a high resolution field emission display includes a faceplate and a baseplate . the faceplate includes a transparent viewing layer , a transparent conductive layer formed on the transparent viewing layer and intersecting stripes of light - absorbing , opaque insulating material formed on the transparent conductive layer . the insulating material defines openings less than one hundred microns wide between the intersecting stripes . the faceplate also includes a plurality of localized regions of cathodoluminescent material , each formed in one of the openings . the cathodoluminescent material includes a metal oxide providing reduced resistivity in the cathodoluminescent material . significantly , the reduced resistivity of the cathodoluminescent material together with the focusing effect of the insulating material provide increased acuity in luminous images formed on the faceplate . the baseplate includes a substrate , an emitter formed on the substrate and a dielectric layer formed on the substrate and having an opening formed about the emitter . the baseplate also includes a conductive extraction grid formed on the dielectric layer and having an opening formed about the emitter .