Organic light emitting device provided with drying agent at side surfaces of a sealing member

• US 7,633,223 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2004
• Issued: 12/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Yamazaki, Shunpei
• Primary Examiner(s): Santiago; Mariceli
• Application Number:
  US11/003,381
• Publication Number:
  US 20050093436A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,835 Days
• Field of Search: 313500-512
• US Class Current: 313/512
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/1248 with a particular composition or shape of the interlayer dielectric specially adapted to the circuit arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/826 Multilayers, e.g. opaque multilayers
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/844 Encapsulations
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/122 Pixel-defining structures or layers, e.g. banks
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/124 Insulating layers formed between TFT elements and OLED elements
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/873 Encapsulations

Abstract

In an active matrix drive light emitting device, above a thin film transistor, a light emitting element having an anode, a layer comprised of an organic compound and a cathode containing an alkali metal is formed between a third insulating layer comprised of silicon nitride or silicon oxynitride and a fourth insulating layer containing carbon as its main constituent. The light emitting element is formed between partition layers that are formed of an insulating material and have an inverse tapered shape.

Claims

1. A camera comprising:

a display portion, the display portion comprising;

a thin film transistor formed over a substrate;

at least one first insulating film formed over the thin film transistor;

a light emitting element formed over the first insulating film, the light emitting element comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light emitting layer formed between the first and second electrodes;

partition layers formed over the first insulating film;

a second insulating film covering at least upper and side surfaces of the partition layers, upper and side surfaces of the second electrode, and a side surface of the light emitting layer;

a sealing member in contact with a top surface of the second insulating film; and

a drying agent in contact with a side surface of the sealing member,

wherein the partition layers have an inverse tapered shape, and

wherein the light emitting element is formed between partition layers.

2. A camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera is a video camera.

3. A camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera is a digital camera.

4. A camera according to claim 1, wherein the partition layers cover are in contact with a part of an upper surface of the first electrode and side surfaces of the first electrode.

5. A camera according to claim 1, wherein the second insulating film includes silicon nitride or diamond-like carbon.

6. A computer comprising:

a display portion, the display portion comprising;

a thin film transistor formed over a substrate;

at least one first insulating film formed over the thin film transistor;

a light emitting element formed over the first insulating film, the light emitting element comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light emitting layer formed between the first and second electrodes;

partition layers formed over the first insulating film;

a second insulating film covering at least upper and side surfaces of the partition layers, upper and side surfaces of the second electrode, and a side surface of the light emitting layer;

a sealing member in contact with a top surface of the second insulating film; and

a drying agent in contact with a side surface of the sealing member,

wherein the partition layers have an inverse tapered shape, and

wherein the light emitting element is formed between partition layers.

7. A computer according to claim 6, wherein the partition layers cover are in contact with a part of an upper surface of the first electrode and side surfaces of the first electrode.

8. A computer according to claim 6, wherein the second insulating film includes silicon nitride or diamond-like carbon.

9. A personal digital assistant comprising:

a display portion, the display portion comprising;

a thin film transistor formed over a substrate;

at least one first insulating film formed over the thin film transistor;

a light emitting element formed over the first insulating film, the light emitting element comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light emitting layer formed between the first and second electrodes;

partition layers formed over the first insulating film;

a second insulating film covering at least upper and side surfaces of the partition layers, upper and side surfaces of the second electrode, and a side surface of the light emitting layer;

a sealing member in contact with a top surface of the second insulating film; and

a drying agent in contact with a side surface of the sealing member,

wherein the partition layers have an inverse tapered shape, and

wherein the light emitting element is formed between partition layers.

10. A personal digital assistant according to claim 9, wherein the partition layers cover are in contact with a part of an upper surface of the first electrode and side surfaces of the first electrode.

11. A personal digital assistant according to claim 9, wherein the second insulating film includes silicon nitride or diamond-like carbon.

12. A portable telephone comprising:

a display portion, the display portion comprising;

a thin film transistor formed over a substrate;

at least one first insulating film formed over the thin film transistor;

a light emitting element formed over the first insulating film, the light emitting element comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light emitting layer formed between the first and second electrodes;

partition layers formed over the first insulating film;

a second insulating film covering at least upper and side surfaces of the partition layers, upper and side surfaces of the second electrode, and a side surface of the light emitting layer;

a sealing member in contact with a top surface of the second insulating film; and

a drying agent in contact with a side surface of the sealing member,

wherein the partition layers have an inverse tapered shape, and

wherein the light emitting element is formed between partition layers.

