methods of operating field emission displays are disclosed . in one embodiment , a method for operating a field emission display includes applying a voltage to an extraction grid with respect to an emitter in proximity to the extraction grid to extract electrons from the emitter , regulating a supply of electrons from the emitter in response to a control signal , and accelerating the electrons from the emitter towards a faceplate with an accelerating voltage that also reverse biases a semiconductor diode extending from a baseplate that includes the extraction grid and the emitter to the faceplate .