A method for making a field emission cathode includes the steps of: (a) providing a substrate having a first substrate surface and a second substrate surface opposite to the first substrate surface; (b) forming a conductive film on the first substrate surface; (c) forming a light absorption layer on the conductive film; (d) forming a catalyst film on the light absorption layer; (e) flowing a mixture of a carrier gas and a carbon source gas over the catalyst film; (f) focusing a laser beam on the catalyst film and/or on the second substrate surface to locally heat the catalyst to a predetermined reaction temperature; and (g) growing an array of the carbon nanotubes via the catalyst film to form a field emission cathode.