Light emitting apparatus and method of fabricating the same

• US 7,402,945 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2003
• Issued: 07/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Seo, Satoshi, Yamazaki, Shunpei, Murakami, Masakazu
• Primary Examiner(s): Santiago; Mariceli
• Application Number:
  US10/379,123
• Publication Number:
  US 20030222575A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,967 Days
• Field of Search: 313/503, 313/504, 313/506, 313/509, 313/511, 313/512
• US Class Current: 313/504
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/12 the substrate being other than a semiconductor body, e.g. an insulating body
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 2102/3026 Top emission
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/805 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/824 combined with auxiliary electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/85 Arrangements for extracting light from the devices
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/122 Pixel-defining structures or layers, e.g. banks
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/38 comprising colour filters or colour changing media [CCM]
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 71/00 Manufacture or treatment specially adapted for the organic devices covered by this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 71/12 using liquid deposition, e.g. spin coating
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 71/20 Changing the shape of the active layer in the devices, e.g. patterning
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 85/1135 Polyethylene dioxythiophene [PEDOT]; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 85/146 poly N-vinylcarbazol; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 85/60 Organic compounds having low molecular weight H10K85/10 - H10K85/50 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 85/631 Amine compounds having at least two aryl rest on at least one amine-nitrogen atom, e.g. triphenylamine

Abstract

Although an ink jet method known as a method of selectively forming a film of a high molecular species organic compound, can coat to divide an organic compound for emitting three kinds (R, G, B) of light in one step, film forming accuracy is poor, it is difficult to control the method and therefore, uniformity is not achieved and the constitution is liable to disperse. In contrast thereto, according to the invention, a film comprising a high molecular species material is formed over an entire face of a lower electrode connected to a thin film transistor by a coating method and thereafter, the film comprising the high molecular species material is etched by etching by plasma to thereby enable to selectively form a high molecular species material layer. Further, the organic compound layer is constituted by a material for carrying out luminescence of white color or luminescence of single color and combined with a color changing layer or a coloring layer to thereby realize full color formation.

Claims

1. A light emitting apparatus comprising a drive circuit, a terminal portion and a pixel portion, said pixel portion having a plurality of luminescent elements over a first substrate having an insulating surface:

wherein each of said plurality of luminescent elements comprises a first electrode, a layer comprising an organic compound over the first electrode, and a second electrode over the layer comprising the organic compound;

wherein an end portion of the first electrode is covered by an insulating substance, a side face of the insulating substance including a curved face having a first radius of curvature and a curved face having a second radius of curvature;

wherein the layer comprising the organic compound is provided over the insulating substance and the first electrode; and

wherein a third electrode is in contact with the insulating substance.

2. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein a second substrate having a light transmitting performance is over said plurality of luminescent elements.

3. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 2,

wherein said layer comprising said organic compound comprises a material which is luminescent in white color and combined with a color filter provided at the second substrate.

4. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 2,

wherein said layer comprising said organic compound comprises a material of emitting light of a single color and combined with at least a color changing layer and a coloring layer provided at the second substrate.

5. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 2,

wherein an interval between the first substrate and the second substrate is in a range of 2 μ

m through 30 μ

m.

6. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 2,

wherein a light emitted from each of said plurality of luminescent elements transmits through said second substrate.

7. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the layer comprising the organic compound comprises a polymer.

8. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said layer comprising said organic compound is a laminated layer of a layer comprising a polymer and a layer comprising a low molecular material.

9. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein an upper end portion of the insulating substance is the curved face having the first radius of curvature, a lower end portion of the insulating substance is the curved face having the second radius of curvature, and the first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature is in a range of 0.2 μ

m through 3 μ

m.

10. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein a second substrate is over said plurality of luminescent elements;

and

wherein the second substrate includes a recessed portion and a drying agent is provided at the recessed portion.

11. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein a second substrate is over said plurality of luminescent elements;

and

wherein the second substrate includes a recessed portion provided with a drying agent and the recessed portion overlaps the drive circuit provided over the first substrate.

12. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said layer comprising said organic compound comprises poly(ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(stylenesulfonic acid).

13. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the light emitting apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a digital camera, a goggle type display, a car navigation apparatus, a personal computer and a portable information terminal.

14. A light emitting apparatus comprising a drive circuit, a terminal portion and a pixel portion, said pixel portion having a plurality of luminescent elements over a first substrate having an insulating surface:

wherein each of said plurality of luminescent elements comprises a first electrode, a layer comprising an organic compound over the first electrode, and a second electrode over the layer comprising the organic compound;

wherein an end portion of the first electrode is covered by an insulating substance, a side face of the insulating substance including a curved face having a first radius of curvature and a curved face having a second radius of curvature;

wherein a third electrode is provided over the insulating substance; and

wherein the layer comprising the organic compound is provided over the insulating substance and the first electrode.

15. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 14,

wherein a second substrate having a light transmitting performance is over said plurality of luminescent elements.

16. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 15,

wherein said layer comprising said organic compound comprises a material which is luminescent in white color and combined with a color filter provided at the second substrate.

17. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 15,

wherein said layer comprising said organic compound comprises a material of emitting light of a single color and combined with at least a color changing layer and a coloring layer provided at the second substrate.

18. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 15,

wherein an interval between the first substrate and the second substrate is in a range of 2 μ

m through 30 μ

m.

19. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 15,

wherein a light emitted from each of said plurality of luminescent elements transmits through said second substrate.

20. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 14,

wherein the layer comprising the organic compound comprises a polymer.

21. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 14,

wherein said layer comprising said organic compound is a laminated layer of a layer comprising a polymer and a layer comprising a low molecular material.

22. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 14,

wherein an upper end portion of the insulating substance is the curved face having the first radius of curvature, a lower end portion of the insulating substance is the curved face having the second radius of curvature, and the first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature is in a range of 0.2 μ

m through 3 μ

m.

23. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 14,

wherein a second substrate is over said plurality of luminescent elements;

and

wherein the second substrate includes a recessed portion and a drying agent is provided at the recessed portion.

24. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 14,

wherein a second substrate is over said plurality of luminescent elements;

and

wherein the second substrate includes a recessed portion provided with a drying agent and the recessed portion overlaps the drive circuit provided over the first substrate.

25. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 14,

wherein said layer comprising said organic compound comprises poly(ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(stylenesulfonic acid).

26. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 14,

wherein the light emitting apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a digital camera, a goggle type display, a car navigation apparatus, a personal computer and a portable information terminal.

27. A light emitting apparatus comprising a drive circuit, a terminal portion and a pixel portion, said pixel portion having a plurality of luminescent elements over a first substrate having an insulating surface:

wherein each of said plurality of luminescent elements comprises a first electrode, a layer comprising an organic compound over the first electrode, and a second electrode over the layer comprising the organic compound;

wherein an end portion of the first electrode is covered by an insulating substance, a side face of the insulating substance including a curved face having a first radius of curvature and a curved face having a second radius of curvature;

wherein the layer comprising the organic compound is provided over the insulating substance and the first electrode; and

wherein a part of the layer comprising the organic compound is in contact with the insulating substance.

28. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 27,

wherein a second substrate having a light transmitting performance is over said plurality of luminescent elements.

29. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 28,

wherein said layer comprising said organic compound comprises a material which is luminescent in white color and combined with a color filter provided at the second substrate.

30. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 28,

wherein said layer comprising said organic compound comprises a material of emitting light of a single color and combined with at least a color changing layer and a coloring layer provided at the second substrate.

31. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 28,

wherein an interval between the first substrate and the second substrate is in a range of 2μ

m through 30μ

m.

32. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 28,

wherein a light emitted from each of said plurality of luminescent elements transmits through said second substrate.

33. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 27,

wherein the layer comprising the organic compound comprises a polymer.

34. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 27,

wherein said layer comprising said organic compound is a laminated layer of a layer comprising a polymer and a layer comprising a low molecular material.

35. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 27,

wherein an upper end portion of the insulating substance is the curved face having the first radius of curvature, a lower end portion of the insulating substance is the curved face having the second radius of curvature, and the first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature is in a range of 0.2μ

m through 3μ

m.

36. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 27,

wherein a second substrate is over said plurality of luminescent elements;

and

wherein the second substrate includes a recessed portion and a drying agent is provided at the recessed portion.

37. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 27,

wherein a second substrate is over said plurality of luminescent elements;

and

wherein the second substrate includes a recessed portion provided with a drying agent and the recessed portion overlaps the drive circuit provided over the first substrate.

38. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 27,

wherein said layer comprising said organic compound comprises poly(ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(stylenesulfonic acid).

39. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 27,

wherein the light emitting apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a digital camera, a goggle type display, a car navigation apparatus, a personal computer and a portable information terminal.

40. A light emitting apparatus comprising a drive circuit, a terminal portion and a pixel portion, the pixel portion comprising a first luminescent element and a second luminescent element over a substrate,

wherein the first luminescent element comprises a first electrode, a first layer comprising an organic compound over the first electrode, and a part of a second electrode over the first layer comprising the organic compound,

wherein the second luminescent element comprises a fourth electrode, a second layer comprising an organic compound over the fourth electrode, and a part of the second electrode over the second layer comprising the organic compound,

wherein an insulating substance are over an end portion of the first electrode and an end portion of the fourth electrode,

wherein upper and lower end portions of a side face of the insulating substance are round, and

wherein a third electrode is between the first and second luminescent elements.

41. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 40,

wherein the second electrode comprises Mg and Ag.

42. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 40,

wherein the third electrode is above the first electrode.

43. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 40,

wherein the third electrode is not connected to the first electrode.

44. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 40,

wherein the first electrode is a single layer.

45. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 40,

wherein the second electrode is a single layer.

46. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 40,

wherein the light emitting apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a digital camera, a goggle type display, a car navigation apparatus, a personal computer and a portable information terminal.

47. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 40,

wherein the organic compound of the first layer and the organic compound of the second layer are the same.

48. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 40,

wherein the upper end portion of the insulating substance has a first radius of curvature, and

wherein the lower end portion of the insulating substance has a second radius of curvature.

49. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 40,

wherein the upper end portion of the insulating substance has a first radius of curvature,

wherein the lower end portion of the insulating substance has a second radius of curvature, and

wherein the first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature is in a range of 0.2μ

m though 3μ

m.

50. A light emitting apparatus comprising a drive circuit, a terminal portion and a pixel portion, the pixel portion comprising a first luminescent element and a second luminescent element over a substrate,

wherein the first luminescent element comprises a first electrode, a first layer comprising an organic compound over the first electrode, and a part of a second electrode over the first layer comprising the organic compound,

wherein the second luminescent element comprises a fourth electrode, a second layer comprising an organic compound over the fourth electrode, and a part of the second electrode over the second layer comprising the organic compound,

wherein an insulating substance is over an end portion of the first electrode and an end portion of the fourth electrode,

wherein upper and lower end portions of a side face of the insulating substance are round,

wherein a third electrode is between the first and second luminescent elements, and

wherein the third electrode is in contact with the insulating substance.

51. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 50,

wherein the second electrode comprises Mg and Ag.

52. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 50,

wherein the third electrode is above the first electrode.

53. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 50,

wherein the third electrode is not connected to the first electrode.

54. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 50,

wherein the first electrode is a single layer.

55. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 50,

wherein the second electrode is a single layer.

56. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 50,

wherein the light emitting apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a digital camera, a goggle type display, a car navigation apparatus, a personal computer and a portable information terminal.

57. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 50,

wherein the organic compound of the first layer and the organic compound of the second layer are the same.

58. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 50,

wherein the upper end portion of the insulating substance has a first radius of curvature, and

wherein the lower end portion of the insulating substance has a second radius of curvature.

59. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 50,

wherein the upper end portion of the insulating substance has a first radius of curvature,

wherein the lower end portion of the insulating substance has a second radius of curvature, and

wherein the first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature is in a range of 0.2μ

m though 3μ

m.

60. A light emitting apparatus comprising a drive circuit, a terminal portion and a pixel portion, the pixel portion comprising a first luminescent element and a second luminescent element over a substrate,

wherein the first luminescent element comprises a first electrode, a first layer comprising an organic compound over the first electrode, and a part of a second electrode over the layer comprising the organic compound,

wherein the second luminescent element comprises a fourth electrode, a second layer comprising an organic compound over the fourth electrode, and a part of the second electrode over the second layer comprising the organic compound,

wherein an insulating substance is over an end portion of the first electrode and an end portion of the fourth electrode,

wherein upper and lower end portions of a side face of the insulating substance are round,

wherein a third electrode is between the first and second luminescent elements, and

wherein the insulating substance is in contact with a part of the first layer comprising the organic compound and a part of the second layer comprising the organic compound.

61. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 60,

wherein the second electrode comprises Mg and Ag.

62. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 60,

wherein the third electrode is above the first electrode.

63. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 60,

wherein the third electrode is not connected to the first electrode.

64. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 60,

wherein the first electrode is a single layer.

65. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 60,

wherein the second electrode is a single layer.

66. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 60,

wherein the light emitting apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a digital camera, a goggle type display, a car navigation apparatus, a personal computer and a portable information terminal.

67. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 60,

wherein the organic compound of the first layer and the organic compound of the second layer are the same.

68. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 60,

wherein the upper end portion of the insulating substance has a first radius of curvature, and

wherein the lower end portion of the insulating substance has a second radius of curvature.

69. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 60,

wherein the upper end portion of the insulating substance has a first radius of curvature,

wherein the lower end portion of the insulating substance has a second radius of curvature, and

wherein the first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature is in a range of 0.2μ

m through 3μ

m.