Optical filter and display device including the same

Abstract

The present invention discloses a filter and a display device including the filter. A filter including a plurality of color regions and a surrounding region includes: a substrate; a first optical layer located on the substrate and including first to third color filters located in the first to third color regions, respectively; a second optical layer including a first color conversion portion, a second color conversion portion, and a light-transmitting portion respectively overlapping the first, second, and third color filters; and a light-shielding layer, wherein the light-shielding layer includes a main body portion including a light-shielding material located in the surrounding region, and the main body portion surrounds both a first opening and a second opening. The first and second color regions adjacent to each other and the region between the first and second color regions correspond to the first opening, and the third color region corresponds to the second opening.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0146957 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on November 15, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an optical filter and a display device including the optical filter. Background Art

[0004] With the development of various electronic devices such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), computers, and large televisions (TVs), various types of display devices suitable for various electronic devices have been developed. For example, display devices widely used in the market include liquid crystal display devices and organic light-emitting display devices, the liquid crystal display devices include backlight units, and the organic light-emitting display devices emit light of different colors from various color regions. In addition, a display device including a quantum dot color conversion layer (QD-CCL) has recently been developed. The quantum dots excited by the incident light emit light having a wavelength longer than the wavelength of the incident light, and light of a low wavelength band is mainly used as the incident light. Summary of the invention

[0005] One or more embodiments include an optical filter having excellent display quality, reduced defect rate, and improved light emitting efficiency, and a display device including the optical filter.

[0006] Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

[0007] According to one or more embodiments, a filter including multiple color regions and surrounding regions adjacent to the multiple color regions includes: a substrate; a first optical layer, located on the substrate and including a first color filter, a second color filter, and a third color filter, respectively located in a first color region, a second color region, and a third color region among the multiple color regions; a second optical layer, including a first color conversion portion overlapping with the first color filter, a second color conversion portion overlapping with the second color filter, and a light-transmitting portion overlapping with the third color filter; and a light-shielding layer, wherein the light-shielding layer includes a main body portion located in the surrounding region and including a light-shielding material, and the main body portion surrounds both a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first color region and the second color region adjacent to each other and an area between the first color region and the second color region correspond to the first opening, and the third color region corresponds to the second opening.

[0008] In an embodiment, an overlapping portion between the first color filter and the second color filter may be located at the first opening.

[0009] In an embodiment, the third color filter may include a first portion located in the third color region and a second portion located between adjacent color regions among the first color region, the second color region, and the third color region.

[0010] In an embodiment, the first surface of the second portion may directly contact at least one of the first color filter and the second color filter.

[0011] In an embodiment, the plurality of color regions may further include an adjacent first color region adjacent to the first color region, and the body portion of the light shielding layer may further include a branch portion located between the first color region and the adjacent first color region.

[0012] In an embodiment, the optical filter may further include at least one of a first capping layer between the first optical layer and the second optical layer and a second capping layer covering the second optical layer.

[0013] In an embodiment, the second capping layer may have a refractive index lower than that of the second optical layer.

[0014] In an embodiment, the first color conversion portion, the second color conversion portion and the light-transmitting portion may each include scattering particles, the first color conversion portion may further include a first quantum dot, and the second color conversion portion may further include a second quantum dot, and the first quantum dot and the second quantum dot may include the same material and have different sizes from each other.

[0015] In an embodiment, the first color conversion portion, the second color conversion portion, and the light-transmitting portion may be spaced apart from each other, the second capping layer and the first capping layer may be in direct contact with each other between the first color conversion portion, the second color conversion portion, and the light-transmitting portion, and the filter may further include a light-shielding wall portion between the first color conversion portion, the second color conversion portion, and the light-transmitting portion.

[0016] In an embodiment, the optical filter may further include a protective layer covering the second optical layer to provide a flat surface.

