Light emitting device

• US 7,164,155 B2
• Filed: 05/01/2003
• Issued: 01/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Arai, Yasuyuki, Yamazaki, Shunpei
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHARDS, N DREW
• Application Number:
  US10/426,971
• Publication Number:
  US 20040004214A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,356 Days
• Field of Search: 257/57, 257/59, 257/83, 257/84, 313/500, 313503- 6, 313/511
• US Class Current: 257/84
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 10/00 Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission, e.g. quantum computing or single electron logic
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 10/464 Lateral top-gate IGFETs comprising only a single gate
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 10/466 Lateral bottom-gate IGFETs comprising only a single gate
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 2102/311 Flexible OLED
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/11 characterised by the electroluminescent [EL] layers
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/80 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/844 Encapsulations
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/8445 multilayered coatings having a repetitive structure, e.g. having multiple organic-inorganic bilayers
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/85 Arrangements for extracting light from the devices
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/856 comprising reflective means
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/12 Active-matrix OLED [AMOLED] displays
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/125 including organic TFTs [OTFT]
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/17 Passive-matrix OLED displays
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/179 Interconnections, e.g. wiring lines or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/8731 multilayered coatings having a repetitive structure, e.g. having multiple organic-inorganic bilayers
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/878 comprising reflective means
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 85/113 Heteroaromatic compounds comprising sulfur or selene, e.g. polythiophene

Abstract

A light emitting device having a plastic substrate is capable of preventing the substrate from deterioration with the transmission of oxygen or moisture content can be obtained. The light emitting device has light emitting elements formed between a lamination layer and an inorganic compound layer that transmits visual light, where the lamination layer is constructed of one unit or two or more units, and each unit is a laminated structure of a metal layer and an organic compound layer. Alternatively, the light emitting device has light emitting elements formed between a lamination layer and an inorganic compound layer that transmits visual light, where the lamination layer is constructed of one unit or two or more units, and each unit is a laminated structure of a metal layer and an organic compound layer, wherein the inorganic compound layer is formed so as to cover the end face of the lamination layer. In the present invention, the lamination layer is formed on the primary surface of the plastic substrate, so that a flexible substrate structure can be obtained while preventing the substrate from deterioration with the transmission of oxygen or moisture content.

Claims

1. A light emitting device comprising:

a plastic substrate;

a lamination layer formed over the plastic substrate, the lamination layer comprising a metal layer and an organic compound layer;

an inorganic compound layer that transmits visual light; and

a light emitting element formed between the lamination layer and the inorganic compound layer;

wherein the lamination layer is in direct contact with at least a portion of the inorganic compound layer, and

wherein the light emitting element is formed over the lamination layer.

2. A light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein an intermediate layer is formed between the lamination layer and the light emitting element.

3. A light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the metal layer is formed of aluminum or aluminum alloy.

4. A light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the lamination layer is formed on a primary surface of the plastic substrate.

5. A light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the plastic substrate is one selected from the group consisting of polyether sulphone, polyallylate, polyimide, polyamide, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylenenaphthalate and polycarbonate.

6. A light emitting device comprising:

a lamination layer, the lamination layer comprising a metal layer and an organic compound layer;

an inorganic compound layer that transmits visual light; and

a light emitting element formed between the lamination layer and the inorganic compound layer,

wherein the inorganic compound layer is formed so as to cover a side surface of the lamination layer.

7. A light emitting device according to claim 6, wherein an intermediate layer is formed between the lamination layer and the light emitting element.

8. A light emitting device according to claim 6, wherein the metal layer is formed of aluminum or aluminum alloy.

9. A light emitting device according to claim 6, wherein the lamination layer is formed on a primary surface of a plastic substrate.

10. A light emitting device according to claim 6, wherein the lamination layer is formed on a primary surface of a plastic substrate, and

wherein the plastic substrate is one selected from the group consisting of polyether sulphone, polyallylate, polyimide, polyamide, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylenenaphthalate and polycarbonate.

11. A light emitting device comprising:

a plastic substrate;

a lamination layer formed over the plastic substrate, the lamination layer comprising a metal layer and an organic compound layer;

an inorganic compound layer that transmits visual light;

a light emitting element; and

a thin film transistor connected to the light emitting element,

wherein the thin film transistor and the light emitting element are formed in a matrix between the lamination layer and the inorganic compound layer,

wherein the lamination layer is in direct contact with at least a portion of the inorganic compound layer, and

wherein the light emitting element is formed over the lamination layer.

12. A light emitting device according to claim 11, wherein an intermediate layer is formed between the lamination layer and the thin film transistor.

13. A light emitting device according to claim 11, wherein an intermediate layer is formed between the lamination layer and a pixel portion.

14. A light emitting device according to claim 11, wherein the metal layer is formed of aluminum or aluminum alloy.

15. A light emitting device according to claim 11, wherein the lamination layer is formed on a primary surface of the plastic substrate.

16. A light emitting device according to claim 11, wherein the plastic substrate is one selected from the group consisting of polyether sulphone, polyallylate, polyimide, polyamide, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylenenaphthalate and polycarbonate.

