A type of flat panel display using phosphor coatings as the emissive medium, which works as a variation on the CRT idea. Instead of a single electron gun, a field emission display (FED) uses a large array of fine metal tips, one positioned behind each phosphor dot, to emit excitatory electrons through a process known as field emission. A similar technology to be commercialized in 2005 is the SED (surface-conduction electron-emitter) display.

Since it builds on a century of know-how honed on CRTs, FEDs hold promise. As of yet, however, there are no consumer production models available in the United States.