Aspects of the invention include electroluminescent devices and methods for making the same. In certain embodiments, the devices include a substrate, a hole-injection electrode layer, a dielectric layer, an electroluminescent layer, an electron-injection electrode layer, and a cavity. In certain embodiments, an electrode layer (e.g., the electron-injection or hole-injection electrode layer) is positioned above the cavity and is configured for directing light through the substrate. In certain embodiments, an electrode layer (e.g., the electron-injection or hole-injection electrode layer) is positioned above and spans across the cavity. The use of the produced device(s) in electroluminescent displays is also provided herein.