Light-emitting panel and a method for making

• US 6,975,068 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2002
• Issued: 12/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Leidos, Inc. (Leidos Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
• Inventors: George, Edward Victor, Johnson, Roger Laverne, Green, Albert Myron, Drobot, Adam Thomas, Wyeth, Newell Convers
• Primary Examiner(s): Santiago, Mariceli
• Application Number:
  US10/303,924
• Publication Number:
  US 20030164684A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,113 Days
• Field of Search: 313/582, 313/586, 313/587
• US Class Current: 313/582
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/20 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0033 Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0036 2-D arrangement of prisms, protrusions, indentations or roughened surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0065 Manufacturing aspects; Material aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 11/18 containing a plurality of independent closed structures for containing the gas, e.g. plasma tube array [PTA] display panels
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 17/16 Vessels; Containers
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 17/49 Display panels, e.g. with crossed electrodes , e.g. making use of direct current display panels making use of alternating current H01J11/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 2217/49285 Associated optical means
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/305 Flat vessels or containers
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 65/046 the field being produced by using capacitive means around the vessel
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 9/185 of flat panel display devices, e.g. by using spacers
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 9/241 the vessel being for a flat panel display H01J9/261 takes precedence; flat discharge lamps H01J9/248

Abstract

An improved light-emitting panel having a plurality of micro-components sandwiched between two substrates is disclosed. Each micro-component contains a gas or gas-mixture capable of ionization when a sufficiently large voltage is supplied across the micro-component via at least two electrodes. An improved method of manufacturing a light-emitting panel is also disclosed, which uses a web fabrication process to manufacturing light-emitting displays as part of a high-speed, continuous incline process.

Claims

1. A curing or sterilization device comprising a light-emitting panel, wherein the light-emitting panel comprises:

a first substrate, wherein the first substrate comprises a plurality of sockets;

a plurality of micro-components, wherein each micro-component comprises a shell at least partially filled with a plasma-forming gas, wherein the micro-component is configured to emit ultraviolet light, and wherein at least one micro-component of the plurality of micro-components is at least partially disposed in each socket;

a second substrate, wherein the second substrate is opposed to the first substrate such that at least one micro-component is sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate; and

a plurality of electrodes, wherein at least two electrodes of the plurality of electrodes are adhered to only the first substrate or only the second substrate so that voltage supplied to the at least two electrodes causes one or more micro-components to emit the ultra-violet light.

2. The curing or sterilization device of claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet light is emitted throughout the filed of view of the light-emitting panel without crossing the at least two electrodes.

3. A device for curing or sterilizing using ultraviolet radiation comprising:

a plurality of micro-components for emitting ultraviolet radiation, wherein each of the plurality of micro-components comprises a shell that is at least partially filled with an ionizable gas;

means for ionizing the ionizable gas and causing the plurality of micro-components to emit ultraviolet radiation; and

means for directing the emitted ultraviolet radiation through a field of view, wherein the means for ionizing the ionizable gas is not located within the field of view.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the means for directing the emitted ultraviolet radiation comprises a first substrate having a plurality of sockets formed therein, wherein at least one of the plurality of micro-components is at least partially disposed in each of the plurality of sockets.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of sockets contains a material that reflects ultraviolet radiation.

6. The device according to claim 4, wherein there are at least two micro-components at least partially disposed in each of the plurality of sockets.

7. The device according to claim 3, wherein the means for ionizing the ionizable gas comprises at least two electrodes configured so as to provide a potential across the ionizable gas.

8. The device according to claim 3, wherein the means for ionizing the ionizable gas is formed of a material that is transparent to ultraviolet radiation.

9. The device according to claim 3, wherein the ionizable gas has a pressure within the range of approximately 100 ton to 700 ton.

10. The device according to claim 3, wherein the ionizable gas is comprised at least in part of at least one noble gas.

11. The device according to claim 4, wherein the shell of each of the plurality of micro-components is at least partially coated with a secondary emission enhancement material.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the secondary emission enhancement material is a low affinity material.

13. The device according to claim 3, wherein the shell of each of the plurality of micro-components is doped with a secondary emission enhancement material.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the secondary emission enhancement material is a low affinity material.