Field-emission display based on nonformed MIM-cathode array

We developed nonformed metal-insulator-metal (MIM) cathodes and demonstrated their suitability for field-emission displays (FEDs). The MIM cathodes have an emission current density of 5.8 mA/cm/sup 2/ at an operation voltage of 9 V. The cathodes are operated in the nonformed state, and they exhibit no fluctuation in the emission current, even without a ballast resistor. At a cathode-anode separation of 2 mm and an acceleration voltage of 4 kV, the divergence of the emitted electron beam is 25 /spl mu/m. These features make nonformed MIM cathodes suitable for high-voltage acceleration-type FEDs. We also fabricated a prototype 3.8-cm diagonal frit-sealed color display, and demonstrated its matrix-multiplexing operation.