The Mo-tip field-emitter array (FEA) was applied to the electron gun of the cathode-ray tube (CRT). In order to replace the conventional thermionic cathode with a cold cathode, the Mo-tip FEA was newly designed according to the specification of the CRT electron gun. The electron-emission properties and display performances of the electron gun with a Mo-tip FEA cathode were characterized and discussed. The fabricated electron gun with a Mo-tip FEA cathode showed better performance in terms of emission current and switch-on time. Finally, the potential applicability was guaranteed by means of operating the 19 in. color CRT using the fabricated electron gun with the Mo-tip FEA. (C) 2003 American Vacuum Society.