Electron source, and image-forming apparatus and method of driving the same

Abstract From the Canadian patent

An electron source emits electrons as a function of input signals. The electron source comprises a substrate a matrix of wires having m row wires and n column wires laid on the substrate with an insulator layer interposed therebetween and a plurality of surface-conduction electron-emitting devices each having a pair of electrodes and a thin film including an electron emitting region and arranged between the electrodes. The electron-emitting devices are so arranged as to form a matrix with the electrodes connected to the respective row and column wires. The electron source further comprises selection means for selecting a row of the plurality of surface-conduction electron-emitting devices …