Display device

• US 7,554,265 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2005
• Issued: 06/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Matsubara, Tomoe, Godo, Hiromichi, Sakakura, Masayuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Nimeshkumar D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hollweg; Thomas A
• Application Number:
  US11/159,351
• Publication Number:
  US 20050285516A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,468 Days
• Field of Search: 313498-512, 359580-590
• US Class Current: 313/506
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/85 Arrangements for extracting light from the devices
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/12 Active-matrix OLED [AMOLED] displays
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/875 Arrangements for extracting light from the devices

Abstract

An active matrix display device which can easily improve the viewing angle characteristics. In the active matrix display device where light is emitted in the direction of a substrate over which thin film transistors are formed, when focusing on the multiple interference caused by the light emitted from a light-emitting element, which is reflected on the film used for forming the thin film transistors, effect on the multiple interference can be drastically reduced by forming the reflecting film to have the substantial optical thickness of λ/2, without losing the function of the thin film transistor.

Claims

1. A display device comprising:

a substrate;

a thin film transistor including a semiconductor layer formed over the substrate;

a wiring electrically connected to the semiconductor layer;

a light-emitting element comprising;

a first electrode electrically connected to the wiring;

a light emitting layer over the first electrode; and

a second electrode over the light emitting layer, and

a plurality of layers formed between the substrate and the light-emitting element, including;

a first layer having a refraction factor n1,

a second layer over the first layer, having a refraction factor n2, and

a third layer over the second layer, having a refraction factor n3,

wherein n1<

n2>

n3,

wherein an optical thickness of the second layer is substantially equal to the integral multiple of λ

/2, and

wherein a center wavelength of a light emitted from the light-emitting element is λ

.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the first layer has substantially the same refraction factor as the third layer.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the first layer has the same refraction factor as the third layer.

4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the first layer is formed of the same material as the third layer.

5. A display device according to claim 1 wherein the display device is comprised in one selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a digital camera, a goggle display, a navigation system, an audio reproducing device, a computer, a game machine, a portable information terminal, and an image reproducing device provided with a recording medium.

6. A display device comprising:

a substrate;

a thin film transistor including a semiconductor layer formed over the substrate;

a wiring electrically connected to the semiconductor layer;

a light-emitting element comprising;

a first electrode electrically connected to the wiring;

a light emitting layer over the first electrode; and

a second electrode over the light emitting layer, and

a plurality of layers formed between the substrate and the light-emitting element, including;

a first layer having a refraction factor n1,

a second layer over the first layer, having a refraction factor n2, and

a third layer over the second layer, having a refraction factor n3,

wherein n1>

n2<

n3,

wherein an optical thickness of the second layer is substantially equal to the integral multiple of λ

/2, and

wherein a center wavelength of a light emitted from the light-emitting element is λ

.

7. The display device according to claim 6, wherein the first layer has substantially the same refraction factor as the third layer.

8. The display device according to claim 6, wherein the first layer has the same refraction factor as the third layer.

9. The display device according to claim 6, wherein the first layer is formed of the same material as the third layer.

10. A display device according to claim 6 wherein the display device is comprised in one selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a digital camera, a goggle display, a navigation system, an audio reproducing device, a computer, a game machine, a portable information terminal, and an image reproducing device provided with a recording medium.

11. A display device comprising:

a substrate;

a first base insulating film over the substrate;

a second base insulating film over the first base insulating film;

a thin film transistor including a semiconductor layer over the second base insulating film;

a first insulating film over the thin film transistor;

a second insulating film over the first insulating film;

a wiring formed over the second insulating film and electrically connected to the semiconductor layer through a contact hole; and

a light-emitting element comprising;

a first electrode electrically connected to the wiring;

a light emitting layer over the first electrode; and

a second electrode over the light emitting layer,

wherein the first electrode transmits light,

wherein the first base insulating film has a larger refraction factor than the substrate and than the second base insulating film,

wherein the first insulating film has a larger refraction factor than the second insulating film and than the second base insulating film,

wherein each optical thickness of the first base insulating film and the first insulating film is substantially equal to the integral multiple of λ

/2, and

wherein a center wavelength of the light emitted from the light-emitting element is λ

.

12. A display device according to claim 11 wherein the display device is comprised in one selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a digital camera, a goggle display, a navigation system, an audio reproducing device, a computer, a game machine, a portable information terminal, and an image reproducing device provided with a recording medium.