13. A portable telephone according to claim 12, wherein the partition layers cover are in contact with a part of an upper surface of the first electrode and side surfaces of the first electrode.

14. A portable telephone according to claim 12, wherein the second insulating film includes silicon nitride or diamond-like carbon.

15. A camera comprising:

a display portion, the display portion comprising;

a thin film transistor formed over a substrate;

at least one first insulating film formed over the thin film transistor;

a light emitting element formed over the first insulating film, the light emitting element comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light emitting layer formed between the first and second electrodes;

partition layers formed over the first insulating film;

a second insulating film covering at least upper and side surfaces of the partition layers, upper and side surfaces of the second electrode, and a side surface of the light emitting layer;

a sealing member in contact with a top surface of the second insulating film; and

a drying agent in contact with a side surface of the sealing member,

wherein the light emitting element is formed between partition layers, and

wherein the partition layers have a shape in which an upper portion protrudes in a direction parallel to a substrate.

16. A camera according to claim 15, wherein the camera is a video camera.

17. A camera according to claim 15, wherein the camera is a digital camera.

18. A camera according to claim 15, wherein the partition layers cover are in contact with a part of an upper surface of the first electrode and side surfaces of the first electrode.

19. A camera according to claim 15, wherein the second insulating film includes silicon nitride or diamond-like carbon.

20. A computer comprising:

a display portion, the display portion comprising;

a thin film transistor formed over a substrate;

at least one first insulating film formed over the thin film transistor;

a light emitting element formed over the first insulating film, the light emitting element comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light emitting layer formed between the first and second electrodes;

partition layers formed over the first insulating film;

a second insulating film covering at least upper and side surfaces of the partition layers, upper and side surfaces of the second electrode, and a side surface of the light emitting layer;

a sealing member in contact with a top surface of the second insulating film; and

a drying agent in contact with a side surface of the sealing member,

wherein the light emitting element is formed between partition layers, and

wherein the partition layers have a shape in which an upper portion protrudes in a direction parallel to a substrate.

21. A computer according to claim 20, wherein the partition layers cover are in contact with a part of an upper surface of the first electrode and side surfaces of the first electrode.

22. A computer according to claim 20, wherein the second insulating film includes silicon nitride or diamond-like carbon.

23. A personal digital assistant comprising:

a display portion, the display portion comprising;

a thin film transistor formed over a substrate;

at least one first insulating film formed over the thin film transistor;

a light emitting element formed over the first insulating film, the light emitting element comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light emitting layer formed between the first and second electrodes;

partition layers formed over the first insulating film;

a second insulating film covering at least upper and side surfaces of the partition layers, upper and side surfaces of the second electrode, and a side surface of the light emitting layer;

a sealing member in contact with a top surface of the second insulating film; and

a drying agent in contact with a side surface of the sealing member,

wherein the light emitting element is formed between partition layers, and

wherein the partition layers have a shape in which an upper portion protrudes in a direction parallel to a substrate.

24. A personal digital assistant according to claim 23, wherein the partition layers cover are in contact with a part of an upper surface of the first electrode and side surfaces of the first electrode.

25. A personal digital assistant according to claim 23, wherein the second insulating film includes silicon nitride or diamond-like carbon.

26. A portable telephone comprising:

a display portion, the display portion comprising;

a thin film transistor formed over a substrate;

at least one first insulating film formed over the thin film transistor;

a light emitting element formed over the first insulating film, the light emitting element comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light emitting layer formed between the first and second electrodes;

partition layers formed over the first insulating film;

a second insulating film covering at least upper and side surfaces of the partition layers, upper and side surfaces of the second electrode, and a side surface of the light emitting layer;

a sealing member in contact with a top surface of the second insulating film; and

a drying agent in contact with a side surface of the sealing member,

wherein the light emitting element is formed between partition layers, and

wherein the partition layers have a shape in which an upper portion protrudes in a direction parallel to a substrate.

27. A portable telephone according to claim 26, wherein the partition layers cover are in contact with a part of an upper surface of the first electrode and side surfaces of the first electrode.

28. A portable telephone according to claim 26, wherein the second insulating film includes silicon nitride or diamond-like carbon.

