A field emission device comprises an emitter tip that is optionally formed from and integral with an emitter layer. The emitter tip has a base, an apex, and an exterior surface having a profile between the base and the apex. The profile has a continuous shape that extends from the base to the apex. The devices may be part of a flat panel display device that also includes a substrate, a cathode conductive layer disposed over the substrate, an array of emitter tips each formed from an emitter layer disposed over the substrate, a conductive gate structure disposed over the cathode conductive layer, an array of apertures formed through the conductive gate structure, and an anode panel for emitting light in response to electrons emitted from the array of emitter tips.