To provide an electron emission element which can achieve both an increase of an electron emission current and focusing of a beam diameter simultaneously.

A first low potential side electrode 4 is arranged on a first side surface 21 of a first insulation layer 2, a first high potential side electrode 5 is arranged on a second side surface 22, and a second low potential side electrode 6 is arranged on the first insulation layer 2 through a second insulation layer 3. In addition, a second high potential side electrode 8 is arranged on the low potential side electrode 6 through a third insulation layer 7. Electrons are emitted from a gap 9 between the first low potential side electrode 4 and the second high potential side electrode 8, and a gap 10 between the first high potential side electrode 5 and the second low potential side electrode 6, respectively.