29. A camera comprising:

a display portion, the display portion comprising;

a thin film transistor formed over a substrate;

at least one first insulating film formed over the thin film transistor;

a light emitting element formed over the first insulating film, the light emitting element comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light emitting layer formed between the first and second electrodes;

partition layers formed over the first insulating film;

a second insulating film covering at least upper and side surfaces of the partition layers, upper and side surfaces of the second electrode, and a side surface of the light emitting layer;

a sealing member in contact with a top surface of the second insulating film; and

a drying agent in contact with a side surface of the sealing member,

wherein the light emitting element is formed between partition layers, and

wherein the light emitting layer and the second electrode are provided without contacting the partition layers.

30. A camera according to claim 29, wherein the camera is a video camera.

31. A camera according to claim 29, wherein the camera is a digital camera.

32. A camera according to claim 29, wherein the partition layers cover are in contact with a part of an upper surface of the first electrode and side surfaces of the first electrode.

33. A camera according to claim 29, wherein the second insulating film includes silicon nitride or diamond-like carbon.

34. A computer comprising:

a display portion, the display portion comprising;

a thin film transistor formed over a substrate;

at least one first insulating film formed over the thin film transistor;

a light emitting element formed over the first insulating film, the light emitting element comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light emitting layer formed between the first and second electrodes;

partition layers formed over the first insulating film;

a second insulating film covering at least upper and side surfaces of the partition layers, upper and side surfaces of the second electrode, and a side surface of the light emitting layer;

a sealing member in contact with a top surface of the second insulating film; and

a drying agent in contact with a side surface of the sealing member,

wherein the light emitting element is formed between partition layers, and

wherein the light emitting layer and the second electrode are provided without contacting the partition layers.

35. A computer according to claim 34, wherein the partition layers cover are in contact with a part of an upper surface of the first electrode and side surfaces of the first electrode.

36. A computer according to claim 34, wherein the second insulating film includes silicon nitride or diamond-like carbon.

37. A personal digital assistant comprising:

a display portion, the display portion comprising;

a thin film transistor formed over a substrate;

at least one first insulating film formed over the thin film transistor;

a light emitting element formed over the first insulating film, the light emitting element comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light emitting layer formed between the first and second electrodes;

partition layers formed over the first insulating film;

a second insulating film covering at least upper and side surfaces of the partition layers, upper and side surfaces of the second electrode, and a side surface of the light emitting layer;

a sealing member in contact with a top surface of the second insulating film; and

a drying agent in contact with a side surface of the sealing member,

wherein the light emitting element is formed between partition layers, and

wherein the light emitting layer and the second electrode are provided without contacting the partition layers.

38. A personal digital assistant according to claim 37, wherein the partition layers cover are in contact with a part of an upper surface of the first electrode and side surfaces of the first electrode.

39. A personal digital assistant according to claim 37, wherein the second insulating film includes silicon nitride or diamond-like carbon.

40. A portable telephone comprising:

a display portion, the display portion comprising;

a thin film transistor formed over a substrate;

at least one first insulating film formed over the thin film transistor;

a light emitting element formed over the first insulating film, the light emitting element comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light emitting layer formed between the first and second electrodes;

partition layers formed over the first insulating film;

a second insulating film covering at least upper and side surfaces of the partition layers, upper and side surfaces of the second electrode, and a side surface of the light emitting layer;

a sealing member in contact with a top surface of the second insulating film; and

a drying agent in contact with a side surface of the sealing member,

wherein the light emitting element is formed between partition layers, and

wherein the light emitting layer and the second electrode are provided without contacting the partition layers.

41. A portable telephone according to claim 40, wherein the partition layers cover are in contact with a part of an upper surface of the first electrode and side surfaces of the first electrode.

42. A portable telephone according to claim 40, wherein the second insulating film includes silicon nitride or diamond-like carbon.

43. A camera comprising:

a display portion, the display portion comprising;

a plurality of thin film transistors formed over a substrate;

at least one first insulating film formed over the plurality of thin film transistors;

a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a matrix over the first insulating film wherein the plurality of thin film transistors are electrically connected to the plurality of light emitting elements, each of the light emitting elements comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light emitting layer formed between the first and second electrodes;

a plurality of partition layers formed over the first insulating film and extending in parallel;

a second insulating film covering at least upper and side surfaces of the plurality of partition layers, upper and side surfaces of the second electrode, and a side surface of the light emitting layer;

a sealing member in contact with a top surface of the second insulating film; and

a drying agent in contact with a side surface of the sealing member,

wherein the partition layers have an inverse tapered shape, and

wherein the light emitting elements arranged in a same row or a same column of the matrix are disposed between and along adjacent ones of the plurality of partition layers.