17. A light emitting device comprising:

a lamination layer, the lamination layer comprising a metal layer and an organic compound layer;

an inorganic compound layer that transmits visual light; and

a light emitting element; and

a thin film transistor connected to the light emitting element,

wherein the thin film transistor and the light emitting element are formed in a matrix between the lamination layer and the inorganic compound layer, and

wherein the inorganic compound layer is formed so as to cover a side surface of the lamination layer.

18. A light emitting device according to claim 17, wherein an intermediate layer is formed between the lamination layer and the thin film transistor.

19. A light emitting device according to claim 17, wherein an intermediate layer is formed between the lamination layer and a pixel portion.

20. A light emitting device according to claim 17, wherein the metal layer is formed of aluminum or aluminum alloy.

21. A light emitting device according to claim 17, wherein the lamination layer is formed on a primary surface of a plastic substrate.

22. A light emitting device according to claim 17, wherein the lamination layer is formed on a primary surface of a plastic substrate,

wherein the plastic substrate is one selected from the group consisting of polyether sulphone, polyallylate, polyimide, polyamide, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylenenaphthalate and polycarbonate.

23. A light emitting device comprising:

a pixel portion comprising a light emitting element and wiring, wherein the light emitting element comprises a light emitting layer containing an organic light emitting material and is formed between a first electrode and a second electrode extended in one direction, and the wiring is connected to the first electrode and extended in the direction intersecting the one direction;

a plastic substrate;

a lamination layer formed over the plastic substrate, the lamination layer comprising a metal layer and an organic compound layer; and

an inorganic compound layer that transmits visual light,

wherein the light emitting element is formed between the lamination layer and the inorganic compound layer,

wherein the lamination layer is in direct contact with at least a portion of the inorganic compound layer, and

wherein the light emitting element is formed over the lamination layer.

24. A light emitting device according to claim 23, wherein the metal layer is formed of aluminum or aluminum alloy.

25. A light emitting device according to claim 23, wherein the lamination layer is formed on a primary surface of the plastic substrate.

26. A light emitting device according to claim 23, wherein the plastic substrate is one selected from the group consisting of polyether sulphone, polyallylate, polyimide, polyamide, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylenenaphthalate and polycarbonate.

27. A light emitting device comprising:

a pixel portion comprising a light emitting element and wiring, wherein the light emitting element comprises a light emitting layer containing an organic light emitting material and is formed between a first electrode and a second electrode extended in one direction, and the wiring is connected to the first electrode and extended in the direction intersecting the one direction;

a lamination layer, the lamination layer comprising a metal layer and an organic compound layer; and

an inorganic compound layer that transmits visual light,

wherein the light emitting element is formed between the lamination layer and the inorganic compound layer, and

wherein the inorganic compound layer is formed so as to cover a side surface of the lamination layer.

28. A light emitting device according to claim 27, wherein the metal layer is formed of aluminum or aluminum alloy.

29. A light emitting device according to claim 27, wherein the lamination layer is formed on a primary surface of a plastic substrate.

30. A light emitting device according to claim 27, wherein the lamination layer is formed on a primary surface of a plastic substrate, and

wherein the plastic substrate is one selected from the group consisting of polyether sulphone, polyallylate, polyimide, polyamide, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylenenaphthalate and polycarbonate.

31. A light emitting device comprising:

a plurality of lamination layers, each of the plurality of lamination layer comprising a metal layer and an organic compound layer;

an inorganic compound layer that transmits visual light; and

a light emitting element formed between the plurality of lamination layers and the inorganic compound layer;

wherein the light emitting element is formed over the plurality of lamination layers.

32. A light emitting device according to claim 31, wherein an intermediate layer is formed between the plurality of lamination layers and the light emitting element.

33. A light emitting device according to claim 31, wherein the metal layer is formed of aluminum or aluminum alloy.

34. A light emitting device according to claim 31, wherein the plurality of lamination layers are formed on a primary surface of a plastic substrate.

35. A light emitting device according to claim 31, wherein the plurality of lamination layers are formed on a primary surface of a plastic substrate, and

wherein the plastic substrate is one selected from the group consisting of polyether sulphone, polyallylate, polyimide, polyamide, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylenenaphthalate and polycarbonate.

36. A light emitting device comprising:

a plurality of lamination layers, each of the plurality of lamination layers comprising a metal layer and an organic compound layer;

an inorganic compound layer that transmits visual light; and

a light emitting element formed between the plurality of lamination layers and the inorganic compound layer,

wherein the inorganic compound layer is formed so as to cover a side surface of the plurality of lamination layers.

37. A light emitting device according to claim 36, wherein an intermediate layer is formed between the plurality of lamination layer and the light emitting element.

38. A light emitting device according to claim 36, wherein the metal layer is formed of aluminum or aluminum alloy.

39. A light emitting device according to claim 36, wherein the plurality of lamination layers are formed on a primary surface of a plastic substrate.

