Field-emission device with carbon nanotubes for a flat panel display

We have fabricated electrode devices with perpendicularly oriented carbon nanotubes using electrophoresis. The attachment of nanotubes to the substrate is achieved using conductive and nonconductive polysilane films. The nanotube device with conductive polysilane film is an excellent field emitter which operates with the low turn-on voltage of 180 V. On the other hand, the device with nonconductive polysilane film shows the bistability with the turn-on voltage of 380 V and turn-off voltage of 250 V. The I–V characteristics of devices are analyzed to estimate the tip radius of operating nanotubes. It is demonstrated that the diode-type display consisting of a phosphor coated transparent-electrode and the nanotube electrode emits strong luminescence.