Abstract: A method for manufacturing arrays of field emission tips, suitable for use in field emission displays (FEDs), begins by depositing a conductive cathode layer over a substrate and then patterning the conductive cathode layer to define a set of cathode structures on which the array of tips are to be formed. A layer of a insulator material is deposited and then a layer of lift-off material is deposited. The lift-off material is capable of being selectively etched with respect to the insulator layer. The insulator material layer and lift-off material layer are patterned to define a set of apertures in which field emission tips are to be formed. Next, tip material is deposited using an unbiased high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDPCVD) process to form sharp field emission tips in the apertures. The HDPCVD process also forms a sacrificial layer of islands of tip material on top of the patterned layer of lift-off material.