13. A display device comprising:

a substrate;

a first base insulating film over the substrate;

a second base insulating film over the first base insulating film;

a thin film transistor including a semiconductor layer over the second base insulating film;

a first insulating film over the thin film transistor;

a second insulating film over the first insulating film;

a wiring formed over the second insulating film and electrically connected to the semiconductor layer through a contact hole; and

a light-emitting element comprising;

a first electrode electrically connected to the wiring;

a light emitting layer over the first electrode; and

a second electrode over the light emitting layer,

wherein the first electrode transmits light,

wherein the first base insulating film has a smaller refraction factor than the substrate and than the second base insulating film,

wherein the first insulating film has a smaller refraction factor than the second insulating film and than the second base insulating film,

wherein each optical thickness of the first base insulating film and the first insulating film is substantially equal to the integral multiple of λ

/2, and

wherein a center wavelength of the light emitted from the light-emitting element is λ

.

14. A display device according to claim 13 wherein the display device is comprised in one selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a digital camera, a goggle display, a navigation system, an audio reproducing device, a computer, a game machine, a portable information terminal and an image reproducing device provided with a recording medium.

15. A display device comprising:

a substrate;

a first base insulating film over the substrate;

a second base insulating film over the first base insulating film;

a thin film transistor over the second base insulating film, including;

a semiconductor layer,

a gate insulating film adjacent to the semiconductor layer, and

a gate electrode adjacent to the gate insulating film;

a first insulating film over the thin film transistor;

a second insulating film over the first insulating film;

a wiring formed over the second insulating film and electrically connected to the semiconductor layer through a contact hole; and

a light-emitting element comprising;

a first electrode electrically connected to the wiring;

a light emitting layer over the first electrode; and

a second electrode over the light emitting layer,

wherein the first electrode transmits light,

wherein the first base insulating film has a larger refraction factor than the substrate and than the second base insulating film,

wherein the first insulating film has a larger refraction factor than the second insulating film and than the gate insulating film,

wherein a total optical thickness of the second base insulating film and the gate insulating film is L1,

wherein each optical thickness of the first base insulating film and the first insulating film is L2,

wherein m is an integer not less than 1,

wherein L1=−

L2+(2m−

1)λ

/4 is substantially satisfied, and

wherein a center wavelength of the light emitted from the light-emitting element is λ

.

16. A display device according to claim 15 wherein the display device is comprised in one selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a digital camera, a goggle display, a navigation system, an audio reproducing device, a computer, a game machine, a portable information terminal and an image reproducing device provided with a recording medium.

17. A display device comprising:

a substrate;

a first base insulating film over the substrate;

a second base insulating film over the first base insulating film;

a thin film transistor over the second base insulating film, including;

a semiconductor layer,

a gate insulating film adjacent to the semiconductor layer, and

a gate electrode adjacent to the gate insulating film;

a first insulating film over the thin film transistor;

a second insulating film over the first insulating film;

a wiring formed over the second insulating film and electrically connected to the semiconductor layer through a contact hole; and

a light-emitting element comprising;

a first electrode electrically connected to the wiring;

a light emitting layer over the first electrode; and

a second electrode over the light emitting layer,

wherein the first electrode transmits light,

wherein the first base insulating film has a smaller refraction factor than the substrate and than the second base insulating film,

wherein the first insulating film has a smaller refraction factor than the second insulating film and than the gate insulating film,

wherein a total optical thickness of the second base insulating film and the gate insulating film is L1,

wherein each optical thickness of the first base insulating film and the first insulating film is L2,

wherein m is an integer not less than 1,

wherein L1=−

L2+(2m−

1)λ

/4 is substantially satisfied, and

wherein a center wavelength of the light emitted from the light-emitting element is λ

.

18. A display device according to claim 17 wherein the display device is comprised in one selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a digital camera, a goggle display, a navigation system, an audio reproducing device, a computer, a game machine, a portable information terminal, and an image reproducing device provided with a recording medium.

