KR20010090988A - Method of evacuating and sealing flat panel displays and flat panel displays using same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A flat panel display vacuumization and sealing method and flat panel display using the same is provided to reduce time and cost for manufacturing display, while achieving a precise allowable error between the base plate and screen. CONSTITUTION: A method comprises a first step of preparing a first plate and a second plate; a second step of heating a frit so as to form a plurality of convex concave portions at the surface of a bead(44); a third step of locating the second plate onto the frit so as to at least partially restrict a space; a fourth step of vacuumizing the space by using a flow path provided by the convex concave portions; and a fifth step of heating the plates to a temperature higher than the temperature where the frit partially flows, and applying a force to the first plate and the second plate such that the frit is partially compressed.

Description

Method of evacuating and sealing flat panel displays and flat panel displays using same}

The present invention relates to a flat panel display having a baseplate used to generate an image and a faceplate applied to view the image. More particularly, it relates to a method of evacuating and sealing the space between the screen and the base plate, and to flat panel displays and elements manufactured using such a method.

Flat panel displays are generally used for a variety of purposes such as, for example, display panels for notebook computer displays, electronic devices and devices, and portable televisions and camcorders. One commonly used flat panel display is a liquid crystal display in which an image is generated by applying a signal to the base plate to selectively adjust the transmittance of the liquid crystal filling the space between the base plate and the transparent screen. The transmittance of this liquid crystal is adjusted on a pixel-by-pixel basis to produce a monochrome or color image that can be seen through the screen.

Another type of flat panel display proposed for use in various applications is a field emissions display. Field emission displays employ a base plate having an emitter or set of emitters (a group of emitters connected to each other) and a substrate comprising an array of extraction grids surrounding each of the emitters. This emitter is generally biased between -30 and 0 volts while the extraction grid is generally biased between 30 and 100 volts. When the voltage of the extraction grid is more active with sufficient voltage (eg, 60 volts or more), electrons are extracted from the emitter.

The field emission display further includes a screen spaced apart from and parallel to the base plate, thereby forming a space between the base plate and the screen. The surface of the screen facing the base plate is coated with a layer of transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide. Finally, this transparent conductive layer is coated with a layer of cathodoluminescent material. This cathode light emitting material can be applied to the transparent conductive layer in a pattern or uniformly corresponding to the desired image. Different cathodic materials may also be applied at different locations to produce a color image or multiple color images.

In operation, a high positive voltage, 1000 volts in size, is applied to the conductive layer that coats the screen to attract electrons emitted by the emitter to the conductive material. The electrons moving to the screen strike the cathode luminescent material and transfer its energy, thereby brightening the cathode luminescent material and drawing an image that can be seen through the transparent screen. The space between the base plate and the screen of the field emission display must be evacuated and remain evacuated even after long periods of use. If the space between the base plate and the screen is not properly evacuated, when the residual gas in this space is energized by the extracted electrons, the image may be bent or radiated by discharge to operate the field emission display. And greatly shorten the service life. The emitter must also be precisely aligned to the desired area of the cathode material. A gettering agent, such as the ST-122 gettering agent sold by SAES, is placed in the space between the base plate and the screen to maintain vacuum during use and storage.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the screen 10 is generally glass or glass / ceramic, and generally a sealant frit, such as glass or metal, is located near the periphery 14 of the screen. To form a bead 12 extending around the perimeter. To assemble the field emission display, a field emission display base plate 20 (FIG. 2) is positioned over the screen 10 with respect to the interface face 24 formed along the top surface of the frit bead 12. The plates 10, 20 are heated above the temperature at which the frit bead 12 flows while these two plates apply a compressive force under the weight of one of the plates or on the plates 10, 20. The frit bead 12 is therefore compressed, causing the frit bead 12 to flow or be pushed out and adhere to the plates 10, 12. After cooling the plates 10, 20, this frit bead 12 seals the plates 10, 20.

The above process is very satisfactory if the space between the plates 10, 20 does not need to be evacuated. However, as mentioned before, the space between the plates 10, 20 must then be evacuated. There are two main approaches to evacuating the space between the plates 10, 20. In one of these approaches, a tube or other conduit (not shown) is embedded in the frit bead 12. Holes may also be formed in one of these plates, for example by drilling. A vacuum tube is then melted in the plate to cover the hole during the heating process of the plates 10, 20 to form a rigid and airtight seal between the plates 10, 12. The space between these plates 10, 20 is evacuated using a vacuum pump through the tube or conduit and the tube or conduit is thermally or resistively heated and shrouded to seal itself. This approach has several disadvantages, which is the cost of forming and then sealing this tube or conduit, followed by the risk of leakage or rupture. This approach also requires space for tubes or conduits, which is a difficult problem in some applications where packaging space is limited, such as laptops.

