High field characteristics of insulators in the micrometric regime relevant to field emission displays

In large area FEDs, solid-insulating spacers must be used to provide mechanical support between the cathode and anode electrodes. The insulation consideration for this spacer is complicated in the light of the operational environment of FEDs: electron bombardment, outgassing, and the elevated operational temperature of the device. The spacer technologies for FEDs need to be fully investigated. This paper will address issues related to the prebreakdown and breakdown characteristics of spacers, which bridge the vacuum gaps formed between thin film metal electrodes. In this study, the FEA cathode and the phosphor anode are represented by thin-film metal electrodes. The results presented here will provide useful information for spacer design in FEDs.