A flat panel display comprises: a cathode; an anode having a plurality of associated pixels; and, a control frame. The display has nanotubes disposed thereon; such that when a predetermined voltage is applied to the frame the nanotubes emit electrons that strike the pixels thus increasing the brightness of a displayed image. The display also includes a plurality of TFT circuits, each being associated with a corresponding one of the pixels. Increasing the predetermined voltage, after the threshold has been reached, will increase the quantity of electrons emitted by the nanotubes and increase the brightness of the image displayed. This voltage applied to the frame and associated nanotubes may be a pulsed voltage.