Abstract: A field emission element including a gate and an emitter and capable of penting any of the element oxide layer from being formed on a tip of the emitter to prevent a decrease in emission current, unstable operation and an increase in noise. The gate has a surface formed of a material of oxygen bonding strength higher than that of a material for at least a tip surface of the emitter, so that oxygen atoms and molecules containing oxygen entering the gate may be captured by adsorption on the gate to prevent formation of any oxide layer on the emitter. When a portion of the emitter other than the tip surface is formed of a material of oxygen bonding strength higher than that of the material for the tip surface, formation of any oxide layer on the tip surface of the emitter is minimized.