Organic electroluminescence device and manufacturing method therefor

• US 20020043932A1
• Filed: 08/20/2001
• Published: 04/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JOLED Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Kawashima, Toshitaka
• Granted Patent: US 6,621,213 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 313/512
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/805 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/8423 Metallic sealing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/844 Encapsulations
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/856 comprising reflective means
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/173 comprising banks or shadow masks
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/179 Interconnections, e.g. wiring lines or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/805 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/8721 Metallic sealing arrangements

Abstract

An organic electroluminescence device in which device sealing is facilitated and in which a display employing the device as a light emitting device may be increased in size. The organic electroluminescence device includes a transparent substrate, an electrode film, a transparent electrode film, a first insulating film having an opening, an organic electroluminescence light emitting film, a metal electrode film and a second insulating film. The first and second insulating films exhibit gas barrier characteristics. The opening is tapered so that its opening degree is increased in a direction away from the transparent electrode film side. The transparent electrode film is electrically connected via electrode film to a first electrode formed on the second insulating film as it is passed through the first and second insulating films to be exposed on the second insulating film. The metal electrode film is electrically connected to a second electrode passed through the second insulating film to be exposed on the second insulating film.

Claims

1. An organic electroluminescence device comprising:

a transparent substrate;

an electrode film formed on said transparent substrate;

a transparent electrode film formed on said electrode film;

a first insulating film formed on said transparent electrode film and having an opening over said transparent electrode film;

an organic electroluminescence light emitting film formed over a portion of said transparent electrode film exposed from said opening in said first insulating film, said organic electroluminescence light emitting film being larger in size than said opening and being formed over said first insulating film;

a metal electrode film formed on said organic electroluminescence light emitting film; and

a second insulating film formed on said metal electrode film so as to be larger in size than both said organic electroluminescence light emitting film and said metal electrode film;

said first and second insulating films exhibiting gas barrier characteristics;

said opening being tapered so that its opening degree is increased in a direction away from the transparent electrode film side;

said transparent electrode film being electrically connected through said electrode film to a first electrode passed through said first and second insulating films formed so as to be exposed on said second insulating film, said metal electrode film being electrically connected to a second electrode passed through said second insulating film formed so as to be exposed on said second insulating film.

2. The organic electroluminescence device according to claim 1 wherein a gas barrier film is formed on at least one surface of said transparent substrate.

3. The organic electroluminescence device according to claim 2 wherein said gas barrier film has anti-reflection characteristics.

4. The organic electroluminescence device according to claim 1 wherein said electrode film is in a comb shape or in a ladder shape.

5. The organic electroluminescence device according to claim 1 wherein said organic electroluminescence light emitting film is a multi-layered organic layer including a positive hole doped layer, a positive hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, an electron transport layer and an electron doped layer.

6. The organic electroluminescence device according to claim 1 wherein said metal electrode film exhibits gas barrier characteristics.

7. A method for the manufacturing of an organic electroluminescence device comprising.

an electrode film forming step of forming an electrode film on a transparent substrate;

a transparent electrode film forming step of forming a transparent electrode film on said electrode film;

a first insulating film forming step of forming a first insulating film exhibiting gas barrier characteristics on said transparent electrode film;

an opening forming step of forming an opening in said first insulating film for exposing a portion of said transparent electrode film;

a step of forming an organic electroluminescence light emitting film on the portion of the transparent electrode film exposed from said opening in said first insulating film so that said organic electroluminescence light emitting film will be extended over said first insulating film to a size larger than that of said opening;

a metal electrode film forming step of forming a metal electrode film on said organic electroluminescence light emitting film;

a second insulating film forming step of forming a second insulating film exhibiting gas barrier characteristics so that said second insulating film will be extended over said metal electrode film to a size larger than that of both said organic electroluminescence light emitting film and said metal electrode film;

a first electrode forming step of forming a first electrode so that said first electrode is passed through said first and second insulating films so as to be exposed on said second insulating film and electrically connecting said first electrode to the transparent electrode film through said electrode film;

a second electrode forming step of forming a second electrode so that said second electrode is passed through said second insulating film so as to be exposed on said second insulating film and electrically connecting said second electrode to said metal electrode film; and

a driving circuit connecting step of connecting a driving circuit to said first electrode and/or to said second electrode and mounting said driving circuit on an electrode electrically connected to said driving circuit;

wherein

in said opening forming step, said opening is formed so that its opening degree is larger in a direction away from the said transparent electrode film side.

8. The method for the manufacturing of an organic electroluminescence device according to claim 7 wherein a gas barrier film is formed on at least one surface of said transparent substrate.

9. The method for the manufacturing of an organic electroluminescence device according to claim 8 wherein said gas barrier film has anti-reflection characteristics.

10. The method for the manufacturing of an organic electroluminescence device according to claim 7 wherein said electrode film is formed in a comb shape or in a ladder shape.

11. The method for the manufacturing of an organic electroluminescence device according to claim 7 wherein said organic electroluminescence light emitting film is a multi-layered organic layer including a positive hole doped layer, a positive hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, an electron transport layer and an electron doped layer.

12. The method for the manufacturing of an organic electroluminescence device according to claim 7 wherein said metal electrode film exhibits gas barrier