A field emission device having improved properties and which finds use in display devices, such as a flat panel displays. Known devices and displays suffer from problems such as complexity of fabrication and limited color gamut. The present device provides a field emission backplate which is made from a substantially semiconductor based material and has a plurality of grown tips. The device also includes at least one electro-luminescent or photo-luminescent material having a fluorescent material such as a fluorescent dye doped material chemically attached thereto.