Another conventional approach to evacuating and sealing the space between these plates 10, 20 is illustrated in FIG. 3 and described in US Pat. Nos. 5,697,825 and 5,788,551 to Dinca et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference. . In this approach, frit protrusions 28 are formed at positions spaced along the frit beads 12, such as at the edges of the screen 10. When the base plate 20 is positioned on the screen 10, the protrusion 28 positions the base plate 20 on the interface face 24 of the frit bead 12. As a result, a gap 30 is formed between the interface face 24 of the frit bead 12 and the base plate 20 to evacuate the space defined by the plates 10, 20 and the frit bead 12. Provide a flow path for

After the base plate 20 is placed on the projection 28, these plates 10, 20 are placed in a vacuum oven (not shown). This vacuum oven heats these plates 10, 20 in an environment of almost zero pressure. Since the pressure in this vacuum oven is reduced, residual gas consisting mainly of air is drawn out through the gap 30 from the space between the plates 10, 20. After the space between the plates 10, 20 is substantially evacuated, the plates 10, 20 are heated to a temperature at which the frit beads 12 begin to flow. The compressive force applied to the plates causes the protrusion 28 to completely collapse into the frit bead 12 and partially compress the frit bead 12. This frit bead 12 is then bonded to the screen 20 such that a hermetic seal is formed between the plates 10, 20. These plates are cooled before removing the vacuum in the vacuum oven and exposing the plates 10, 20 to atmospheric pressure. The result of this procedure is a hermetic sealed and vacuumed space between the plates 10, 20.

Although the above procedure has several advantages for the use of tubes or conduits to evacuate the space, it is nevertheless not improved. First, the need to form protrusions 28 on the frit beads 12 increases the time and cost of making field emission displays. Second, there is no guarantee that all the projections 28 are exactly the same size. Even sized protrusions 28 may compress the frit beads 12 unevenly. Although spacers (not shown) are generally used to space the screen 10 at a fixed distance from the base plate 20, it is nevertheless desirable to unevenly compress the frit beads 12. Due to these and other problems, the use of the protrusions 28 may not be ideal for close tolerances between the base plate 20 and the screen 10.

Another approach is described in US Pat. No. 5,827,102, entitled "Low Temperature Method for Vacuuming and Sealing Field Emission Display," incorporated herein by reference. In this approach, a low melting temperature material such as indium is applied as the sealing material. The flow path for evacuation is provided by the incompatibility of the sealing material to the opposing surface.

The invention, as defined by the respective claims, relates to a method for evacuating and sealing flat panel displays of the type having a first and a second flat plate. Frit beads of substantially uniform thickness are initially formed along the periphery of one of the plates such that the interface face facing away from the plate is substantially flat. The plate and frit are then heated to a temperature that preglazes the frit beads. As a result, a plurality of surface irregularities are formed on the interface face of the frit bead. Another plate is then placed on the interface face of the frit bead so that one space is at least partially defined by the platen and frit bead. The environment around the plates is then evacuated. However, a gettering agent may be placed between the plates prior to positioning the plates together. Surface irregularities on the interface face of the frit bead provide a flow path between the frit bead and the other plates allowing gases to flow from the space between the plates. As a result, the space between the plates becomes equal to the vacuum of the environment around the plates. After the space between the plates is evacuated, the plates and frit beads are heated above the temperature at which the frit beads begin to flow at least partially. A force is then applied to the first and second plates to move the platens towards each other. This action applied with elevated temperatures at least partially compresses the frit beads. Finally, this frit bead is cooled to below at least partially flowing temperature. As a result, the space between the plates becomes a vacuum and a hermetic seal is formed by this frit bead. This vacuum is then maintained by the acting gettering agent, which forms the seal. Moreover, this result is achieved without adding any structural elements to this field emission display.

