is suitable for commercial application.