[0017] According to one or more embodiments, a display device includes: a light-emitting panel for emitting light of a single color; and a filter, including multiple color regions and surrounding regions adjacent to the multiple color regions, and configured to transmit light emitted from the light-emitting panel or convert the light emitted from the light-emitting panel into light of different colors, wherein the filter further includes: a substrate; a first optical layer, located on the substrate, and including a first color filter, a second color filter, and a third color filter, respectively located in a first color region, a second color region, and a third color region among the multiple color regions; a second optical layer, including a first color conversion portion corresponding to the first color filter, a second color conversion portion corresponding to the second color filter, and a light-transmitting portion corresponding to the third color filter; and a shading layer, including a main portion located in the surrounding region and including a shading material, wherein the first color filter and the second color filter directly contact a surface of a portion of the third color filter located between the first color region and the second color region.

[0018] In an embodiment, the filter may further include: a plurality of first color regions, each including a first color filter and a first color conversion portion overlapping each other; a plurality of second color regions, each including a second color filter and a second color conversion portion overlapping each other; and a plurality of third color regions, each including a third color filter and a light-transmitting portion overlapping each other, wherein each of the plurality of third color regions can be completely surrounded by the main body portion.

[0019] In an embodiment, the plurality of color regions may further include an adjacent first color region adjacent to the first color region, and the light shielding layer may further include a branch portion connected to the body portion and located between the first color region and the adjacent first color region.

[0020] In an embodiment, the third color filter may include a first portion located in each of the plurality of third color regions and a second portion located between adjacent color regions among the plurality of first color regions, the plurality of second color regions, and the plurality of third color regions.

[0021] In an embodiment, the second portion of the third color filter may have a grid shape on a plane.

[0022] In an embodiment, the optical filter may further include at least one of a first capping layer between the first optical layer and the second optical layer and a second capping layer covering the second optical layer.

[0023] In an embodiment, the second capping layer may have a refractive index lower than that of the second optical layer.

[0024] In an embodiment, the first color conversion portion, the second color conversion portion and the light-transmitting portion may each include scattering particles, the first color conversion portion may further include a first quantum dot, and the second color conversion portion may further include a second quantum dot, and the first quantum dot and the second quantum dot may include the same material and have different sizes.

[0025] In an embodiment, the display device may further include a first covering layer and a second covering layer, and the first color conversion portion, the second color conversion portion and the light-transmitting portion may be spaced apart from each other, the second covering layer and the first covering layer may be in direct contact with each other between the first color conversion portion, the second color conversion portion and the light-transmitting portion, and the filter may further include a light-shielding wall portion located between the first color conversion portion, the second color conversion portion and the light-transmitting portion.

[0026] In an embodiment, the optical filter may further include a protection layer covering the second optical layer to provide a flat surface on the second optical layer.

[0027] Other aspects and features besides those described above will become apparent from the accompanying drawings and detailed description of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The above and other aspects and features of embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description of example embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating a portion of a display device according to an embodiment;

[0030] Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 The cross section taken along line II' shows Figure 1 a portion of a display device;

[0031] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an example of a light emitting panel of an embodiment of a display device;

[0032] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an example of a second optical layer of an embodiment of a display device;

[0033] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the Figure 1 A plan view of an example of a third color filter of an embodiment of a display device;

[0034] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the formation of Figure 5A plan view of an example of a light shielding layer on a third color filter;

[0035] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing a method for forming a Figure 5 A plan view of another example of a light shielding layer on a third color filter of ; and

[0036] FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C yes Figure 1 Graphs of wavelength versus reflectivity for embodiments of a display device in which a light-shielding material is provided in the display device and in which no light-shielding material is provided in the display device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Hereinafter, example embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals always represent the same elements. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in a variety of different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments illustrated herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided as examples so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the aspects and features of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Therefore, processes, elements, and techniques that are unnecessary for a person of ordinary skill in the art to fully understand the aspects and features of the present disclosure may not be described.

[0038] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Throughout the disclosure, the expression "at least one of a, b, and c" indicates only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, all of a, b, and c, or variations thereof.

[0039] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and in the following description, the same reference numerals will denote the same elements, and repeated descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0040] It will be understood that although terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms and these terms are only used to distinguish one component from another.