The frit beads preferably comprise glass or metal particles mixed with a binder, although other components may be used. The plate on which the frit beads are formed is preferably heated to a temperature in the range of 250 to 350 degrees Celsius for a period of about 1 hour to preglare this frit to form surface irregularities. Preglazing the frit also reduces organic solvents and binders such as water. In contrast, the plates are preferably heated to a temperature of 350 to 500 degrees Celsius for a period of approximately one hour to heat the plates to a temperature above the temperature at which the frit beads at least partially flow. These plates are preferably cooled in two stages. In the first step, the plates are preferably cooled to a temperature in the range of 350 to 425 degrees Celsius and for a time of about 1 to 2 hours to further act the non-evaporable gettering material. In the second stage, the plates are preferably cooled to ambient temperature over a period of at least 3 hours. Applying compressive forces on these plates consists of a variety of techniques, such as stacking plates and placing weights on them or applying compressive clamping forces on the plates. Prior to joining and sealing the two panels together, multiple spacers may be located between the plates. These spacers should be less than the distance between the heights of the frit beads so that the frit beads are compressed to the level of the spacers.

1 is a top plan view of a field emission display screen with frit beads formed thereon according to prior art manufacturing techniques.

2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a prior art spaced apart from the field emission display base plate and the screen so that the space between the plates from each of them can be evacuated in accordance with prior art manufacturing techniques.

4 is a top plan view of a first step of a preferred embodiment of the present invention for evacuating and sealing a flat panel display in which molten glass is formed on one of the display plates.

5A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5A-5A of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5B is a detailed cross-sectional view of the indicated portion of FIG. 5A. FIG.

6A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a vacuuming and heating step of a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention for evacuating and sealing a flat panel display.

FIG. 6B is a detailed cross-sectional view of the indicated portion of FIG. 6A. FIG.

7 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a clamping technique for applying a compressive force between plates in the steps illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the use of weight to apply a compressive force between the plates in the step illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation illustrating the use of a gettering material and spacers positioned between the plates prior to compression of the frit beads. FIG.

10 is a diagram showing the sequential order of time of the heating step used to make the field emission display according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

※ Explanation of symbols about main part of drawing ※

10: screen 12: bead

40: Screen 44: Bead

The first step of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 4, 5A and 5B. The field emission display screen 40, which is generally rectangular in shape, has an interior surface 42 on which beads 44 of suitable frit, such as glass or metal frit, are formed near the periphery thereof. The beads 44 thus form a partially enclosed space 41 surrounded by the beads 44. This first step of the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 4, 5A and 5B is equivalent to the first step of the prior art process illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

Next, the screen 40 is heated to a temperature to preglare the frit beads 44 to form preglazed beads 44a (FIGS. 5A and 5B). In one embodiment of the invention, the screen 40 and frit beads 44 are heated to a temperature between 125 and 250 ° C. for about one hour. This temperature is raised again gradually to a temperature of 250 to 350 ° C., as during the one hour base. Clearly, heating the frit bead 44 to this temperature may result in the formation of minute uneven portions 45 on the interface face 50 of the preglazed frit bead 44a as well illustrated in FIG. 5B. do. So far it has not been recognized to form these uneven parts and of course it has not been recognized so far that such uneven parts can be employed for any useful purpose.

After the screen 40 is heated to form surface irregularities on the preglazed frit bead 44a, the field emission display base plate 56 is frit bead 44a as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Is located on the interface face 50 of the. As best illustrated in FIG. 6B, the flow path F is formed by the gap between the base plate 56 and the uneven portion 45 on the interface face 50. Plates 40, 56 are then located in chamber 62 of a commercial vacuum oven 60 as illustrated in FIG. 6. As is typical for such an oven 60, the chamber 62 is capable of both heating and vacuuming. This chamber 62 is first evacuated to a suitable vacuum such as about 10 ⁻⁷ torr (≒ 133.3 × 10 ⁻⁷ Pa) over two hours. The vacuum in the chamber 62 vacuums the space 41 (FIG. 4) between the screen 40 and the base plate 56 via the flow path F (FIG. 6B). After the chamber 62 reaches the desired vacuum, the chamber 62 is heated to a temperature sufficient for the preglazed frit bead 44a to flow at least partially. This heating also acts on any gettering agent, such as a SAES non-evaporable gettering agent (not shown) that is placed in the space between the screen 40 and the base plate 56. In one embodiment, the chamber 62 is heated to a temperature in the range of 350-600 ° C. and maintained there for about one hour. During this period, the flow path F is closed and the screen (by means of suitable means for compressing the preglazed frit bead 44a with a compressive force such that the bead 44a adheres to both the screen 40 and the base plate 56). 40 and on the base plate 56. The compressive force is applied by a conventional clamp 70 as shown in FIG. 7, or by placing the weight 72 on one of the plates 40, 56 as shown in FIG. 8, or by other means. do. If a weight is used as shown in FIG. 8, the size of its weight 72 is preferably selected such that the weight 72 compresses the preglazed frit bead 44a to a predetermined height. Similarly, if clamp 70 is used, the magnitude of the compressive force of clamp 70 is preferably selected such that clamp 70 compresses the preglazed frit bead 44a to a predetermined height.

