Organic electroluminescent device with full color characteristics

• US 6,137,221 A
• Filed: 07/08/1998
• Issued: 10/24/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: InnoLux Corporation
• Original Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Roitman, Daniel B., Sheats, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Nimeshkumar D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hopper, Todd Reed
• Application Number:
  US09/111,474
• Time in Patent Office: 839 Days
• Field of Search: 313/503, 313/504, 313/505, 313/506, 313/509, 313/511, 430/7, 445/22, 445/24
• US Class Current: 313/504
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/125 specially adapted for multicolour light emission, e.g. for emitting white light
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/38 comprising colour filters or colour changing media [CCM]

Abstract

An organic polymer based display and method for making the same. The display is constructed on a flexible sheet having first and second surfaces, the first and second surfaces being parallel to one another. The flexible sheet is transparent to light of a first wavelength. A first electrode, which includes a first electrode layer in contact with the first surface, is deposited on the flexible sheet. The first electrode layer is also transparent to light of the first wavelength. A light-emitting layer that includes an organic polymer is deposited on the electrode layer. A second electrode that includes a second electrode layer in contact with the light emitting layer is deposited on the light-emitting layer. The light emitting layer generates light of the first wavelength when a potential difference is applied across the first and second electrodes. A light conversion layer is deposited in contact with the second surface of the flexible sheet. The light conversion layer absorbs light of the first wavelength and emitting light of a second wavelength. In an addressable pixelated display, the light conversion layer and one of the first or second electrodes are patterned as parallel strips overlying one another.

Claims

1. A display device comprising:

a flexible sheet having first and second surfaces, said first and second surfaces being parallel to one another, said flexible sheet being transparent to light of a first wavelength;

a first electrode comprising a first electrode layer in contact with said first surface, said first electrode layer being transparent to light of said first wavelength;

a light emitting layer comprising an organic polymer in electrical contact with said first electrode layer;

a second electrode comprising a second electrode layer in electrical contact with said light emitting layer, said light emitting layer generating light of said first wavelength when a potential difference is applied across said first and second electrodes; and

a light conversion layer in contact with said second surface, said light conversion layer absorbing light of said first wavelength and emitting light of a second wavelength.

2. The display of claim 1 wherein said flexible sheet is less than 125 microns.

3. The display of claim 1 wherein said light conversion layer and one of said first or second electrodes are patterned such that light generated in said light emitting layer under one of said first or second electrodes strikes said light conversion layer and is converted to said second wavelength.

4. The display of claim 1 wherein said light conversion layer and one of said first or second electrodes comprises parallel strips overlying one another.

5. The display of claim 1 further comprising an encapsulation structure for preventing oxygen or water vapor from reaching said electrode layers or said light emitting layer.

6. A method for fabricating a display device, said method comprising the steps of:

depositing a first electrode comprising a first electrode layer on a first surface of a flexible sheet having first and second surfaces, said first and second surfaces being parallel to one another, said flexible sheet being transparent to light of a first wavelength, said first electrode layer being transparent to light of said first wavelength;

depositing a light emitting layer comprising an organic polymer in electrical contact with said electrode layer;

depositing a second electrode comprising a second electrode layer in electrical contact with said light emitting layer, said light emitting layer generating light of said first wavelength when a potential difference is applied across said first and second electrodes; and

depositing a light conversion layer in contact with said second surface, said light conversion layer absorbing light of said first wavelength and emitting light of a second wavelength.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said light conversion layer and one of said first or second electrodes are patterned such that light generated in said light emitting layer under one of said first or second electrodes strikes said light conversion layer and is converted to said second wavelength.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein said light conversion layer and one of said first or second electrodes comprises parallel strips overlying one another.

9. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of encapsulating said display in a structure that prevents oxygen or water vapor from entering said display.