Electron-emitting device, electron source using the same, image display apparatus, and information displaying and reproducing apparatus

An electron-emitting device comprising:

• a substrate;
• and
• first and second electroconductive films disposed on the substrate in opposition to each other to form a gap between ends of the first and second electroconductive films,
• wherein the end of the first electroconductive film has a protrusion protruding toward the second electroconductive film such that a minimum distance d1, which is defined as a distance between an end of the protrusion and the second electroconductive film and which is 10 nm or less, and a minimum distance d2, which is defined as a distance between the second electroconductive film and an edge portion of the first electroconductive film being away from the end of the protrusion by d1, meets a relation:
• d2/d1≧1.2, and
• wherein the second electroconductive film has prominent portions disposed to sandwich a nearest portion of the second electroconductive film which is nearest to the end of the protrusion in the first electroconductive film and protruding in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate so that in the second electroconductive film the prominent portions adjacent to the nearest portion are away from the surface of the substrate than the nearest portion.