Although the compressive force can be adjusted to compress the preglazed frit bead 44a to a particular level, the final compressed height of the frit bead 44a (and therefore between the screen 40 and the base plate 56). Spacing) is preferably adjusted by placing multiple spacers 80 on the screen 40 before being covered by the base plate 56 (FIG. 9). The spacers 80 are shown in FIG. 9 after they are covered by the base plate 56 and before the preglazed frit beads 44A are compressed. The height of this spacer 80 should be less than the uncompressed height of the preglazed frit bead 44a so that the bead 44A can be sufficiently compressed. In general, the gettering material, preferably in the form of getterfoil 82, may also be placed on screen 40 before being covered by base plate 56. The getter foil 82 is shown adjacent to the spacer 82 but may be placed in a different position between the plates 40, 56.

After the plates 40, 56 are heated as shown in FIG. 6, they are gradually cooled to an intermediate temperature, preferably over about 1 hour. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this intermediate temperature is in the range of 350 to 425 ° C., which is preferably maintained at this temperature for about 1 to 2 hours. During this time, the compressed frit beads 44a are gradually crystallized and cured, and more securely adhered to the screen 40 and the base plate 56. In addition, the ST-122 gettering material 82 added to the space between the plates 40 and 56 is further acted during this time.

Finally, the plates 40, 56 are cooled to ambient temperature. This cooling is preferably done very gradually, for example over at least 3 hours. At the end of this cooling period, the pressure around the plates 40, 56 can be increased to atmospheric pressure. Alternatively, the pressure around the plates 40, 56 may alternatively be increased to atmospheric pressure before the end of this cooling period if the preglazed frit beads 44a have been cooled sufficiently to withstand the pressure.

The timing of the various steps of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is summarized in the diagram 90 shown in FIG. During this period 92, the temperature between the screen 40 and the base plate 56 is stabilized at any value within the range of 0 to 125 ° C. for a period of about 1 to 2 hours. The screen 40 and base plate 56 are preferably between atmospheric pressure (ATM) and pressure between 10 ⁻⁴ torr (≒ 133.3 × 10 ⁻⁴ Pa). During this period 92, the temperature in the plates 40, 56 becomes uniform over these plates 40, 56.

During the period 94, the screen 40, the frit bead 44 formed on the screen 40, and the base plate 56 are 10-5 to 10-2 torr (rr133.3 × 10 ^-5). To a temperature in the range of 125 to 250 ° C. for a period 96 of about 1 to 2 hours at a pressure between ˜133.3 × 10 ⁻² Pa). As mentioned above, during the period 96 all residual moisture is evaporated from the plates 40 and 56 and organics are removed from the elements.

Next, the plate 40 and frit beads 44 are heated to a temperature of 250 to 350 ° C. for one period 98. The heating period 98 preferably has a duration of about 1 hour. This temperature is preferably maintained at 250 to 350 ° C. at a pressure between 10 ⁻⁵ ATM and 10 ⁻⁷ torr for one period 100 of about 1 to 2 hours. The gettering material is acted during this period. In addition, near the end of the period, the space between the plates 40, 56 is evacuated through the surface irregularities on the interface face 50 of the frit bead 44.

The plates 40, 56 and the preglazed frit beads 44a are heated to a temperature in the range of 350-500 ° C. for a period of about one hour 102. The plates 40, 56 are maintained at the temperature at a pressure between 10 ⁻⁵ and 10 ⁻² torr (≒ 133.3 × 10 ⁻⁵ to 133.3 × 10 ⁻² Pa) for a period of about 104 hours 104. . As described above, during the period 104 the preglazed frit beads 44a flow and compress.

The cooling process described above preferably takes place in two stages. During the first step, the plates 40, 56 are cooled over a period 106 of about 1 hour to an intermediate temperature in the range of 350 to 425 ° C. This temperature is maintained at this value for a period 108 of about 1 to 2 hours. Finally, during the second step, the plates are cooled to ambient temperature for a period of time 110 with a duration of 2-3 hours.

