A method for fabricating a surface-conduction electron emitter includes the steps of: (a) providing a substrate; (b) disposing two lower layers on the surface of the substrate, the two lower layers are parallel and apart from each other; (c) disposing a plurality of carbon nanotube elements on the lower layers; (d) disposing two upper layers on the two lower layers, and thereby, sandwiching the carbon nanotube elements therebetween; and (e) forming a micro-fissure between the carbon nanotube elements.