EL disply device

• US 20010004190A1
• Filed: 12/11/2000
• Published: 06/21/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Nishi, Takeshi, Ishimaru, Noriko
• Granted Patent: US 6,593,691 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 313/506
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 2102/3026 Top emission
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/814 combined with auxiliary electrodes, e.g. ITO layer combined with metal lines
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/86 Arrangements for improving contrast, e.g. preventing reflection of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/865 comprising light absorbing layers, e.g. light-blocking layers
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/87 Arrangements for heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/12 Active-matrix OLED [AMOLED] displays
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/123 Connection of the pixel electrodes to the thin film transistors [TFT]

Abstract

An EL display device capable of reducing an average film resistance of an anode in an EL device as well as displaying an image with high definition, and electrical equipment including such an EL display device are provided. A light-shielding metal film 109 is provided on an anode 108 so as to conceal gaps between the pixels. Thus, an average film resistance of the anode 108 in the EL device is reduced. Furthermore, light leakage from the gaps between the pixels can be prevented, resulting in an image display with high definition.

Claims

1. An EL display device comprising:

an active-matrix substrate over which pixels are arranged, each of said pixels having a pixel electrode electrically connected to a thin-film transistor; and

an EL element comprising said pixel electrode as a cathode, an EL layer, and an anode,

wherein a metal film is provided on said anode so as to conceal edges of said pixels and gaps between said pixels.

2. An EL display device according to

claim 1

, wherein a film resistance of said metal film is lower than a film resistance of said anode.

3. An EL display device according to

claim 1

, wherein said metal film functions as a light-shielding film.

4. An EL display device according to

claim 1

, wherein said metal film has a layered structure.

5. An EL display device according to

claim 1

, wherein raised portions are provided on a surface of said cathode of said EL element.

6. An EL display device according to

claim 1

, wherein an element of said metal film is one selected from the group consisting of Ti, Al, Ta, W, Cr, Cu, and Ag.

7. An EL display device according to

claim 1

, wherein said anode comprises indium tin oxide.

8. An EL display device according to

claim 1

, wherein said cathode comprises aluminum.

9. An EL display device according to

claim 1

, wherein said EL display device is one selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a head-mount display, a personal computer, a car navigation system, a mobile telephone, and a car audio equipment.

10. An EL display device comprising:

an active-matrix substrate over which pixels are arranged, each of said pixels having a pixel electrode electrically connected to a thin-film transistor; and

an EL element comprising said pixel electrode as a cathode, an EL layer, and an anode,

wherein a metal film is provided between said anode and a counter substrate so as to conceal edges of said pixels and gaps between said pixels.

11. An EL display device according to

claim 10

, wherein a film resistance of said metal film is lower than a film resistance of said anode.

12. An EL display device according to

claim 10

, wherein said metal film functions as a light-shielding film.

13. An EL display device according to

claim 10

, wherein said metal film has a layered structure.

14. An EL display device according to

claim 10

, wherein raised portions are provided on a surface of said cathode of said EL element.

15. An EL display device according to

claim 10

, wherein an element of said metal film is one selected from the group consisting of Ti, Al, Ta, W, Cr, Cu, and Ag.

16. An EL display device according to

claim 10

, wherein said anode comprises indium tin oxide.

17. An EL display device according to

claim 10

, wherein said cathode comprises aluminum.

18. An EL display device according to

claim 10

, wherein said EL display device is one selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a head-mount display, a personal computer, a car navigation system, a mobile telephone, and a car audio equipment.

19. An EL display device comprising:

an active-matrix substrate over which pixels are arranged, each of said pixels having a pixel electrode electrically connected to a thin-film transistor; and

an EL element comprising said pixel electrode as a cathode, an EL layer, and an anode,

wherein a metal film is provided on a portion of said anode so as to conceal gaps between said pixel electrodes.

20. An EL display device according to

claim 19

, wherein a film resistance of said metal film is lower than a film resistance of said anode.

21. An EL display device according to

claim 19

, wherein said metal film functions as a light-shielding film.

22. An EL display device according to

claim 19

, wherein said metal film has a layered structure.

23. An EL display device according to

claim 19

, wherein raised portions are provided on a surface of said cathode of said EL element.

24. An EL display device according to

claim 19

, wherein an element of said metal film is one selected from the group consisting of Ti, Al, Ta, W, Cr, Cu, and Ag.

25. An EL display device according to

claim 19

, wherein said anode comprises indium tin oxide.

26. An EL display device according to

claim 19

, wherein said cathode comprises aluminum.

27. An EL display device according to

claim 19

, wherein said EL display device is one selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a head-mount display, a personal computer, a car navigation system, a mobile telephone, and a car audio equipment.

28. An EL display device comprising:

an active-matrix substrate over which pixels are arranged, each of said pixels having a pixel electrode electrically connected to a thin-film transistor; and

an EL element comprising said pixel electrode as a cathode, an EL layer, and an anode,

wherein a metal film is provided between a portion of said anode and a counter substrate so as to conceal gaps between said pixel electrodes.

29. An EL display device according to

claim 28

, wherein a film resistance of said metal film is lower than a film resistance of said anode.

30. An EL display device according to

claim 28

, wherein said metal film functions as a light-shielding film.

31. An EL display device according to

claim 28

, wherein said metal film has a layered structure.

32. An EL display device according to

claim 28

, wherein raised portions are provided on a surface of said cathode of said EL element.

33. An EL display device according to

claim 28

, wherein an element of said metal film is one selected from the group consisting of Ti, Al, Ta, W, Cr, Cu, and Ag.

34. An EL display device according to

claim 28

, wherein said anode comprises indium tin oxide.

35. An EL display device according to

claim 28

, wherein said cathode comprises aluminum.

36. An EL display device according to

claim 28

, wherein said EL display device is one selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a head-mount display, a personal computer, a car navigation system, a mobile telephone, and a car audio equipment.