It is to be understood that the foregoing temperature and process times are for illustration only as other temperatures and process times may be used as desired under certain circumstances without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Other variations of this preferred embodiment may also be used. For example, the frit bead 44 may be initially applied to the screen 56 instead of the base plate 40. In addition, as described above, the method may be used to produce flat panel displays that are not field emission displays. Therefore, while the foregoing detailed description has been described with respect to specific examples, those skilled in the art will understand that many other structures or techniques may be used to accomplish the purposes of the disclosed procedures. Accordingly, it is to be understood that various modifications of the embodiments described above may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims (40)

Providing the first and second editions, Heating the frit to form a plurality of surface irregularities; Positioning the second plate on the frit to at least partially define a space; Evacuating the space using a flow path provided by the surface irregularities; And applying a force to the first and second plates to at least partially compress the frit while heating the plates to a temperature above the temperature at which the frit at least partially flows. The method of claim 1, And the frit comprises glass particles mixed with a binder. The method of claim 1, Applying and heating the force to the first and second plates comprises placing a weight on one of the plates. The method of claim 3, wherein Positioning the weight over one of the plates includes placing a weight having a size that compresses the frit to a predetermined level on the plate. The method of claim 1, Applying the acting forces towards each other on the first and second plates comprises applying compressive clamping force on the first and second plates in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the plates. Way. The method of claim 5, Applying compressive clamping force to the first and second plates comprises applying compressive clamping force to the first and second plates having a size compressing the frit to a predetermined level; and Sealing method. The method of claim 1, Wherein said flat panel display comprises a field emission display, said first plate comprises a field emission display screen and said second plate comprises a field emission display base plate. The method of claim 1, Heating the first plate to a temperature forming a plurality of surface irregularities comprises heating the first plate to a temperature in the range of 250 to 350 ° C. The method of claim 8, Heating the first plate to a temperature in the range of 250 to 350 ° C. comprises heating the first plate to a temperature in the range of 250 to 350 ° C. for a period of about 1 hour. . The method of claim 8, The step of heating the first plate to a temperature in the range of 250 to 350 ° C. comprises heating the first plate at a pressure between 10 ⁻⁵ ATM and 10 ⁻² torr (1.01325 Pa to 133.3 × 10 ⁻² Pa). Display vacuuming and sealing method comprising the step of heating to a temperature in the range of ℃. The method of claim 1, Heating the plates to a temperature above a temperature at which the frit at least partially flows comprises heating the plates to a temperature in the range of 350 to 500 ° C. The method of claim 11, Heating the plates to a temperature in the range of 350-500 ° C. comprises heating the plates to a temperature in the range of 350-500 ° C. for about 1 hour. The method of claim 11, Heating the plates to a temperature in the range of 350 to 500 ° C. ranges from 350 to 500 ° C. at a pressure between 10 ⁻⁷ ATM and 10 ⁻⁵ torr (1.01325 × 10 ⁻² Pa to 133.3 × 10 ⁻⁵ Pa). And heating to a temperature within the display. The method of claim 1, Evacuating the environment around the plate comprises reducing the pressure in the environment around the plates to 10 ⁻⁷ torr (133.3 × 10 ⁻⁷ Pa). The method of claim 1, Evacuating the environment around the plate includes reducing the pressure in the environment around the plates over a period of about 2 hours, thereby limiting the pressure difference across the plates to a relatively small value. Way. The method of claim 1, And positioning a getter agent between the first plate and the second plate prior to placing the second plate on the interface face of the frit. The method of claim 1, Positioning a plurality of spacers between the first plate and the second plate prior to performing the step of placing the second plate on the frit, the spacers being configured to allow the frit to be moved. During the step of heating to a temperature above the at least partially flowing temperature, the frit is compressed to the level of the spacer, between the inner surface of the first plate and the interface surface of the frit bead to apply an action force to the first and second plates. Display vacuumization and sealing method having a separation height less than a distance of. A method of evacuating and sealing a flat panel display in the form having a first and a second planar plate applied to view an image through one of the plates, Applying beads of frit having a substantially uniform thickness along the periphery of the first plate such that the interface face facing away from the first plate is substantially flat; Heating the first plate to a temperature in the range of 250 to 350 ° C. for a period of about 1 hour to form a plurality of surface irregularities on the interface face of the frit; Positioning the second plate on an interface face of the frit to space the frit away from