A carbon nanotube has a carbon network film of polycrystalline structure
divided into crystal regions along the axis of the tube, and the length
along the tube axis of each crystal region preferably ranges from 3 to 6
nm. An electron source includes a carbon nanotube having a cylindrical
shape and the end of which on the substrate side is closed and disposed
in a fine hole. The end on the substrate side of the tube is firmly
adhered to the substrate. The carbon nanotube is produced by a method in
which carbon is deposited under the condition that no metal catalyst is
present in the fine hole and produced by a method in which after the
carbon deposition the end of the carbon deposition film is modified by
etching the carbon deposition film using a plasma. Therefore, an electron
source excellent in the evenness of field emission characteristics in a
field emission region (pixel) in the device plane and driven with low
voltage can be provided, and a display operated with ultralow power
consumption exhibiting ultrahigh luminance can be provided.