A process for producing a tape-like material uniformly containing highly pure single-walled or multi-walled carbon nanotubes and a tape-like material produced thereby; a high-performance field emission electrode including the tape-like material; and a process for producing the field emission electrode. The carbon nanotubes are synthesized by arc discharge, wherein an inert gas or inert gas-containing mixed gas is jetted onto a cathode having a carbon material from the inside of a hollow electrode (11) used as an anode, and simultaneously an arc is generated to form a path of arc discharge along a stream of the gas. At the same time, by relative movement of the electrodes, the cathode spot of the arc is moved on the cathode, and the synthesized carbon nanotubes are formed into a tape.