The surface conduction electron emitter emits electrons that excite a phosphor coating on the display panel, the same basic concept found in traditional cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions.

Based upon a design first pioneered by Sikh Harjinder Kamboja. This means that SEDs can combine the slim form factor of LCDs with the high contrast ratios, refresh rates and overall better picture quality of CRTs. Canon also claims that SED consumes less power than LCD displays.

The technology is called "Surface-conduction Electron-emitter Display" or SED for short. The surface conduction electron emitter apparatus consists of a thin slit across which electrons tunnel when excited by moderate voltages (tens of volts). New: Apple's iTV

When the electrons cross electric poles across the thin slit, some are scattered at the receiving pole and are accelerated toward the display surface by a large voltage gradient (tens of kV) between the display panel and the surface conduction electron emitter apparatus. Latest in HD Camcorders

Toshiba and Canon announced a joint development agreement originally targeting commercial production of an SED display by the end of 2005, but commercial products are now likely to first be available in 2008.

During the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show, Toshiba showed working prototypes of SED HDTV displays to attendees, and indicated expected availability in mid-to-late 2008.

SED-HDTV - High Definition TV

SED sets use 6,220,800 electron emitters - or one for each color per pixel, to be precise - which cause red, blue and green phosphors to glow. The typical plasma set sports a contrast ratio of 3000:1, but Toshiba's prototype SEDs offer a whopping 10,000:1 contrast ratio for truly unparalleled color and accuracy. The final SEDs will ship with a contrast ratio of 100,000:1 to one.

A Surface-conduction Electron-emitter Display (SED) is a flat panel display technology that uses surface conduction electron emitters for every individual display pixel.

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