Method for deposition and patterning of organic thin film

• US 6,297,516 B1
• Filed: 06/25/1999
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University (Princeton University)
• Original Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University (Princeton University)
• Inventors: Forrest, Stephen R., Bulovic, Vladimir, Burrows, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Eddie
• Assistant Examiner(s): Baumeister, Bradley W.
• Application Number:
  US09/344,722
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 257/40, 257/81, 257/99, 257/89, 257/91, 257/103, 313/500, 313/502, 313/503, 313/504, 313/505, 313/506, 428/917
• US Class Current: 257/40
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/11 characterised by the electroluminescent [EL] layers
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/125 specially adapted for multicolour light emission, e.g. for emitting white light
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/173 comprising banks or shadow masks
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/32 Stacked devices having two or more layers, each emitting at different wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 71/00 Manufacture or treatment specially adapted for the organic devices covered by this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 71/18 using non-liquid printing techniques, e.g. thermal transfer printing from a donor sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 71/20 Changing the shape of the active layer in the devices, e.g. patterning

Abstract

A patterning system with a photoresist overhang allows material to be deposited onto a substrate in various positions by varying the angle from which the material is deposited, and by rotating the substrate. The patterning system can be used to fabricate a stack of organic light emitting devices on a substrate using the same patterning system and without removing the substrate from vacuum.

Claims

1. An organic light emitting device comprising:

a. a substrate having at least first, second and third contact pads;

b. a first organic layer deposited on said substrate and contacting said first contact pad;

c. a first electrode deposited on said first organic layer and contacting said second contact pad;

d. a second organic layer deposited on said first electrode, wherein said second organic layer does not completely cover said first electrode;

e. a second electrode deposited on said second organic layer and contacting said third contact pad;

wherein light emission from said first organic layer occurs when a voltage is applied between said first and second contact pads and light emission from said second organic layer occurs when a voltage is applied between said second and third contact pads.

2. The organic light emitting device of claim 1 further comprising:

a. said substrate having a fourth contact pad;

b. a third organic layer deposited on second electrode;

c. a third electrode deposited on said third organic layer and contacting said fourth contact pad;

wherein light emission from said third organic layer occurs when a voltage is applied between said third and fourth contact pads.

3. The organic light emitting device of claim 2 wherein said third organic layer does not completely cover said second electrode.

4. The organic light emitting device of claim 2 wherein said third electrode does not completely cover said third organic layer.

5. The organic light emitting device of claim 1 wherein said first organic layer completely covers said first contact pad.

6. The organic light emitting device of claim 1 wherein said first electrode does not completely cover said first organic layer.

7. The organic light emitting device of claim 1 wherein said second electrode does not completely cover said second organic layer.