Abstract Flat Electron Emission Lamp , FEEL , is a uniform light source with non-polluting. FEEL consists three part : FTO glass as cathode; a phosphor coated FTO glass as anode and spacer. FEEL emitted photon by electrons which can be sourced from gas ionized free electron and the secondary electrons from the bombardment of ionized gases to the cathode material excited phosphor powder. However, ions impacted the cathode continuously by electric field force, lead to the cathode material will be destroyed in the process of light-emitting. In this research, we adapted magnesium oxide (MgO) as protection layer on fluorine-doped tin-oxide (FTO) transparent contact glass as cathode structure. Using of magnesium oxide’s property : large secondary electron emission coefficient and high protection ability of ion-bombardment to improve the lifetime and efficiency of the Flat Electron Emission Lamp.