A linear array of gated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is proposed for improving the array electron emission properties by controlling the electric field conversion factor and its uniformity. The CNT emission current has been computed according to a previously developed model that takes into account the low dimensionality of the CNT electronic system. The CNT field conversion factor (for single CNT and linear array gated CNTs) has been numerically derived using the OPERA3D/TOSCA software and then expressed analytically. For better performance, controlling the parallelism of the CNTs in the array is not a strong requirement, but controlling their height is. The position of the CNT array emission current optimum depends on the value of parameters chosen, but generally it is obtained for array packing density ratio a/h(n) (array pitch/ CNT height) taking value in the range of 0.5-1. (c) 2008 American Vacuum Society.