Luminance enhancement of top-emitting blue organic light emitting diodes encapsulated with silicon nitride thin films by a double-layer nano-structure.

Even though it is in high demand to introduce a nano-structure (NS) light extraction technology on a silicon nitride to be used as a thin film encapsulation material for an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), only an industry-incompatible wet method has been reported. This work demonstrates a double-layer NS fabrication on the silicon nitride using a two-step organic vapor phase deposition (OVPD) of an industry-compatible dry process. The NS showed a wrinkle-like shape caused by coalescence of the nano-lenses. The NS integrated top-emitting OLED revealed 40 percent enhancement of current efficiency and improvement of the luminance distribution and color change according to viewing angle.

Color gamut change by optical crosstalk in high-resolution organic light-emitting diode microdisplays.

Herein, the color gamut change by optical crosstalk between sub-pixels in high-resolution full-color organic light-emitting diode (OLED) microdisplays was numerically investigated. The color gamut of the OLED microdisplay decreased dramatically as the pixel density of the panel increased from 100 pixels per inch (PPI) to 3000 PPI. In addition, the increase in thickness of the passivation layer between the bottom electrode and the top color filter results in a decrease in the color gamut. We also calculated the color gamut change depending on the pixel structures in the practical OLED microdisplay panel, which had an aspect ratio of 32:9 and a pixel density of 2,490 PPI. The fence angle and height, refractive index of the passivation layer, black matrix width, and white OLED device structure affect the color gamut of the OLED microdisplay panel because of the optical crosstalk effect.

Identification of a multi-stack structure of graphene electrodes doped layer-by-layer with benzimidazole and its implication for the design of optoelectronic devices.

Optical properties of benzimidazole (BI)-doped layer-by-layer graphene differ significantly from those of intrinsic graphene. Our study based on transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy depth profiling reveals that such a difference stems from its peculiar stratified geometry formed in situ during the doping process. This work presents an effective thickness and optical constants that can treat these multi-stacked BI-doped graphene electrodes as a single equivalent medium. For verification, the efficiency and angular emission spectra of organic light-emitting diodes with the BI-doped graphene electrode are modeled with the proposed method, and we demonstrate that the calculation matches experimental results in a much narrower margin than that based on the optical properties of undoped graphene.

Overcoming the efficiency limit of organic light-emitting diodes using ultra-thin and transparent graphene electrodes.

We propose an effective way to enhance the out-coupling efficiencies of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) using graphene as a transparent electrode. In this study, we investigated the detrimental adsorption and internal optics occurring in OLEDs with graphene anodes. The optical out-coupling efficiencies of previous OLEDs with transparent graphene electrodes barely exceeded those of OLEDs with conventional transparent electrodes because of the weak microcavity effect. To overcome this issue, we introduced an internal random scattering layer for light extraction and reduced the optical absorption of the graphene by reducing the number of layers in the multilayered graphene film. The efficiencies of the graphene-OLEDs increased significantly with decreasing the number of graphene layers, strongly indicating absorption reduction. The maximum light extraction efficiency was obtained by using a single-layer graphene electrode together with a scattering layer. As a result, a widened angular luminance distribution with a remarkable external quantum efficiency and a luminous efficacy enhancement of 52.8% and 48.5%, respectively, was achieved. Our approach provides a demonstration of graphene-OLED having a performance comparable to that of conventional OLEDs.

Stable angular emission spectra in white organic light-emitting diodes using graphene/PEDOT:PSS composite electrode.

In this work, we suggest a graphene/ poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) composite as a transparent electrode for stabilizing white emission of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Graphene/PEDOT:PSS composite electrodes have increased reflectance when compared to graphene itself, but their reflectance is still lower than that of ITO itself. Changes in the reflectance of the composite electrode have the advantage of suppressing the angular spectral distortion of white emission OLEDs and achieving an efficiency of 16.6% for white OLEDs, comparable to that achieved by graphene-only electrodes. By controlling the OLED structure to compensate for the two-beam interference effect, the CIE color coordinate change (Δxy) of OLEDs based on graphene/PEDOT:PSS composite electrodes is 0.018, less than that based on graphene-only electrode, i.e.,0.027.

Area-selective external light extraction for metal bus equipped large area transparent organic light-emitting diodes.

