A cathode plate of a field emission display comprising a cathode substrate of the field emission display and a plurality of linear isolation barriers each having a length and a thickness and attached to a top surface of the cathode substrate. The plurality of linear isolation barriers are spaced at intervals such that electron emitter lines can be formed between respective ones of the plurality of linear isolation barriers. In one embodiment, the linear isolation barriers comprise ribs attached to the top surface of the cathode substrate. In some embodiments, the linear isolation barriers are adapted to contact gate wires of a gate frame of the field emission display positioned above the cathode substrate to dampen driving frequency vibrations in the gate wires.