44. A camera according to claim 43, wherein the camera is a video camera.

45. A camera according to claim 43, wherein the camera is a digital camera.

46. A camera according to claim 43, wherein the plurality of partition layers cover are in contact with a part of an upper surface of the first electrode and side surfaces of the first electrode.

47. A camera according to claim 43, wherein the second insulating film includes silicon nitride or diamond-like carbon.

48. A computer comprising:

a display portion, the display portion comprising;

a plurality of thin film transistors formed over a substrate;

at least one first insulating film formed over the plurality of thin film transistors;

a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a matrix over the first insulating film wherein the plurality of thin film transistors are electrically connected to the plurality of light emitting elements, each of the light emitting elements comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light emitting layer formed between the first and second electrodes;

a plurality of partition layers formed over the first insulating film and extending in parallel;

a second insulating film covering at least upper and side surfaces of the plurality of partition layers, upper and side surfaces of the second electrode, and a side surface of the light emitting layer;

a sealing member in contact with a top surface of the second insulating film; and

a drying agent in contact with a side surface of the sealing member,

wherein the partition layers have an inverse tapered shape, and

wherein the light emitting elements arranged in a same row or a same column of the matrix are disposed between and along adjacent ones of the plurality of partition layers.

49. A computer according to claim 48, wherein the plurality of partition layers cover are in contact with a part of an upper surface of the first electrode and side surfaces of the first electrode.

50. A computer according to claim 48, wherein the second insulating film includes silicon nitride or diamond-like carbon.

51. A personal digital assistant comprising:

a display portion, the display portion comprising;

a plurality of thin film transistors formed over a substrate;

at least one first insulating film formed over the plurality of thin film transistors;

a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a matrix over the first insulating film wherein the plurality of thin film transistors are electrically connected to the plurality of light emitting elements, each of the light emitting elements comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light emitting layer formed between the first and second electrodes;

a plurality of partition layers formed over the first insulating film and extending in parallel;

a second insulating film covering at least upper and side surfaces of the plurality of partition layers, upper and side surfaces of the second electrode, and a side surface of the light emitting layer;

a sealing member in contact with a top surface of the second insulating film; and

a drying agent in contact with a side surface of the sealing member,

wherein the partition layers have an inverse tapered shape, and

wherein the light emitting elements arranged in a same row or a same column of the matrix are disposed between and along adjacent ones of the plurality of partition layers.

52. A personal digital assistant according to claim 51, wherein the plurality of partition layers cover are in contact with a part of an upper surface of the first electrode and side surfaces of the first electrode.

53. A personal digital assistant according to claim 51, wherein the second insulating film includes silicon nitride or diamond-like carbon.

54. A portable telephone comprising:

a display portion, the display portion comprising;

a plurality of thin film transistors formed over a substrate;

at least one first insulating film formed over the plurality of thin film transistors;

a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a matrix over the first insulating film wherein the plurality of thin film transistors are electrically connected to the plurality of light emitting elements, each of the light emitting elements comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light emitting layer formed between the first and second electrodes;

a plurality of partition layers formed over the first insulating film and extending in parallel;

a second insulating film covering at least upper and side surfaces of the plurality of partition layers, upper and side surfaces of the second electrode, and a side surface of the light emitting layer;

a sealing member in contact with a top surface of the second insulating film; and

a drying agent in contact with a side surface of the sealing member,

wherein the partition layers have an inverse tapered shape, and

wherein the light emitting elements arranged in a same row or a same column of the matrix are disposed between and along adjacent ones of the plurality of partition layers.

55. A portable telephone according to claim 54, wherein the plurality of partition layers cover are in contact with a part of an upper surface of the first electrode and side surfaces of the first electrode.

56. A portable telephone according to claim 54, wherein the second insulating film includes silicon nitride or diamond-like carbon.

