Flat panel display with magnetic field emitter

A flat-panel display device, comprising:

• a cathode electrode;
• an array of field emitters arranged on the cathode electrode, wherein each field emitter includes a ferromagnetic material;
• a substrate;
• an anode disposed on said substrate electrode spaced apart from the cathode electrode;
• a detector which detects the impact of electrons emitted from the array of field emitters and responds by generating photons of light;
• and
• a voltage source for producing an electric field in a region between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode.

A method of operating a flat-panel display device, comprising:

• forming an array of field emitter elements, wherein the emitter elements include a permanent magnet formed from a ferromagnetic material;
• arranging the array of field emitter elements between a cathode electrode and an anode electrode disposed on a substrate, wherein the array of emitter elements is electrically connected to the cathode electrode;
• and
• applying a potential between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode having a phosphor region thereon, thereby forming an electric field in a region between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode.