Flat-type fluorescent display device

A fluorescent display device, comprising:

• a front transparent cover having an outer surface and an inner surface;
• a substrate having a substrate surface opposing said inner surface of said front transparent cover;
• a plurality of field emission elements for emitting electrons, said plurality of field emission elements disposed on said inner surface of said front transparent cover;
• a plurality of regions of phosphorescent material on said substrate, each of Said plurality of regions having an electron impingement surface facing the front transparent cover, said impingement surface for impingement by the electrons emitted by at least one of said plurality of field emission elements;
• wherein each of said plurality of said field emission elements is offset from each of said plurality of regions of phosphorescent material, relative to said substrate surface, such that each of said plurality of regions of phosphorescent material is visible when viewed from outside said outer surface;
• and
• whereby fluorescence propagating to said front transparent cover is generated by the impingement of the electrons on the electron impingement surface.