Device and method for producing a calcium-rich getter thin film

Abstract

An improved getter device and method for forming a calcium-rich getter thin film in an electronic vacuum device is disclosed. The getter device includes a powder of a Ca—Ba—Al ternary alloy composed of between 53% and 56.8% by weight of aluminum, from 36% to 41.7% by weight of calcium and from 1.5% to 11% by weight of barium. The method allows the formation of a calcium-rich getter thin film with a substantially reduced amount of released hydrogen in the vacuum device.

1 - 14 . (canceled)  
     
     
         15 . A method, comprising: 
 providing an alloy comprising calcium, barium, and aluminum within a cavity of a device;    at least partially evacuating the cavity of the device;    hermetically sealing the evacuated cavity of the device;    vaporizing at least some of the alloy within the evacuated cavity of the device; and    depositing a calcium getter film on an inner surface of the evacuated cavity, wherein said calcium getter film includes at least some of the calcium from the vaporized alloy.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the alloy includes between about 50% and 60% by weight of aluminum, between about 30% and 45% by weight of calcium and between about 1.5% and 15% by weight of barium.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the alloy includes between about 53% and 56.8% by weight of aluminum, between about 36% and 41.7% by weight of calcium and between about 1.5% and 11% by weight of barium.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the alloy includes between about 2.5% and 5% by weight of barium.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said vaporizing includes heating to at least an evaporating temperature of calcium.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said vaporizing includes heating to at least an evaporating temperature of barium.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the alloy includes Ca—Ba—Al powder having a granulometry between about 50 and 250 μm.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising mixing the alloy with powdered nickel or titanium component, at a weight ratio of the component to alloy of between about 3:1 and 1:3, wherein the alloy is powdered.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising admixing the alloy with up to about 5% by weight of powdered metal nitride component selected from the group consisting of iron nitride, germanium nitride, and a combination of iron nitride and germanium nitride.  
     
     
         24 . A device, comprising: 
 a cathode ray tube with inner walls that define a vacuum cavity, wherein, when operationally configured, the vacuum cavity is at least partially evacuated; and    a getter film comprising calcium and barium, supported by the inner walls, within the vacuum cavity.    
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein said getter film includes between about 30% and 97% by weight of calcium and between about 1.5% and 30% by weight of barium.  
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein said getter film includes between about 36% and 85% by weight of calcium and between 1.5% and 15% by weight of barium.  
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein said getter film adheres to the inner walls.  
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein said getter film is coupled to the inner walls.  
     
     
         29 . A composition of matter for use as a getter source, comprising: 
 between about 50% and 60% by weight of aluminum;    between about 30% and 45% by weight of calcium; and    between about 1.5% and 15% by weight of barium.    
     
     
         30 . The composition of matter of  claim 29 , wherein said composition of matter is an ingot.  
     
     
         31 . The composition of matter of  claim 29 , wherein said composition of matter is a powder.  
     
     
         32 . The composition of matter of  claim 29 , further comprising nickel, titanium, or a combination of nickel and titanium.  
     
     
         33 . The composition of matter of  claim 29 , wherein said composition of matter is a powder admixed with powders of nickel or titanium.  
     
     
         34 . The composition of matter of  claim 29 , further comprising iron nitride or germanium nitride, or a combination of iron nitride and germanium nitride.