Reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) is demonstrated as a viable field emission electron source for cathodoluminescent lamps. The high void volume and porous structure of RVC help create a large number of natural emission sites on the surface. Emission centers are formed by the sharp edges of the carbon struts, which result from simple machining of the macroscopic open-pore material. Additional surface treatment of the emitters in vacuum or in open, air helps to increase the extracted current and reduce the current fluctuations. Electron emission has been, evaluated in the 10 to 500 muA range, in 10(-6) to 10(-8) Torr vacuum ambient. Extended lifetime tests were carried out for over 5000 h in sealed glass prototype devices utilizing commercial cathodoluminescent phosphors. Brightness levels exceeding 10 000 cd/m(2) were achieved for diode and triode configurations. The low cost of manufacturing, along with chemical and mechanical robustness, make RVC a viable material for electron-beam vacuum device applications such as mercury-free cathodoluminescent light sources. (C) 2003 American Vacuum Society.