OL5.NOV–pm
The FEDs are coming!
The first diamond-based field-emitter displays (FEDs) may appear as early
as the first half of 1994. That will be a result of a cross-licensing
agreement between SI Diamond Technology (SIDT), Inc. (Houston) and
Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corp. (MCC). SIDT will
manufacture the displays in 5,000 sq ft of space leased from MCC in
Austin, TX. Although FED technology has been around for a couple of
decades, it has only recently been turned into a viable display solution
(see Electronic Products, Dec. 1991, p. 17). FEDs offer many advantages
over present flat-panel display alternatives in the areas of brightness,
contrast, response time, power consumption, and manufacturability. And,
according to SIDT, diamonds operated at room temperature are the optimum
FED material when it comes to emitting electrons in low electric fields.
Key to the agreement ironed out between MCC and SIDT is the access SIDT
will have to existing photolithography and fabrication equipment, as well
as to MCC's experienced operations and technical personnel. This will
allow the production process to hit the ground running, giving SIDT time
to achieve its target of leapfrogging Japanese-dominated flat-panel
display technologies–including active-matrix liquid-crystal displays. The
market for flat-panel displays is forecast by industry analysts to grow
from $3.7 billion in 1993 to more than $9.4 billion by the year 2000.
Japanese manufacturers now supply more than 95% of the units sold worldwide.
For more information from SIDT, call Marijane Ensminger at 713-529-9040
or . For more from MCC, call Bill Stotesbery at 512-338-3785.
–Patrick Mannion
Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corp., 3500 WEst Balcones Center
Drive, Austin, TX 78759
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