Cold CRT Guns for Thinner CRTs

Fly writes: "According to EETimes, an Austin startup company is close to producing CRTs with cold-emission electron guns. They claim this will reduce the parts needed for electron guns as well as allow for greater control and deflection of the electron beams leading to thinner CRTs. Their technology uses older chip-manufacturing techniquest to deposit diamond tips for the guns on silicon wafers. They hope to enter the CRT market next year."

Comments

almost makes flat screen technology easier

[dkemist]

A cold electron gun has some other benefits as well. Historically, the biggest problem with making monitor screens truly flat (no warping at the corners) was that the front material needs to be incredibly strong. Screens were rounded slightly to keep them from breaking due to the forces of the vacuum behind them. As screens grew larger and the depth of the monitor increased (in order to let the electron gun get the necessary width) screens had to be stronger. The premium for flat screens is still a couple hundred dollars more than their conventional counterparts.

By having a cold electron gun that allows wider dispersion angles, you can reduce the depth of the monitor, and thereby reduce the strength required from the front screen material.

Re:CRT are on thier way out

[ewieling]

LCDs will replace CRTs when they are *cheaper to buy*.

--Eric

Re:CRT are on thier way out

[shepd]

>They also contain lead, which is banned from landfills

Not everywhere. I threw out some old TVs at the local landfill just a short while ago.

I guess the environmentalists gave up when a scientist explained to them how difficult it is for lead to leach out of glass...

If this were actually dangerous you'd see "Tell your kids: don't lick the TV screen" warnings near the tube of the monitor.

>CRT monitors no matter how small are still big, clunky, and waist energy.

Agreed.

> LCD and TFT monitors will take over the market simply because they are better for the sellers as for the buyers, Smaller size cheaper to store, cheaper to ship. IMHO this company has a few merits but is beating a dead horse.

You forget the merits of a CRT:

- Better saturation
- Closer colour tolerance
- Adjustable colour temperature
- Clearer picture
- Better resolution flexibility
- Better contrast
- Better brightness
- Faster response time
- Simple manufacturing
- Consistent quality - No "dead pixels"
- Very high refresh rates making them perfect for 3d shutter glasses
- Cheaper to fix
- No backlight to wear out (no, don't point out the irony)
- No ghosting
- Free antialiasing

All at a much, much lower price than LCDs.

I don't agree they are better for all buyers, just those forced to buy a 2' x 3' desk for their computer. ;)

As far as better for the sellers, other than the weight difference, I don't see how. Normally customers want cheaper and better. Weight and size are often only a concern when the buyer has made a poor choice in purchasing a desk.