We have developed a linear horizontal wedge field emission cathode for field emission displays. The cathode consists of a horizontal wedge with a diameter of curvature similar to 10 nm. A self-aligned sloping gate is positioned at a distance of similar to 10 nm above the wedge. Computer simulation shows that the wedge cathode can operate at agate voltage of less than or equal to 15 V to allow the use of complementary metal-oxide semiconductor drivers to modulate the electron emission. Coplanar focusing electrodes are incorporated without additional processing steps to collimate the electron beam to a dimension of similar to 50 mu m onto a high voltage phosphor screen similar to 1 mm away. We have fabricated wedge cathodes operating at a gate voltage of similar to 60 V with a relatively uniform emission from an area of similar to 5 mmx5 mm. The wedge cathode was developed to be fabricated with mainstream large-area equipment for flat panel displays.