Method of making a top-emitting OLED device having improved power distribution

• US 20040253756A1
• Filed: 06/16/2003
• Published: 12/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Global OLED Technology LLC (LG Display Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Cok, Ronald S., Van Slyke, Steven A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,995,035 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 438/22
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 2102/3026 Top emission
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/818 Reflective anodes, e.g. ITO combined with thick metallic layers
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/824 combined with auxiliary electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/828 Transparent cathodes, e.g. comprising thin metal layers
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/12 Active-matrix OLED [AMOLED] displays
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/17 Passive-matrix OLED displays
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/84 Parallel electrical configurations of multiple OLEDs
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 71/00 Manufacture or treatment specially adapted for the organic devices covered by this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 71/841 Applying alternating current [AC] during manufacturing or treatment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 438/94 Laser ablative material removal

Abstract

A method of making a top-emitting OLED device, includes providing over a substrate laterally spaced and optically opaque lower electrodes and upper electrode busses which are electrically insulated from the lower electrodes; depositing an organic EL medium structure over the lower electrodes and the upper electrode busses; selectively removing the organic EL medium structure over at least portions of the upper electrode busses to reveal at least upper surfaces of the upper electrode busses; and depositing a light transmissive upper electrode over the organic EL medium structure so that such upper electrode is in electrical contact with at least upper surfaces of the upper electrode busses.

Claims

1. A method of making a top-emitting OLED device, comprising:

a) providing over a substrate laterally spaced and optically opaque lower electrodes and upper electrode busses which are electrically insulated from the lower electrodes;

b) depositing an organic EL medium structure over the lower electrodes and the upper electrode busses;

c) selectively removing the organic EL medium structure over at least portions of the upper electrode busses to reveal at least upper surfaces of the upper electrode busses; and

d) depositing a light transmissive upper electrode over the organic EL medium structure so that such upper electrode is in electrical contact with at least upper surfaces of the upper electrode busses.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein element a) includes providing the lower electrodes and concurrently forming the upper electrode busses.

3. The method of claim 1 further including making a top-emitting passive matrix OLED device, a top-emitting active-matrix OLED device, or a polymer OLED device (either active- or passive-matrix).

4. The method of claim 1 further including providing electrically insulating material between each one of the upper electrode busses and adjacent lower electrodes.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein element c) includes removing the organic EL medium structure by selectively ablating such EL medium structure.

6. The method of claim 5 further including:

i) providing a linear array of laser light beams directed towards the upper electrode busses; and

ii) providing relative motion between the laser light beams and the substrate having the upper electrode busses formed thereover.

7. The method of claim 5 further including:

i) providing a source of uniform radiation directed towards the organic EL medium structure; and

ii) providing a mask between the source and the structure and having openings oriented with respect to the upper electrode busses.

8. The method of claim 5 further including directing one or more laser light beams towards the organic EL medium structure in registration with the upper electrode busses.

9. The method of claim 3 further including providing an electrical connection to each one of the lower electrodes in making a top-emitting passive matrix OLED device or in making a top-emitting active matrix OLED display device.

10. The method of claim 3 further including providing a common electrical connection to all of the lower electrodes in making a top-emitting OLED device.

11. A top-emitting OLED device made in accordance with the method of claim 1.