A device and method for forming a device including electron emitters. The method includes exposing a first face of a sheet of bundled fiber segments to a reactive liquid to allow first ends of the fiber segments to react with the reactive liquid to remove material therefrom. A coating material is deposited on the first face which has the material removed. The method also includes exposing a second face of the sheet of bundled fiber segments to a reactive liquid to allow second ends of the fiber segments to react with the reactive liquid to remove material therefrom to expose the coating material.