19. A display device comprising:

a substrate;

a first base insulating film over the substrate;

a second base insulating film over the first base insulating film;

a thin film transistor over the second base insulating film, including;

a semiconductor layer,

a gate insulating film adjacent to the semiconductor layer, and

a gate electrode adjacent to the gate insulating film;

a first insulating film over the thin film transistor;

a second insulating film over the first insulating film;

a wiring formed over the second insulating film and electrically connected to the semiconductor layer through a contact hole; and

a light-emitting element comprising;

a first electrode electrically connected to the wiring;

a light emitting layer over the first electrode; and

a second electrode over the light emitting layer,

wherein the first electrode transmits light,

wherein a total optical thickness of the second base insulating film and the gate insulating film is L1,

wherein each optical thickness of the first base insulating film and the first insulating film is L2,

wherein m is an integer not less than 1,

wherein L1=−

L2+(2m−

1)λ

/4 is substantially satisfied,

wherein a center wavelength of the light emitted from the light-emitting element is λ

,

wherein a physical thickness of the first base insulating film is in the range of 120 to 162 nm,

wherein a physical thickness of the first insulating film is in the range of 120 to 162 nm, and

wherein a total physical thickness of the gate insulating film and the second base insulating film is in the range of 132 to 198 nm.

20. A display device according to claim 19 wherein the display device is comprised in one selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a digital camera, a goggle display, a navigation system, an audio reproducing device, a computer, a game machine, a portable information terminal, and an image reproducing device provided with a recording medium.

21. A display device comprising:

a substrate;

a first base insulating film over the substrate;

a second base insulating film over the first base insulating film;

a thin film transistor including a semiconductor layer over the second base insulating film;

an insulating film over the thin film transistor;

a wiring formed over the insulating film and electrically connected to the semiconductor layer through a contact hole; and

a light-emitting element comprising;

a first electrode electrically connected to the wiring;

a light emitting layer over the first electrode; and

a second electrode over the light emitting layer,

wherein the first electrode transmits light,

wherein the first base insulating film has a larger refraction factor than the substrate and than the second base insulating film,

wherein an optical thickness of the first base insulating film is substantially equal to the integral multiple of λ

/2, and

wherein a center wavelength of the light emitted from the light-emitting element is λ

.

22. A display device according to claim 21 wherein the display device is comprised in one selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a digital camera, a goggle display, a navigation system, an audio reproducing device, a computer, a game machine, a portable information terminal and an image reproducing device provided with a recording medium.

23. A display device comprising:

a substrate;

a first base insulating film over the substrate;

a second base insulating film over the first base insulating film;

a thin film transistor including a semiconductor layer over the second base insulating film;

an insulating film over the thin film transistor;

a wiring formed over the insulating film and electrically connected to the semiconductor layer through a contact hole; and

a light-emitting element comprising;

a first electrode electrically connected to the wiring;

a light emitting layer over the first electrode; and

a second electrode over the light emitting layer,

wherein the first electrode transmits light,

wherein the first base insulating film has a smaller refraction factor than the substrate and than the second base insulating film,

wherein an optical thickness of the first base insulating film is substantially equal to the integral multiple of λ

/2, and

wherein a center wavelength of the light emitted from the light-emitting element is λ

.

24. A display device according to claim 23 wherein the display device is comprised in one selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a digital camera, a goggle display, a navigation system, an audio reproducing device, a computer, a game machine, a portable information terminal and an image reproducing device provided with a recording medium.

25. A display device comprising:

a substrate;

a base insulating film over the substrate;

a thin film transistor over the base insulating film, including;

a semiconductor layer,

a gate insulating film adjacent to the semiconductor layer, and

a gate electrode adjacent to the gate insulating film;

a first insulating film over the thin film transistor;

a second insulating film over the first insulating film;

a wiring formed over the second insulating film and electrically connected to the semiconductor layer through a contact hole; and

a light-emitting element comprising;

a first electrode electrically connected to the wiring;

a light emitting layer over the first electrode; and

a second electrode over the light emitting layer,

wherein the first electrode transmits light,

wherein the base insulating film has a larger refraction factor than the substrate and than the gate insulating film,

wherein the first insulating film has a larger refraction factor than the second insulating film and than the gate insulating film,

wherein each optical thickness of the base insulating film and the first insulating film is substantially equal to the integral multiple of λ

/2, and

wherein a center wavelength of the light emitted from the light-emitting element is λ

.

26. A display device according to claim 25 wherein the display device is comprised in one selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a digital camera, a goggle display, a navigation system, an audio reproducing device, a computer, a game machine, a portable information terminal, and an image reproducing device provided with a recording medium.

