A conductive focus waffle structure for focusing electrons emitted from a cathode portion of a flat panel display device, and a method for forming the conductive focus waffle structure. In one embodiment, the present invention applies a first layer of photo-imagable material above a cathode portion of a flat panel display device. This embodiment then removes portions of the layer of photo-imagable material such that openings are formed therein. A layer of conductive material is then applied over the cathode such that conductive material is disposed within the openings in the layer of photo-imagable material. A dielectric layer of material is also disposed between the cathode and the bottom surface of the conductive material. This embodiment of the present invention then removes the layer of photo-imagable material such that at least a portion of the conductive focus waffle structure is formed disposed above the cathode. In so doing, at least a first portion of a conductive focus waffle structure having a dielectric bottom portion is formed.