A field effect electron emitting apparatus is prepared by depositing a plurality of nano-wires 216 onto a substrate 200 having a cathode layer 214. The deposition occurs by suspending the nano-wires 216 in a plating solution, and plating the substrate with a metal layer 202, thereby entrapping the nano-wires. The nano-wires 216 are composed of an electrically-conductive magnetic material, and the deposition process is carried out in the presence of a magnetic field perpendicular to the substrate 200 so that the nano-wires 216 are aligned by the field.