[0041] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0042] It will be understood that terms such as “comprising,” “including,” and “having” used herein specify the presence of stated features or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features or components.

[0043] As used herein, "A and / or B" means A, B, or both. In addition, "at least one of A and B" means A, B, or both.

[0044] It will be understood that when a layer, region or component is referred to as being “on” another layer, region or component, it can be “directly on” another layer, region or component, or can be “indirectly on” another layer, region or component with one or more intermediate layers, regions or components located therebetween.

[0045] For the convenience of description, the sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated. In other words, since the sizes and thicknesses of components in the drawings are arbitrarily illustrated for the convenience of description, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0046] When a certain embodiment can be implemented differently, a specific process can be performed in a different order from the described order. For example, two processes described in succession can be performed substantially simultaneously or in a reverse order from the described order.

[0047] It will be understood that when a layer, region, or component is referred to as being “connected to” another layer, region, or component, it may be “directly connected to” the other layer, region, or component, or may be “indirectly connected to” the other layer, region, or component with one or more intermediate layers, regions, or components located therebetween. For example, it will be understood that when a layer, region, or component is referred to as being “electrically connected to” another layer, region, or component, it may be “directly electrically connected to” the other layer, region, or component, or may be “indirectly electrically connected to” the other layer, region, or component with one or more intermediate layers, regions, or components located therebetween.

[0048] For ease of illustration, spatially relative terms such as "below," "beneath," "below," "beneath," "above," "on," etc. may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature relative to another element or feature as shown in the drawings. It should be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if the device in the drawings is flipped, elements described as being "below" or "below" or "below" other elements or features will then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example terms "below" and "below" may encompass both above and below orientations. The device may be oriented in other ways (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

[0049] As used herein, the terms "substantially," "approximately," and similar terms are used as terms of approximation rather than terms of degree, and are intended to take into account the inherent deviations of measurements or calculations that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize. Further, when describing embodiments of the present disclosure, the use of "may" refers to "one or more embodiments of the present disclosure." As used herein, the term "using" and variations thereof may be considered synonymous with the term "utilizing" and variations thereof, respectively. In addition, the term "exemplary" is intended to mean an example or illustration.

[0050] The electronic or electrical devices and / or any other related devices or components according to the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein can be implemented using any suitable hardware, firmware (e.g., application specific integrated circuits), software, or a combination of software, firmware, and hardware. For example, the various components of these devices can be formed on an integrated circuit (IC) chip or on a separate IC chip. In addition, the various components of these devices can be implemented on a flexible printed circuit film, a tape carrier package (TCP), a printed circuit board (PCB), or formed on a substrate. In addition, the various components of these devices can be processes or threads running on one or more processors in one or more computing devices, executing computer program instructions and interacting with other system components to perform the functions described herein. Computer program instructions are stored in a memory (e.g., taking a random access memory (RAM) as an example) that can be implemented in a computing device using a standard storage device. Computer program instructions can also be stored in other non-temporary computer-readable media such as, for example, a CD-ROM, a flash drive, etc. In addition, those skilled in the art should recognize that the functions of various computing devices can be combined or integrated into a single computing device, or the functions of a specific computing device can be distributed on one or more other computing devices without departing from the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0051] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. It will also be understood that, unless expressly defined as such herein, terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and / or this specification, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense.

[0052] Figure 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating a part of the display device 10 according to the embodiment.

[0053] refer to Figure 1 , the display device 10 according to the embodiment may include a plurality of color areas CA for emitting light and a surrounding area SA. The surrounding area SA may be adjacent to the color area CA.

[0054] The color area CA may emit light to the outside of the display device 10, and may be divided into a first color area CA1, a second color area CA2, and a third color area CA3 according to the color of the emitted light. For example, the first color area CA1 may emit green light G having a peak wavelength of about 495 nm or more and less than about 580 nm, the second color area CA2 may emit red light R having a peak wavelength of about 580 nm or more and less than about 750 nm, and the third color area CA3 may emit blue light B having a peak wavelength of about 400 nm or more and less than about 495 nm.

[0055] The first color area CA1, the second color area CA2, and the third color area CA3 may be spaced apart from each other, and the surrounding area SA may be between them. Figure 1 As illustrated in FIG. 8 , the surrounding area SA may have a grid shape by surrounding the first color area CA1 , the second color area CA2 , and the third color area CA3 .

[0056] However, Figure 1 The arrangement of the first color area CA1, the second color area CA2, and the third color area CA3 illustrated in FIG. 1 is only an example, and the first color area CA1, the second color area CA2, and the third color area CA3 may be arranged in various ways and various shapes. In addition, the color area CA may further include a fourth color area emitting white light.

[0057] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a view taken along line II' according to an embodiment Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an example of a cross section.

[0058] like Figure 2 As illustrated in , the display device 10 according to the embodiment may include a light emitting panel 200 and an optical filter 100 stacked on the light emitting panel 200 .

[0059] The optical filter 100 and the light emitting panel 200 may be directly bonded through a transparent adhesive layer. As another example, a filling layer including a transparent insulating layer or an air layer may be further provided between the optical filter 100 and the light emitting panel 200.

[0060] The light generated by the light emitting panel 200 may generate incident light Lib incident on the optical filter 100, and the incident light Lib incident on the optical filter 100 may be converted into light having different colors, or may be emitted to the outside with its unchanged color through the color area CA. For example, the incident light Lib may be blue light, and the light emitted through the color area CA may include red light, blue light, and / or green light.

[0061] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the Figure 1 2 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a light emitting panel 200 of an embodiment of a display device 10 .

[0062] refer to Figure 3 The light emitting panel 200 may include a first substrate 210 , a pixel circuit layer 220 disposed on the first substrate 210 , a light emitting diode 230 , and an encapsulation layer 240 .

[0063] The first substrate 210 may be transparent and may be formed, for example, of an insulating material such as glass, plastic, or quartz, and its material may be selected in consideration of mechanical strength, thermal stability, transparency, surface smoothness, ease of handling, water resistance, and / or any other appropriate considerations. For example, when the first substrate 210 includes a high molecular weight material, the first substrate 210 may be formed of polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polysulfone (PSF), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), triacetyl cellulose (TAC), cycloolefin polymer (COP), cycloolefin copolymer (COC), and / or any other suitable material.

[0064] The pixel circuit layer 220 may be located on the first substrate 210. The pixel circuit layer 220 may include first to third pixel circuits 221, 222, and 223, and each of the first to third pixel circuits 221, 222, and 223 may include a plurality of electronic elements, for example, a transistor and at least one capacitor.

[0065] The light emitting panel 200 may include first to third pixels PX1, PX2, and PX3. The first pixel PX1 may include a light emitting diode 230 and a first pixel circuit 221 for controlling the light emitting diode 230, the second pixel PX2 may include a light emitting diode 230 and a second pixel circuit 222 for controlling the light emitting diode 230, and the third pixel PX3 may include a light emitting diode 230 and a third pixel circuit 223 for controlling the light emitting diode 230.

[0066] The first to third pixel circuits 221, 222, and 223 may be electrically connected to light emitting diodes 230 included in the first to third pixels PX1, PX2, and PX3, respectively. Each light emitting diode 230 may include a first pixel electrode 231, an intermediate layer 233, and an opposing electrode 235, which are sequentially stacked.

[0067] End portions of the first pixel electrodes 231 included in the first to third pixels PX1 , PX2 , and PX3 may be covered by the insulating layer 237 and spaced apart from each other.

[0068] The intermediate layer 233 may include an emission layer. The emission layer may include an organic material. For example, the emission layer may include a low molecular weight organic material or a high molecular weight organic material. The emission layer may include a low molecular weight organic material or a high molecular weight organic material capable of emitting blue light. In addition to the emission layer, the intermediate layer 233 may selectively further include at least one functional layer selected from a hole transport layer (HTL), a hole injection layer (HIL), an electron transport layer (ETL), an electron injection layer (EIL) and / or any other suitable layer. The intermediate layer 233 (e.g., the emission layer and the at least one functional layer) may be integrally formed above or on the first substrate 210.