Area-selective external light extraction films based on wrinkle structured films were applied to large transparent organic light-emitting diodes (TOLEDs) with auxiliary metal buses. To be specific, on the external surface of the glass, we selectively formed a wrinkle structured film, which was aligned to the auxiliary metal electrodes. The wrinkle-structured film was patterned using a photo-mask and UV curing, which has the same shape of the auxiliary metal electrodes. With this area-selective film, it was possible to enhance the external quantum efficiencies of the bottom and top emissions TOLEDs by 15.7% and 15.1%, respectively, without significant loss in transmittance. Widened angular luminance distributions were also achieved in both emissions directions.

Flexible and transparent gas molecule sensor integrated with sensing and heating graphene layers.

Graphene leading to high surface-to-volume ratio and outstanding conductivity is applied for gas molecule sensing with fully utilizing its unique transparent and flexible functionalities which cannot be expected from solid-state gas sensors. In order to attain a fast response and rapid recovering time, the flexible sensors also require integrated flexible and transparent heaters. Here, large-scale flexible and transparent gas molecule sensor devices, integrated with a graphene sensing channel and a graphene transparent heater for fast recovering operation, are demonstrated. This combined all-graphene device structure enables an overall device optical transmittance that exceeds 90% and reliable sensing performance with a bending strain of less than 1.4%. In particular, it is possible to classify the fast (≈14 s) and slow (≈95 s) response due to sp(2) -carbon bonding and disorders on graphene and the self-integrated graphene heater leads to the rapid recovery (≈11 s) of a 2 cm × 2 cm sized sensor with reproducible sensing cycles, including full recovery steps without significant signal degradation under exposure to NO2 gas.

FDTD analysis of the light extraction efficiency of OLEDs with a random scattering layer.

The light extraction efficiency of OLEDs with a nano-sized random scattering layer (RSL-OLEDs) was analyzed using the Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method. In contrast to periodic diffraction patterns, the presence of an RSL suppresses the spectral shift with respect to the viewing angle. For FDTD simulation of RSL-OLEDs, a planar light source with a certain spatial and temporal coherence was incorporated, and the light extraction efficiency with respect to the fill factor of the RSL and the absorption coefficient of the material was investigated. The design results were compared to the experimental results of the RSL-OLEDs in order to confirm the usefulness of FDTD in predicting experimental results. According to our FDTD simulations, the light confined within the ITO-organic waveguide was quickly absorbed, and the absorption coefficients of ITO and RSL materials should be reduced in order to obtain significant improvement in the external quantum efficiency (EQE). When the extinction coefficient of ITO was 0.01, the EQE in the RSL-OLED was simulated to be enhanced by a factor of 1.8.

Light diffusing effects of nano and micro-structures on OLED with microcavity.

We examined the light diffusing effects of nano and micro-structures on microcavity designed OLEDs. The results of FDTD simulations and experiments showed that the pillar shaped nano-structure was more effective than the concave micro-structure for light diffusing of microcavity OLEDs. The sharp luminance distribution of the microcavity OLED was changed to near Lambertian luminance distribution by the nano-structure, and light diffusing effects increased with the height of the nano-structure. Furthermore, the nano-structure has advantages including light extraction of the substrate mode, reproducibility of manufacturing process, and minimizing pixel blur problems in an OLED display panel. The nano-structure is a promising candidate for a light diffuser, resolving the viewing angle problems in microcavity OLEDs.

Random nanostructure scattering layer for suppression of microcavity effect and light extraction in OLEDs.

In this study, we investigated the effect of a random nanostructure scattering layer (RSL) on the microcavity and light extraction in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). In the case of the conventional OLED, the optical properties change with the thickness of the hole transporting layer (HTL) because of the presence of a microcavity. However, OLEDs equipped with the an RSL showed similar values of external quantum efficiency and luminous efficacy regardless of the HTL thickness. These phenomena can be understood by the scattering effect because of the RSL, which suppresses the microcavity effect and extracts the light confined in the device. Moreover, OLEDs with the RSL led to reduced spectrum and color changes with the viewing angle.

Investigating the electrical crosstalk effect between pixels in high-resolution organic light-emitting diode microdisplays.

Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) microdisplays have received great attention owing to their excellent performance for augmented reality/virtual reality devices applications. However, high pixel density of OLED microdisplay causes electrical crosstalk, resulting in color distortion. This study investigated the current crosstalk ratio and changes in the color gamut caused by electrical crosstalk between sub-pixels in high-resolution full-color OLED microdisplays. A pixel structure of 3147 pixels per inch (PPI) with four sub-pixels and a single-stack white OLED with red, green, and blue color filters were used for the electrical crosstalk simulation. The results showed that the sheet resistance of the top and bottom electrodes of OLEDs rarely affected the electrical crosstalk. However, the current crosstalk ratio increased dramatically and the color gamut decreased as the sheet resistance of the common organic layer decreased. Furthermore, the color gamut of the OLED microdisplay decreased as the pixel density of the panel increased from 200 to 5000 PPI. Additionally, we fabricated a sub-pixel circuit to measure the electrical crosstalk current using a 3147 PPI scale multi-finger-type pixel structure and compared it with the simulation result.

Light extraction from organic light emitting diodes using chemically etched glass substrates.

We have manufactured highly efficient OLED devices fabricated on chemically etched glass substrates. The external quantum efficiency of the OLED devices with the etched glass substrates was increased by 5-27% in comparison with the reference flat glass substrate. Surface morphology, such as indented patterns, significantly affected the external luminance efficiency. A clean surface and the presence of smooth bent edges of indented patterns were found to be important for improving the external luminous efficacy.

Direct patterning of colloidal quantum dots with adaptable dual-ligand surface.

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) stand at the forefront of a variety of photonic applications given their narrow spectral bandwidth and near-unity luminescence efficiency. However, integrating luminescent QD films into photonic devices without compromising their optical or transport characteristics remains challenging. Here we devise a dual-ligand passivation system comprising photocrosslinkable ligands and dispersing ligands to enable QDs to be universally compatible with solution-based patterning techniques. The successful control over the structure of both ligands allows the direct patterning of dual-ligand QDs on various substrates using commercialized photolithography (i-line) or inkjet printing systems at a resolution up to 15,000 pixels per inch without compromising the optical properties of the QDs or the optoelectronic performance of the device. We demonstrate the capabilities of our approach for QD-LED applications. Our approach offers a versatile way of creating various structures of luminescent QDs in a cost-effective and non-destructive manner, and could be implemented in nearly all commercial photonics applications where QDs are used.

Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Thin-Film Encapsulation Using Inkjet Printing and PEALD for Industrial Large-Area Process Suitability and Flexible OLED Application.

We present herein the first report of organic/inorganic hybrid thin-film encapsulation (TFE) developed as an encapsulation process for mass production in the display industry. The proposed method was applied to fabricate a top-emitting organic light-emitting device (TEOLED). The organic/inorganic hybrid TFE has a 1.5 dyad structure and was fabricated using plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) and inkjet printing (IJP) processes that can be applied to mass production operations in the industry. Currently, industries use inorganic thin films such as SiNx and SiOxNy fabricated through plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), which results in film thickness >1 µm; however, in the present work, an Al2O3 inorganic thin film with a thickness of 30 nm was successfully fabricated using ALD. Furthermore, to decouple the crack propagation between the adjacent Al2O3 thin films, an acrylate-based polymer layer was printed between these layers using IJP to finally obtain the 1.5 dyad hybrid TFE. The proposed method can be applied to optoelectronic devices with various form factors such as rollables and stretchable displays. The hybrid TFE developed in this study has a transmittance of 95% or more in the entire visible light region and a very low surface roughness of less than 1 nm. In addition, the measurement of water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) using commercial MOCON equipment yielded a value of 5 × 10-5 gm-2 day-1 (37.8 °C and 100% RH) or less, approaching the limit of the measuring equipment. The TFE was applied to TEOLEDs and the improvement in optical properties of the device was demonstrated. The OLED panel was manufactured and operated stably, showing excellent consistency even in the actual display manufacturing process. The panel operated normally even after 363 days in air. The proposed organic/inorganic hybrid encapsulant manufacturing process is applicable to the display industry and this study provides basic guidelines that can serve as a foothold for the development of various technologies in academia and industry alike.

Effect of electromagnetic shielding on electron beam-cured multi-walled carbon nanotubes/epoxy composites.

In this study, the electromagnetic interference shielding properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/epoxy composites were investigated in the frequency region from 1 approximately 8 GHz (L, S and C bands). Electromagnetic shielding samples were fabricated using an electron beam. The electromagnetic shielding properties of these absorber specimens were measured by a network analyzer (Agilent, 4901A), and their fracture behavior was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the saturation conductance depends on the fraction of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes in the composite, which affects the initial permittivity. These results show that the dielectric loss is a dominant factor in the L, S, and C bands, and the resonance frequency of the composite increased with the increasing fraction of multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Finally, the reflection loss was calculated from the permeability and permittivity of these composites. Composite with 10 wt% multi-walled carbon nanotubes and 1.5 mm thickness showed a reflection loss below -20 dB in the L, S, and C bands. Therefore, it is believed that thin multi-walled carbon nanotubes/epoxy composites may be good candidates for microwave absorption applications.