the first and second plate; Evacuating the environment around the plates, thereby evacuating the space between the plates through a gap formed by surface irregularities on the interface face of the frit; Forces against each other into the first and second plates during at least a portion of the period of one hour to at least partially compress the frit while heating the plates to a temperature in the range 350 to 500 ° C. for a period of about one hour. Applying step, Cooling the first and second plates to ambient temperature over a period of at least 4 hours. The method of claim 18, Wherein said frit comprises glass particles mixed with a binder. The method of claim 18, And applying the force to each other between the first and second plates comprises placing a weight on at least one of the plates. The method of claim 20, Positioning the weight on at least one of the plates comprises placing a weight on the plate having a size that causes the frit to compress to a predetermined level. The method of claim 18, Applying the mutually facing forces to the first and second plates comprises applying compressive clamping forces to the first and second plates in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the plates. And sealing method. The method of claim 22, Applying compressive clamping forces to the first and second plates includes placing compressible clamping forces on the first and second plates having a size that causes the frit to compress to a predetermined level. Painting and sealing method. The method of claim 18, Wherein said flat panel display is a field emission display, said first planar plate comprising a field emission display screen and said second planar plate comprising a field emission display base plate. The method of claim 18, Evacuating the environment around the plates comprises reducing the pressure in the environment around the plates to 10 ⁻⁷ torr (133.3 × 10 ⁻⁷ Pa). The method of claim 18, Evacuating the environment around the plates includes reducing the pressure in the environment around the plates over a period of about two hours to limit the pressure difference across the plates to a relatively small value. Way. The method of claim 18, And placing a getter agent between the first and second plates prior to placing the second plate on the interface face of the frit. The method of claim 18, Positioning a plurality of spacers between the first and second plates prior to performing the step of positioning the second plate on the interface face of the frit, the spacers comprising at least one of the plates; During the step of heating to a temperature above the partially flowing temperature, the frit is compressed to the level of the spacer, between the inner surface of the first plate and the interface surface of the frit bead to apply an action force to the first and second plates. Flat panel display evacuation and sealing method with a separation height less than a distance. The method of claim 18, The step of heating the first plate to a temperature in the range of 250 to 350 ° C. comprises heating the first plate at a pressure between 10 ⁻⁵ ATM and 10 ⁻² torr (1.01325 Pa to 133.3 × 10 ⁻² Pa). Flat panel display vacuuming and sealing method comprising heating to a temperature in the range of ℃. The method of claim 18, Heating the plates to a temperature in the range of 350 to 500 ° C. may range from 350 to 500 ° C. at a pressure between 10 ⁻⁷ ATM and 10 ⁻⁵ torr (1.01325 × 10 ⁻² Pa to 133.3 × 10 ⁻⁵ Pa). Flat panel display vacuuming and sealing method comprising the step of heating to a temperature within. A sealable panel for a flat panel display, Plate, A bead consisting of a frit forming a closed loop on the surface of the plate to define a space surrounded by the frit, the frit having an interface face facing away from the plate, the frit comprising a plurality of surface irregularities Panel available. The method of claim 31, wherein And the frit bead comprises glass particles mixed with a binder. The method of claim 31, wherein And the plate comprises a field emission display screen. The method of claim 31, wherein The sealable panel further comprising a getter agent in a space surrounded by the frit. The method of claim 31, wherein And a plurality of spacers on a surface of the plate comprising the frit beads. A first flat panel display plate adapted to be positioned parallel and adjacent to the second flat panel display plate in a spaced apart relationship to form a sealed cavity therebetween, the first flat panel display plate comprising: said frit comprising a planar, generally rectangular sheet having frit beads of approximately uniform thickness extending around its periphery near the edge of the sheet and having a substantially flat interface face facing away from the first plate. The bead is nearly flat and the interface face has a plurality of surface irregularities formed therein so that the interface face is evacuated through the surface irregularities prior to sealing the interface face to the second flat panel display plate. A flat panel adapted to be positioned relative to the second flat panel display plate Display plate. The method of claim 36, Wherein said frit comprises glass particles mixed with a binder. The method of claim 36, And the flat panel display comprises a field emission display and the first flat panel display plate comprises a field emission display screen. The method of claim 36, And a getter agent positioned on said sheet. The method of claim 36, And a plurality of spacers positioned on a surface of the sheet surrounded by the frit, the spacers having a separation height less than the distance between the inner surface of the sheet and the interface surface of the frit.