27. A display device comprising:

a substrate;

a base insulating film over the substrate;

a thin film transistor over the base insulating film, including;

a semiconductor layer,

a gate insulating film adjacent to the semiconductor layer, and

a gate electrode adjacent to the gate insulating film;

a first insulating film over the thin film transistor;

a second insulating film over the first insulating film;

a wiring formed over the second insulating film and electrically connected to the semiconductor layer through a contact hole; and

a light-emitting element comprising;

a first electrode electrically connected to the wiring;

a light emitting layer over the first electrode; and

a second electrode over the light emitting layer,

wherein the first electrode transmits light,

wherein the base insulating film has a smaller refraction factor than the substrate and than the gate insulating film,

wherein the first insulating film has a smaller refraction factor than the second insulating film and than the gate insulating film,

wherein each optical thickness of the base insulating film and the first insulating film is substantially equal to the integral multiple of λ

/2, and

wherein a center wavelength of the light emitted from the light-emitting element is λ

.

28. A display device according to claim 27 wherein the display device is comprised in one selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a digital camera, a goggle display, a navigation system, an audio reproducing device, a computer, a game machine, a portable information terminal, and an image reproducing device provided with a recording medium.

29. A display device comprising:

a substrate;

a base insulating film over the substrate;

a thin film transistor including a semiconductor layer over the base insulating film;

an insulating film over the thin film transistor;

a wiring formed over the insulating film and electrically connected to the semiconductor layer through a contact hole; and

a light-emitting element comprising;

a first electrode electrically connected to the wiring;

a light emitting layer over the first electrode; and

a second electrode over the light emitting layer,

wherein the first electrode transmits light,

wherein the base insulating film has a larger refraction factor than the substrate and than the insulating film,

wherein an optical thickness of the base insulating film is substantially equal to the integral multiple of λ

/2, and

wherein a center wavelength of the light emitted from the light-emitting element is λ

.

30. A display device according to claim 29 wherein the display device is comprised in one selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a digital camera, a goggle display, a navigation system, an audio reproducing device, a computer, a game machine, a portable information terminal, and an image reproducing device provided with a recording medium.

31. A display device comprising:

a substrate;

a base insulating film over the substrate;

a thin film transistor including a semiconductor layer over the base insulating film;

an insulating film over the thin film transistor;

a wiring formed over the insulating film and electrically connected to the semiconductor layer through a contact hole; and

a light-emitting element comprising;

a first electrode electrically connected to the wiring;

a light emitting layer over the first electrode; and

a second electrode over the light emitting layer,

wherein the first electrode transmits light,

wherein the base insulating film has a smaller refraction factor than the substrate and than the insulating film,

wherein an optical thickness of the base insulating film is substantially equal to the integral multiple of λ

/2, and

wherein a center wavelength of the light emitted from the light-emitting element is λ

.

32. A display device according to claim 31 wherein the display device is comprised in one selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a digital camera, a goggle display, a navigation system, an audio reproducing device, a computer, a game machine, a portable information terminal, and an image reproducing device provided with a recording medium.

33. A display device comprising:

a substrate;

a base insulating film over the substrate;

a thin film transistor including a semiconductor layer over the base insulating film;

a first insulating film over the thin film transistor;

a second insulating film over the first insulating film;

a wiring formed over the second insulating film and electrically connected to the semiconductor layer through a contact hole; and

a light-emitting element comprising;

a first electrode electrically connected to the wiring;

a light emitting layer over the first electrode; and

a second electrode over the light emitting layer,

wherein the first electrode transmits light,

wherein the first insulating film has a larger refraction factor than the second insulating film and than the base insulating film,

wherein an optical thickness of the first insulating film is substantially equal to the integral multiple of λ

/2, and

wherein a center wavelength of the light emitted from the light-emitting element is λ

.

34. A display device according to claim 33 wherein the display device is comprised in one selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a digital camera, a goggle display, a navigation system, an audio reproducing device, a computer, a game machine, a portable information terminal and an image reproducing device provided with a recording medium.

35. A display device comprising:

a substrate;

a base insulating film over the substrate;

a thin film transistor including a semiconductor layer over the base insulating film;

a first insulating film over the thin film transistor;

a second insulating film over the first insulating film;

a wiring formed over the second insulating film and electrically connected to the semiconductor layer through a contact hole; and

a light-emitting element comprising;

a first electrode electrically connected to the wiring;

a light emitting layer over the first electrode; and

a second electrode over the light emitting layer,

wherein the first electrode transmits light,

wherein the first insulating film has a smaller refraction factor than the second insulating film and than the base insulating film,

wherein an optical thickness of the first insulating film is substantially equal to the integral multiple of λ

/2, and

wherein a center wavelength of the light emitted from the light-emitting element is λ

.

