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.

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.

Metal oxide charge transfer complex for effective energy band tailoring in multilayer optoelectronics.

Metal oxides are intensively used for multilayered optoelectronic devices such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Many approaches have been explored to improve device performance by engineering electrical properties. However, conventional methods cannot enable both energy level manipulation and conductivity enhancement for achieving optimum energy band configurations. Here, we introduce a metal oxide charge transfer complex (NiO:MoO3-complex), which is composed of few-nm-size MoO3 domains embedded in NiO matrices, as a highly tunable carrier injection material. Charge transfer at the finely dispersed interfaces of NiO and MoO3 throughout the entire film enables effective energy level modulation over a wide work function range of 4.47 - 6.34 eV along with enhanced electrical conductivity. The high performance of NiO:MoO3-complex is confirmed by achieving 189% improved current efficiency compared to that of MoO3-based green OLEDs and also an external quantum efficiency of 17% when applied to blue OLEDs, which is superior to 1,4,5,8,9,11-hexaazatriphenylene-hexacarbonitrile-based conventional devices.

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.

Synergetic contribution of fluorinated azide for high EQE and operational stability of top-illuminated, semitransparent, photomultiplication-type organic photodiodes.

In this study, it is shown that fluorinated azide, employed as a functional additive to photomultiplication-type organic photodiodes (PM-OPDs), can not only enhance the operational stability by freezing the morphology consisting of matrix polymer/localized acceptor but also stabilize the trapped electron states such that the photomultiplication mechanism can be accelerated further, leading to exceptionally high external quantum efficiency (EQE). The consequent semitransparent OPD consisting of molybdenum oxide (MoO3)/Au/MoO3/photoactive layer/polyethyleneimine ethoxylated/indium tin oxide (ITO) rendered a maximum EQE of over 500 000% and 370 000% under bottom and top illumination, respectively. Owing to the remarkably high EQE, high specific detectivity of 5.6 × 1013 Jones and low noise-equivalent power of 5.35 × 10-15 W Hz-0.5 were also demonstrated. Furthermore, the OPD demonstrated stable performance during 20 h of continuous operation and minimal performance degradation even after the damp heat test. To fully visualize the advantages of the proposed high-EQE, top-illuminated, semitransparent OPD with spectral asymmetry between absorption and detection, a reflection-type fingerprint platform consisting of 1 OPD-1 oxide field-effect transistor complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor backplane (300 ppi) is designed and fabricated. The successful recognition of the fingerprint of one of the authors is demonstrated, which indicates the feasibility of the proposed PM-OPD for sensing weak light intensity.

Surface wrinkle formation by liquid crystalline polymers for significant light extraction enhancement on quantum dot light-emitting diodes.

We propose an optimal outcoupling structure of a quantum-dot light-emitting diode (QLED) and present material properties based on numerical calculations via the ray-tracing method, in which light extraction properties are obtained according to the surface wrinkles on a substrate. After analyzing the designed microstructure elements, the optimal model was derived and applied to the QLEDs; consequently, the outcoupling efficiency enhanced by 31%. The liquid crystalline polymer forming the random surface wrinkles not only achieves an excellent light extraction through plasma crosslinking but also facilitates large-area processes. We propose an optical design rule for high-efficiency QLED design by analyzing the electro-optical efficiency, emission spectrum, and angular radiation pattern of the optical device.

Ultraflexible and transparent electroluminescent skin for real-time and super-resolution imaging of pressure distribution.

The ability to image pressure distribution over complex three-dimensional surfaces would significantly augment the potential applications of electronic skin. However, existing methods show poor spatial and temporal fidelity due to their limited pixel density, low sensitivity, or low conformability. Here, we report an ultraflexible and transparent electroluminescent skin that autonomously displays super-resolution images of pressure distribution in real time. The device comprises a transparent pressure-sensing film with a solution-processable cellulose/nanowire nanohybrid network featuring ultrahigh sensor sensitivity (>5000 kPa-1) and a fast response time (<1 ms), and a quantum dot-based electroluminescent film. The two ultrathin films conform to each contact object and transduce spatial pressure into conductivity distribution in a continuous domain, resulting in super-resolution (>1000 dpi) pressure imaging without the need for pixel structures. Our approach provides a new framework for visualizing accurate stimulus distribution with potential applications in skin prosthesis, robotics, and advanced human-machine interfaces.

Enhanced outcoupling in down-conversion white organic light-emitting diodes using imprinted microlens array films with breath figure patterns.

We demonstrate high-performance down-conversion microlens array (DC-MLA) films for white organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). The DC-MLA films are readily fabricated by an imprinting method based on breath figure patterns, which are directly formed on the polymer substrate with a novel concept. The DC-MLA films result in high-quality white light as well as enhanced light outcoupling efficiency for white OLEDs. The external quantum efficiency and power efficiency of OLEDs with DC-MLA films are increased by a factor of 1.35 and 1.86, respectively, compared to OLEDs without outcoupling films. Moreover, the white OLEDs with DC-MLA films achieve a high color-rendering index of 84.3. It is anticipated that the novel DC-MLA films fabricated by the simple imprinting process with breath figure patterns can contribute to the development of efficient white OLEDs.

Enhanced light extraction from organic light-emitting diodes using a quasi-periodic nano-structure.

Organic light-emitting diodes with a quasi-periodic nano-structure (QPS) were fabricated via a combination of laser interference lithography (LIL) and reactive ion etching (RIE). The LIL process was used to generate a periodic pattern, whereas the RIE process was used as a supplement to add randomness to the periodic pattern. The period of the fabricated periodic pattern was determined by finite difference time domain solutions. The height and density of the QPS were controlled by the RIE etching time and were optimized. The resulting quasi-periodic nanostructure comprised silicon dioxide (SiO2) with a low refractive index (n = 1.4-1.5), and an external quantum efficiency enhancement of 18% was achieved using the QPS device, without any viewing angle problems or spectral distortion, which are serious drawbacks of periodic patterns.

