Encapsulation for organic devices

• US 20040051449A1
• Filed: 09/12/2002
• Published: 03/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pictiva Displays International Limited (f/k/a Dolya Holdco 5 Limited) (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Osram OPTO Semiconductors Sendirian Berhad (Ams-Osram AG)
• Inventors: Klausmann, Hagen, Tan, Hou Siong, Lew, Yuen Sin, Lim, Hooi Bin
• Granted Patent: US 7,193,364 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 313/512
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/841 Self-supporting sealing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/846 comprising getter material or desiccants
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/872 Containers
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/874 including getter material or desiccant

Abstract

A method of encapsulating devices including providing a getter layer in the penetration path of atmospheric elements. The getter layer serves as a barrier to potentially deleterious atmospheric components, such as moisture and gases, that penetrate the device. In one embodiment, the getter layer surrounds an active region where active component or components are formed.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a substrate having

an active region defined thereon, the active region comprising an active component,

a cap bonding region surrounding the active region, and

a getter region between the active region and the cap bonding region;

a cap bonded to the substrate in the cap bonding region to encapsulate the device; and

a getter ring located in an area corresponding the getter region.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the active component comprises at least one OLED cell to form an OLED device.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the active component comprises organic material.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises a flexible substrate.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the active component comprises at least one OLED cell to form an OLED device.

6. The device of claim 4 wherein the active component comprises organic material.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the getter ring comprises a getter material that absorbs moisture or atmospheric elements or a combination thereof.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the getter ring comprises a material selected from the group comprising alkaline earth metals and oxides, alloys or a combination thereof.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein the getter ring comprises barium.

10. The device of claim 7 wherein the getter ring comprises zeolite.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the getter ring is formed on the cap.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the cap forms a cavity between the substrate and an inner surface of the cap.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the getter ring comprises a height less than or equal to the height of the cavity.

14. The device of claim 12 wherein the getter ring comprises a height equal to the height of the cavity.

15. The device of claim 11 wherein the getter ring comprises a plurality of getter patches separated by channels.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein the channels corresponds to hinges of a shadow mask used for forming the getter ring.

17. The device of claim 15 wherein at least some of the getter patches comprise different shapes or sizes or a combination thereof.

18. The device of claim 11 further comprises a getter layer formed on an inner surface of the cap.

19. The device of claim 1 wherein the getter ring is formed on the getter region on the substrate.

20. The device of claim 19 further comprises a protective layer between the getter ring and the substrate in the getter region.

21. The device of claim 19 further comprises an insulating protective layer between the getter ring and the substrate in the getter region.

22. The device of claim 19 wherein the cap forms a cavity between the substrate and an inner surface of the cap.

23. The device of claim 22 wherein the getter ring comprises a height less than or equal to the height of the cavity.

24. The device of claim 19 wherein the getter ring comprises a plurality of getter patches separated by channels.

25. The device of claim 24 wherein the channels corresponds to hinges of a shadow mask used for forming the getter ring.

26. The device of claim 24 wherein at least some of the getter patches comprise different shapes or sizes or a combination thereof.

27. A method of fabricating a device comprising:

providing a substrate having

an active region defined thereon,

a cap bonding region surrounding the active region, and

a getter region between the active region and cap bonding region;

forming a getter ring in an area corresponding to the getter region; and

mounting a cap to the substrate in the cap bonding region to encapsulate the device.