36. A display device according to claim 35 wherein the display device is comprised in one selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a digital camera, a goggle display, a navigation system, an audio reproducing device, a computer, a game machine, a portable information terminal, and an image reproducing device provided with a recording medium.

37. A display device comprising:

a substrate;

a first base insulating film over the substrate;

a second base insulating film over the first base insulating film;

a thin film transistor over the second base insulating film, including;

a semiconductor layer,

a gate insulating film adjacent to the semiconductor layer, and

a gate electrode adjacent to the gate insulating film;

a first insulating film over the thin film transistor;

a second insulating film over the first insulating film;

a wiring formed over the second insulating film and electrically connected to the semiconductor layer through a contact hole; and

a light-emitting element comprising;

a first electrode electrically connected to the wiring;

a light emitting layer over the first electrode; and

a second electrode over the light emitting layer,

wherein the first electrode transmits light,

wherein the second base insulating film, the gate insulating film, and the first insulating film are optically one layer,

wherein the optically one layer has a larger refraction factor than the second insulating film and than the first base insulating film,

wherein an optical thickness of the optically one layer is substantially equal to the integral multiple of λ

/2, and

wherein a center wavelength of the light emitted from the light-emitting element is λ

.

38. A display device according to claim 37 wherein the display device is comprised in one selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a digital camera, a goggle display, a navigation system, an audio reproducing device, a computer, a game machine, a portable information terminal and an image reproducing device provided with a recording medium.

39. A display device comprising:

a substrate;

a first base insulating film over the substrate;

a second base insulating film over the first base insulating film;

a thin film transistor over the second base insulating film, including;

a semiconductor layer,

a gate insulating film adjacent to the semiconductor layer, and

a gate electrode adjacent to the gate insulating film;

a first insulating film over the thin film transistor;

a second insulating film over the first insulating film;

a wiring formed over the second insulating film and electrically connected to the semiconductor layer through a contact hole; and

a light-emitting element comprising;

a first electrode electrically connected to the wiring;

a light emitting layer over the first electrode; and

a second electrode over the light emitting layer,

wherein the first electrode transmits light,

wherein the second base insulating film, the gate insulating film, and the first insulating film are optically one layer,

wherein the optically one layer has a smaller refraction factor than the second insulating film and than the first base insulating film,

wherein an optical thickness of the optically one layer is substantially equal to the integral multiple of λ

/2, and

wherein a center wavelength of the light emitted from the light-emitting element is λ

.

40. A display device according to claim 39 wherein the display device is comprised in one selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a digital camera, a goggle display, a navigation system, an audio reproducing device, a computer, a game machine, a portable information terminal and an image reproducing device provided with a recording medium.

41. A display device comprising:

a substrate;

a first base insulating film over the substrate;

a second base insulating film over the first base insulating film;

a thin film transistor over the second base insulating film, including;

a semiconductor layer,

a gate insulating film adjacent to the semiconductor layer, and

a gate electrode adjacent to the gate insulating film;

a first insulating film over the thin film transistor;

a second insulating film over the first insulating film;

a wiring formed over the second insulating film and electrically connected to the semiconductor layer through a contact hole; and

a light-emitting element comprising;

a first electrode electrically connected to the wiring;

a light emitting layer over the first electrode; and

a second electrode over the light emitting layer,

wherein the first electrode transmits light,

wherein a physical thickness of the first base insulating film is in the range of 120 to 162 nm,

wherein a physical thickness of the second insulating film is in the range of 120 to 162 nm,

wherein the second base insulating film, the gate insulating film, and the first insulating film are optically one layer,

wherein an optical thickness of the optically one layer is substantially equal to the integral multiple of λ

/2, and

wherein a center wavelength of the light emitted from the light-emitting element is λ

.

42. A display device according to claim 41 wherein the display device is comprised in one selected from the group consisting of a video camera, a digital camera, a goggle display, a navigation system, an audio reproducing device, a computer, a game machine, a portable information terminal, and an image reproducing device provided with a recording medium.