Electrode structure of el device

• US 6,664,730 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2001
• Issued: 12/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Universal Display Corporation
• Original Assignee: Universal Display Corporation
• Inventors: Weaver, Michael S.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Krishnan, Sumati
• Application Number:
  US09/899,850
• Publication Number:
  US 20030006697A1
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 313/504, 313/505, 361/772, 361/775
• US Class Current: 313/504
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 2102/3026 Top emission
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 2102/311 Flexible OLED
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/814 combined with auxiliary electrodes, e.g. ITO layer combined with metal lines
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/824 combined with auxiliary electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/828 Transparent cathodes, e.g. comprising thin metal layers
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/8445 multilayered coatings having a repetitive structure, e.g. having multiple organic-inorganic bilayers
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/122 Pixel-defining structures or layers, e.g. banks
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/173 comprising banks or shadow masks
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/179 Interconnections, e.g. wiring lines or terminals

Abstract

An array of OLEDs is provided. The array includes a first electrode that has a plurality of physically separate pieces that are electrically connected by a bus line. The array further includes a second electrode, and an organic layer disposed between the first and second electrodes. The organic layer is electrically connected to the second electrode, and to at least one of the physically separate pieces of the first electrode. The embodiment may be used to fabricate an array of OLEDs on a flexible substrate.

Claims

1. An array of organic light emitting devices, comprising:

a first electrode having a plurality of physically separate pieces;

a bus line that electrically connects the plurality of physically separate pieces of the first electrode;

a second electrode;

an organic layer disposed between the first and second electrodes, the organic layer being electrically connected to the second electrode, and the organic layer being electrically connected to at least one of the physically separate pieces of the first electrode;

wherein an organic light emitting device includes more than one of the plurality of physically separate pieces of the first electrode.

2. The array of claim 1, wherein the array is fabricated on a flexible substrate.

3. An array of organic light emitting devices, comprising:

a first electrode having a plurality of physically separate pieces;

a bus line that electrically connects the plurality of physically separate pieces of the first electrode;

a second electrode;

an organic layer disposed between the first and second electrodes, the organic layer being electrically connected to the second electrode, and the organic layer being electrically connected to at least one of the physically separate pieces of the first electrode;

wherein a physically separate piece of the first electrode is shared by a plurality of organic light emitting devices.

4. The array of claim 3, wherein the first electrode is a bottom electrode.

5. The array of claim 3, wherein the array is fabricated on a flexible substrate.

6. An array of organic light emitting devices, comprising:

a first electrode having a plurality of physically separate pieces;

a bus line that electrically connects the plurality of physically separate pieces of the first electrode;

a second electrode;

an organic layer disposed between the first and second electrodes, the organic layer being electrically connected to the second electrode, and the organic layer being electrically connected to at least one of the physically separate pieces of the first electrode;

wherein the first electrode is a top electrode.

7. The array of claim 6, wherein the composition of the first electrode includes a conductive metal oxide.

8. The array of claim 7, wherein the conductive metal oxide is indium tin oxide.

9. The array of claim 6, wherein the array of organic devices is an array of organic light emitting devices.

10. The array of claim 6, wherein the array of organic devices is an array of photovoltaic cells.

11. The array of claim 6, wherein the array of organic devices is an array of transistors.

12. The array of claim 6, wherein the array is an active matrix display, and wherein the first electrode is electrically connected to every organic light emitting device in the array.

13. The array of claim 6, wherein the array is a passive matrix display, and wherein the display includes a plurality of first electrodes such that each first electrode is connected to every pixel in a particular column of the display.

14. An array of organic light emitting devices, comprising:

a first electrode having a plurality of physically separate pieces;

a bus line that electrically connects the plurality of physically separate pieces of the first electrode;

a second electrode;

an organic layer disposed between the first and second electrodes, the organic layer being electrically connected to the second electrode, and the organic layer being electrically connected to at least one of the physically separate pieces of the first electrode;

wherein the array is fabricated on a flexible substrate; and

wherein the substrate may be bent to a radius of curvature of 1 meter without sustaining damage.

15. The array of claim 14, wherein the substrate may be bent to a radius of curvature of 5 mm without sustaining damage.

16. The array of claim 14, further comprising a barrier layer disposed between the substrate and the array.

17. The array of claim 16, wherein the barrier layer further comprises multiple sublayers of a high density dielectric material alternating with layers of a polymer.

18. An array of organic light emitting devices, comprising:

a first electrode having a plurality of physically separate pieces;

a bus line that electrically connects the plurality of physically separate pieces of the first electrode;

a second electrode; and

an organic layer disposed between the first and second electrodes, the organic layer being electrically connected to the second electrode, and the organic layer being electrically connected to at least one of the physically separate pieces of the first electrode;

wherein the physically separate pieces have dimensions of about 260 microns to about 300 microns.

19. The array of claim 18, wherein the array is fabricated on a flexible substrate.