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.

Design and fabrication of two-stack tandem-type all-phosphorescent white organic light-emitting diode for achieving high color rendering index and luminous efficacy.

White organic light-emitting diodes (WOLEDs) are regarded as the general lighting source. Although color rendering index (CRI) and luminous efficacy are usually in trade-off relation, we will discuss about the optimization of both characteristics, particularly focusing on the spectrum of a blue emitter. The emission at a shorter wavelength is substantially important for achieving very high CRI (> 90). The luminous efficacy of a phosphorescent blue emitter is low as its color falls in the deeper blue range; however, that does not show any significant influence on the WOLEDs. WOLEDs with different blue dopants are compared to confirm the calculation of the CRI and luminous efficacy, and the optimized WOLEDs exhibit luminous efficacy of 38.3 lm/W and CRI of 90.9.

Highly Conductive PEDOT:PSS Films with 1,3-Dimethyl-2-Imidazolidinone as Transparent Electrodes for Organic Light-Emitting Diodes.

Highly conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) ( PEDOT: PSS) films as transparent electrodes for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are doped with a new solvent 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (DMI) and are optimized using solvent post-treatment. The DMI doped PEDOT: PSS films show significantly enhanced conductivities up to 812.1 S cm(-1) . The sheet resistance of the PEDOT: PSS films doped with DMI is further reduced by various solvent post-treatment. The effect of solvent post-treatment on DMI doped PEDOT: PSS films is investigated and is shown to reduce insulating PSS in the conductive films. The solvent posttreated PEDOT: PSS films are successfully employed as transparent electrodes in white OLEDs. It is shown that the efficiency of OLEDs with the optimized DMI doped PEDOT: PSS films is higher than that of reference OLEDs doped with a conventional solvent (ethylene glycol). The results present that the optimized PEDOT: PSS films with the new solvent of DMI can be a promising transparent electrode for low-cost, efficient ITO-free white OLEDs.

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.

A nanoporous polymer film as a diffuser as well as a light extraction component for top emitting organic light emitting diodes with a strong microcavity structure.

To improve the viewing angle characteristic as well as the light extraction effect of strong microcavity devices, we fabricated a nanoporous polymer film (NPF) as a scattering medium as well as a light extraction component. We designed two types of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) with a strong microcavity effect by changing the thickness of the hole transport layer (HTL; e.g., 30 nm and 60 nm) to investigate two different scattering effects of the NPF. Very interestingly, we could observe a significant enhancement of the external quantum efficiency (EQE) for each device (30 nm thick HTL: 18.0%, 60 nm thick HTL: 31.6%) when we attached a NPF formed on a 125 µm thick PET film coated with the NPF. Furthermore, the NPF successfully suppressed the viewing angle dependence to realize ideal angular emission even in the two extreme microcavity conditions although they are still different from that of a Lambertian distribution.

Simultaneously enhanced device efficiency, stabilized chromaticity of organic light emitting diodes with lambertian emission characteristic by random convex lenses.

An optical functional film applicable to various lighting devices is demonstrated in this study. The phase separation of two immiscible polymers in a common solvent was used to fabricate the film. In this paper, a self-organized lens-like structure is realized in this manner with optical OLED functional film. For an OLED, there are a few optical drawbacks, including light confinement or viewing angle distortion. By applying the optical film to an OLED, the angular spectra distortion resulting from the designed organic stack which produced the highest efficiency was successfully stabilized, simultaneously enhancing the efficiency of the OLED. We prove the effect of the film on the efficiency of OLEDs through an optical simulation. With the capability to overcome the main drawbacks of OLEDs, we contend that the proposed film can be applied to various lighting devices.

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.

Finely Formed, Kinetically Modulated Wrinkle Structures in UV-Crosslinkable Liquid Prepolymers.

Special characteristics of wrinkles such as a scattering source and a high surface area are finding use in high-tech applications. UV-crosslinkable prepolymers are occasionally used for fabricating wrinkled films. Wavelength of the wrinkles formed from the prepolymers is several tens and hundreds of micrometers. Here, a UV-crosslinkable liquid prepolymer is synthesized to spontaneously form wrinkle structures in the order of several micrometers. Double layers with a very thin hard skin and a soft and contractible foundation are formed at the same time, by ensuring that all the absorbance wavelengths of the photoinitiator are shorter than the minimum wavelength at which the prepolymer is transparent. The rate of photo-crosslinking reaction, R(p), is also found to affect the thickness of the skin and foundation layers at the early UV-curing stage. The first-order apparent rate constant, k(app), is between ≈0.20 and ≈0.69 s(-1) for the wrinkle formation. This wrinkle structures can be simply modulated by changing R(p).

A randomly nano-structured scattering layer for transparent organic light emitting diodes.

A random scattering layer (RSL) consisting of a random nano-structure (RNS) and a high refractive index planarization layer (HRI PL) is suggested and demonstrated as an efficient internal light-extracting layer for transparent organic light emitting diodes (TOLEDs). By introducing the RSL, a remarkable enhancement of 40% and 46% in external quantum efficiency (EQE) and luminous efficacy (LE) was achieved without causing deterioration in the transmittance. Additionally, with the use of the RSL, the viewing angle dependency of EL spectra was reduced to a marginal degree. The results were interpreted as the stronger influence of the scattering effect over the microcavity. The RSL can be applied widely in TOLEDs as an effective light-extracting layer for extracting the waveguide mode of confined light at the indium tin oxide (ITO)/OLED stack without introducing spectral changes in TOLEDs.

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.

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.