A negative hole is formed by etching a dielectric layer that includes at
least a lower dielectric sublayer and an upper dielectric sublayer. The
lower dielectric sublayer and the upper dielectric sublayer have
substantially the same permittivity, and the lower dielectric sublayer
may have a higher etching rate lower than the upper dielectric sublayer.
The negative hole formed in the upper and lower dielectric sublayers has
an etched profile with a protruded portion protruding from at least the
boundary between the lower dielectric sublayer and the upper dielectric
sublayer. With various embodiments of the disclosed invention, resistance
between the cathode and the gate may be secured to prevent arc generation
and signal distortion.