Thin-film transistor-driven vertically stacked full-color organic light-emitting diodes for high-resolution active-matrix displays.

Thin-film transistor (TFT)-driven full-color organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with vertically stacked structures are developed herein using photolithography processes, which allow for high-resolution displays of over 2,000 pixels per inch. Vertical stacking of OLEDs by the photolithography process is technically challenging, as OLEDs are vulnerable to moisture, oxygen, solutions for photolithography processes, and temperatures over 100 °C. In this study, we develop a low-temperature processed Al2O3/SiNx bilayered protection layer, which stably protects the OLEDs from photolithography process solutions, as well as from moisture and oxygen. As a result, transparent intermediate electrodes are patterned on top of the OLED elements without degrading the OLED, thereby enabling to fabricate the vertically stacked OLED. The aperture ratio of the full-color-driven OLED pixel is approximately twice as large as conventional sub-pixel structures, due to geometric advantage, despite the TFT integration. To the best of our knowledge, we first demonstrate the TFT-driven vertically stacked full-color OLED.

Mechanistic Understanding of Improved Performance of Graphene Cathode Inverted Organic Light-Emitting Diodes by Photoemission and Impedance Spectroscopy.

Modification of multilayer graphene films was investigated for a cathode of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). By doping the graphene/electron transport layer (ETL) interface with Li, the driving voltage of the OLED was reduced dramatically from 24.5 to 3.2 V at a luminance of 1000 cd/m2. The external quantum efficiency was also enhanced from 3.4 to 12.9%. Surface analyses showed that the Li doping significantly lowers the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital level of the ETL, thereby reducing the electron injection barrier and facilitating electron injection from the cathode. Impedance spectroscopy analyses performed on electron-only devices (EODs) revealed the existence of distributed trap states with a well-defined activation energy, which is successfully described by the Havriliak-Negami capacitance functions and the temperature-independent frequency dispersion parameters. In particular, the graphene EOD showed a unique high-frequency feature as compared to the indium tin oxide one, which could be explained by an additional parallel capacitance element.

Facile fabrication of properties-controllable graphene sheet.

Graphene has been received a considerable amount of attention as a transparent conducting electrode (TCE) which may be able to replace indium tin oxide (ITO) to overcome the significant weakness of the poor flexibility of ITO. Given that graphene is the thinnest 2-dimensional (2D) material known, it shows extremely high flexibility, and its lateral periodic honeycomb structure of sp(2)-bonded carbon atoms enables ~2.3% of incident light absorption per layer. However, there is a trade-off between the electrical resistance and the optical transmittance, and the fixed absorption rate in graphene limits is use when fabricating devices. Therefore, a more efficient method which continuously controls the optical and electrical properties of graphene is needed. Here, we introduce a method which controls the optical transmittance and the electrical resistance of graphene through various thicknesses of the top Cu layers with a Cu/Ni metal catalyst structure used to fabricate a planar mesh pattern of single and multi-layer graphene. We exhibit a continuous transmittance change from 85% (MLG) to 97.6% (SLG) at an incident light wavelength of 550 nm on graphene samples simultaneously grown in a CVD quartz tube. We also investigate the relationships between the sheet resistances.

A Light Scattering Layer for Internal Light Extraction of Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Based on Silver Nanowires.

We propose and fabricate a random light scattering layer for light extraction in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with silver nanodots, which were obtained by melting silver nanowires. The OLED with the light scattering layer as an internal light extraction structure was enhanced by 49.1% for the integrated external quantum efficiency (EQE). When a wrinkle structure is simultaneously used for an external light extraction structure, the total enhancement of the integrated EQE was 65.3%. The EQE is maximized to 65.3% at a current level of 2.0 mA/cm(2). By applying an internal light scattering layer and wrinkle structure to an OLED, the variance in the emission spectra was negligible over a broad viewing angle. Power mode analyses with finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations revealed that the use of a scattering layer effectively reduced the waveguiding mode while introducing non-negligible absorption. Our method offers an effective yet simple approach to achieve both efficiency enhancement and spectral stability for a wide range of OLED applications.