Field emission display. A type of screen that combines the phosphor-based color generation of a cathode ray tube with the thin profile of an LCD. Instead of a single electron gun sweeping across the screen, an FED places thousands of tiny cold-cathode electron emitters behind each individual pixel. This provides high contrast and fast response times, though manufacturing difficulties have kept it from mass commercial success.
The prototype FED monitor showed incredible black levels, but the vacuum sealing process was too expensive for production.
Related terms
Field emission display
A flat-panel screen technology utilizing microscopic electron emitters for each pixel.
Cathode ray tube
A vacuum tube containing one or more electron guns and a phosphorescent screen used to display images.
LCD
A flat-panel screen technology that uses liquid crystals to modulate light.
Cold cathode
A vacuum tube electrode that emits electrons without relying on a dedicated heating filament.