40. A light emitting device according to claim 36, wherein the plurality of lamination layers are formed on a primary surface of a plastic substrate, and

wherein the plastic substrate is one selected from the group consisting of polyether sulphone, polyallylate, polyimide, polyamide, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylenenaphthalate and polycarbonate.

41. A light emitting device comprising:

a plastic substrate;

a plurality of lamination layers formed over the plastic substrate, each of the plurality of lamination layers comprising a metal layer and an organic compound layer;

an inorganic compound layer that transmits visual light;

a light emitting element; and

a thin film transistor connected to the light emitting element,

wherein the thin film transistor and the light emitting element are formed in a matrix between the plurality of lamination layers and the inorganic compound layer,

wherein the plurality of lamination layers are in direct contact with at least a portion of the inorganic compound layer, and

wherein the light emitting element is formed over the plurality of lamination layers.

42. A light emitting device according to claim 41, wherein an intermediate layer is formed between the plurality of lamination layer and the thin film transistor.

43. A light emitting device according to claim 41, wherein an intermediate layer is formed between the plurality of lamination layer and a pixel portion.

44. A light emitting device according to claim 41, wherein the metal layer is formed of aluminum or aluminum alloy.

45. A light emitting device according to claim 41, wherein the plurality of lamination layers are formed on a primary surface of the plastic substrate.

46. A light emitting device according to claim 41, wherein the plastic substrate is one selected from the group consisting of polyether sulphone, polyallylate, polyimide, polyamide, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylenenaphthalate and polycarbonate.

47. A light emitting device comprising:

a plurality of lamination layers, each of the plurality of lamination layers comprising a metal layer and an organic compound layer;

an inorganic compound layer that transmits visual light; and

a light emitting element; and

a thin film transistor connected to the light emitting element,

wherein the thin film transistor and the light emitting element are formed in a matrix between the plurality of lamination layers and the inorganic compound layer, and

wherein the inorganic compound layer is formed so as to cover a side surface of the plurality of lamination layers.

48. A light emitting device according to claim 47, wherein an intermediate layer is formed between the plurality of lamination layers and the thin film transistor.

49. A light emitting device according to claim 47, wherein an intermediate layer is formed between the plurality of lamination layers and a pixel portion.

50. A light emitting device according to claim 47, wherein the metal layer is formed of aluminum or aluminum alloy.

51. A light emitting device according to claim 47, wherein the plurality of lamination layers are formed on a primary surface of a plastic substrate.

52. A light emitting device according to claim 47, wherein the plurality of lamination layers are formed on a primary surface of a plastic substrate, and

wherein the plastic substrate is one selected from the group consisting of polyether sulphone, polyallylate, polyimide, polyamide, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylenenaphthalate and polycarbonate.

53. A light emitting device comprising:

a pixel portion comprising a light emitting element and wiring, wherein the light emitting element comprises a light emitting layer containing an organic light emitting material and is formed between a first electrode and a second electrode extended in one direction, and the wiring is connected to the first electrode and extended in the direction intersecting the one direction;

a plastic substrate;

a plurality of lamination layers formed over the plastic substrate, each of the plurality of lamination layer comprising a metal layer and an organic compound layer; and

an inorganic compound layer that transmits visual light,

wherein the light emitting element is formed between the plurality of lamination layers and the inorganic compound layer,

wherein the plurality of lamination layers are in direct contact with at least a portion of the inorganic compound layer, and

wherein the light emitting element is formed over the plurality of lamination layers.

54. A light emitting device according to claim 53, wherein the metal layer is formed of aluminum or aluminum alloy.

55. A light emitting device according to claim 53, wherein the plurality of lamination layers are formed on a primary surface of a plastic substrate.

56. A light emitting device according to claim 53, wherein the plurality of lamination layers are formed on a primary surface of a plastic substrate, and

wherein the plastic substrate is one selected from the group consisting of polyether sulphone, polyallylate, polyimide, polyamide, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylenenaphthalate and polycarbonate.

57. A light emitting device comprising:

a pixel portion comprising a light emitting element and wiring, wherein the light emitting element comprises a light emitting layer containing an organic light emitting material and is formed between a first electrode and a second electrode extended in one direction, and the wiring is connected to the first electrode and extended in the direction intersecting the one direction;

a plurality of lamination layers, each of the plurality of lamination layers comprising a metal layer and an organic compound layer; and

an inorganic compound layer that transmits visual light,

wherein the light emitting element is formed between the plurality of lamination layer and the inorganic compound layer, and

wherein the inorganic compound layer is formed so as to cover a side surface of the plurality of lamination layers.

58. A light emitting device according to claim 57, wherein the metal layer is formed of aluminum or aluminum alloy.

59. A light emitting device according to claim 57, wherein the plurality of lamination layers are formed on a primary surface of a plastic substrate.

60. A light emitting device according to claim 57, wherein the plurality of lamination layers are formed on a primary surface of a plastic substrate, and

wherein the plastic substrate is one selected from the group consisting of polyether sulphone, polyallylate, polyimide, polyamide, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylenenaphthalate and polycarbonate.