57. A camera comprising:

a display portion, the display portion comprising;

a thin film transistor formed over a substrate;

at least one first insulating film formed over the thin film transistor;

a light emitting element formed over the first insulating film, the light emitting element comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light emitting layer formed between the first and second electrodes;

at least first and second partition layers formed over the first insulating film wherein the light emitting element is disposed between the first and second partition layers;

a second insulating film covering at least upper and side surfaces of the first and second partition layers, upper and side surfaces of the second electrode, and a side surface of the light emitting layer;

a sealing member in contact with a top surface of the second insulating film; and

a drying agent in contact with a side surface of the sealing member,

wherein a distance between opposed edges of the first and second partition layers at a top portion of the first and second partition layers is smaller than a distance between opposed edges of the first and second partition layers at a bottom portion of the first and second partition layers.

58. A camera according to claim 57, wherein the camera is a video camera.

59. A camera according to claim 57, wherein the camera is a digital camera.

60. A camera according to claim 57, wherein the first and second partition layers cover are in contact with a part of an upper surface of the first electrode and side surfaces of the first electrode.

61. A camera according to claim 57, wherein the second insulating film includes silicon nitride or diamond-like carbon.

62. A computer comprising:

a display portion, the display portion comprising;

a thin film transistor formed over a substrate;

at least one first insulating film formed over the thin film transistor;

a light emitting element formed over the first insulating film, the light emitting element comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light emitting layer formed between the first and second electrodes;

at least first and second partition layers formed over the first insulating film wherein the light emitting element is disposed between the first and second partition layers;

a second insulating film covering at least upper and side surfaces of the first and second partition layers, upper and side surfaces of the second electrode, and a side surface of the light emitting layer;

a sealing member in contact with a top surface of the second insulating film; and

a drying agent in contact with a side surface of the sealing member,

wherein a distance between opposed edges of the first and second partition layers at a top portion of the first and second partition layers is smaller than a distance between opposed edges of the first and second partition layers at a bottom portion of the first and second partition layers.

63. A computer according to claim 62, wherein the first and second partition layers cover are in contact with a part of an upper surface of the first electrode and side surfaces of the first electrode.

64. A computer according to claim 62, wherein the second insulating film includes silicon nitride or diamond-like carbon.

65. A personal digital assistant comprising:

a display portion, the display portion comprising;

a thin film transistor formed over a substrate;

at least one first insulating film formed over the thin film transistor;

a light emitting element formed over the first insulating film, the light emitting element comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light emitting layer formed between the first and second electrodes;

at least first and second partition layers formed over the first insulating film wherein the light emitting element is disposed between the first and second partition layers;

a second insulating film covering at least upper and side surfaces of the first and second partition layers, upper and side surfaces of the second electrode, and a side surface of the light emitting layer;

a sealing member in contact with a top surface of the second insulating film; and

a drying agent in contact with a side surface of the sealing member,

wherein a distance between opposed edges of the first and second partition layers at a top portion of the first and second partition layers is smaller than a distance between opposed edges of the first and second partition layers at a bottom portion of the first and second partition layers.

66. A personal digital assistant according to claim 65, wherein the first and second partition layers cover are in contact with a part of an upper surface of the first electrode and side surfaces of the first electrode.

67. A personal digital assistant according to claim 65, wherein the second insulating film includes silicon nitride or diamond-like carbon.

68. A portable telephone comprising:

a display portion, the display portion comprising;

a thin film transistor formed over a substrate;

at least one first insulating film formed over the thin film transistor;

a light emitting element formed over the first insulating film, the light emitting element comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light emitting layer formed between the first and second electrodes;

at least first and second partition layers formed over the first insulating film wherein the light emitting element is disposed between the first and second partition layers;

a second insulating film covering at least upper and side surfaces of the first and second partition layers, upper and side surfaces of the second electrode, and a side surface of the light emitting layer;

a sealing member in contact with a top surface of the second insulating film; and

a drying agent in contact with a side surface of the sealing member,

wherein a distance between opposed edges of the first and second partition layers at a top portion of the first and second partition layers is smaller than a distance between opposed edges of the first and second partition layers at a bottom portion of the first and second partition layers.

69. A portable telephone according to claim 68, wherein the first and second partition layers cover are in contact with a part of an upper surface of the first electrode and side surfaces of the first electrode.

70. A portable telephone according to claim 68, wherein the second insulating film includes silicon nitride or diamond-like carbon.