Electro-optical apparatus, manufacturing method thereof, and electronic instrument

Abstract

The invention achieves a reduction in a thickness while suppressing a thermal effect. An apparatus includes a light-emitting element and a sealing layer to hermetically seal the light-emitting element. The sealing layer includes a heat radiation layer having thermal conductivity.

Description

[0001] This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 10 / 285,542 filed Nov. 1, 2002. The entire disclosure of the prior application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of Invention [0003] The present invention relates to an electro-optical apparatus, a manufacturing method thereof, and an electronic instrument having the electro-optical apparatus. More specifically, the invention relates to an electro-optical apparatus having a light-emitting element, such as an organic EL apparatus, a manufacturing method thereof, and an electronic instrument having the electro-optical apparatus. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] A related art electro-optical apparatus, such as a liquid crystal apparatus and an organic EL (electroluminescence) apparatus, may have a plurality of circuit elements, electrodes, liquid crystal elements, or EL elements deposited on a substrate. For example, the organic EL apparatus has a light-e...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] Since the organic EL apparatus having the above-mentioned structure has a current-drive type light-emitting element, a current has to be fed between the anode and the cathode when light is emitted. As a result, the element generates heat when emitting light, and when oxygen and moisture exist around the element, the oxidation of an element material due to the oxygen and moisture is promoted so as to degrade the element. An alkaline metal and alkaline earth metal used especially in the cathode are liable to be oxidized. A typical example of the element degradation due to the oxygen and water is a production of a dark spot and the development thereof. The dark spot means a defective luminous spot. When the degradation of the light-emitting element is accelerated in connection with the driving of the organic EL apparatus, instability with time, such as reducing luminance brightness and luminous instability, and reduced duration of life, have occurred.

[0030] Thereby, according to the present invention, the scratching resistance of the sealing layer, and by extension the scratching resistance of the electro-optical apparatus, is enhanced, reducing or preventing damage to the sealing layer and the light-emitting layer due to an external impact. Since the protection film is gas-permeable, the heat produced in the sealing layer is liable to be radiated to the outside of the apparatus. The protection film may be formed on the entire surface of the substrate or may be patterned. In view of contaminant sticking, water absorption, moisture absorption, and abrasion resistance, the protection film may preferably be a material with low surface-active energy, such as a fluorine polymer, silicone resin, polyolefine resin, and polycarbonate resin.

Problems solved by technology

Such a related art electro-optical apparatus mentioned above, however, has the following problems.

An alkaline metal and alkaline earth metal used especially in the cathode are liable to be oxidized.

When the degradation of the light-emitting element is accelerated in connection with the driving of the organic EL apparatus, instability with time, such as reducing luminance brightness and luminous instability, and reduced duration of life, have occurred.

In using the glass plate, however, the problem arises that the thickness of the apparatus is increased since at least two glass plates are used.

Also, in providing the cooling device, the increase in size of the apparatus cannot be avoided because of the necessity of forming a flow path for the fluid.

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