[0069] The counter electrode 235 may include a transparent or semi-transparent electrode.

[0070] The encapsulation layer 240 may be arranged to cover the light emitting diode 230. The encapsulation layer 240 may include at least one inorganic encapsulation layer and at least one organic encapsulation layer. In an embodiment, the encapsulation layer 240 may include a structure in which a first inorganic encapsulation layer, an organic encapsulation layer, and a second inorganic encapsulation layer are stacked.

[0071] The light emitting diode 230 may generate light having a light amount controlled by a corresponding one of the first to third pixel circuits 221, 222, and 223, respectively, and emit light incident to the optical filter 100 (see Figure 2 ) of the incident light Lib. For example, the incident light Lib may be blue light. The light emitting diode 230 may be arranged with the filter 100 (see Figure 2 ) color area CA (see Figure 1 ) corresponding to.

[0072] For example, the incident light Lib emitted from the light emitting diode 230 controlled by the first pixel circuit 221 of the first pixel PX1 may pass through the first color conversion part 151 (see Figure 2 ) is converted into light of the first color and can pass through the second substrate 110 (see Figure 2 ) is emitted to the outside. The incident light Lib emitted from the light emitting diode 230 controlled by the second pixel circuit 222 of the second pixel PX2 can pass through the second color conversion part 152 (see Figure 2 ) is converted into light of a second color and passes through the second substrate 110 (see Figure 2 ) is emitted to the outside. In addition, the incident light Lib emitted from the light emitting diode 230 controlled by the third pixel circuit 223 of the third pixel PX3 can pass through the light-transmitting portion 153 (see Figure 2 ), and can be formed by the second substrate 110 (see Figure 2) is emitted to the outside. Therefore, the incident light Lib emitted from the light emitting panel 200 can pass through the filter 100 (see Figure 2 ) is converted into green light, red light and blue light, and thus color images can be displayed.

[0073] Return to reference Figure 2 , the filter 100 may include a second substrate 110, a first optical layer 120 on a first surface of the second substrate 110, a second optical layer 150 on the first optical layer 120, and a light shielding layer 130 adjacent to the first optical layer 120. Here, the first surface of the second substrate 110 may face the light emitting panel 200.

[0074] The second substrate 110 may be transparent and may be formed, for example, of an insulating material such as glass, plastic, or quartz, and its material may be selected in consideration of mechanical strength, thermal stability, transparency, surface smoothness, ease of handling, water resistance, and / or any other appropriate considerations. For example, when the second substrate 110 includes a high molecular weight material, the second substrate 110 may be formed of polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polysulfone (PSF), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), triacetyl cellulose (TAC), cycloolefin polymer (COP), cycloolefin copolymer (COC), and / or any other suitable material.

[0075] The first optical layer 120 on the first surface of the second substrate 110 may include an organic material pattern including a dye or a pigment. The first optical layer 120 may include a first color filter 121 at least in the first color area CA1, a second color filter 122 at least in the second color area CA2, and a third color filter 123 at least in the third color area CA3.

[0076] The first color filter 121 may include a pigment or dye of a first color (e.g., green) to selectively transmit only light of the first color, the second color filter 122 may include a pigment or dye of a second color (e.g., red) to selectively transmit only light of the second color, and the third color filter 123 may include a pigment or dye of a third color (e.g., blue) to selectively transmit only light of the third color.

[0077] The first to third color filters 121, 122, and 123 may extend to the surrounding area SA between the first to third color areas CA1, CA2, and CA3 to partially overlap with the adjacent color filters in the surrounding area SA. That is, since the first to third color filters 121, 122, and 123 may be formed to be larger than the first to third color areas CA1, CA2, and CA3, even when an error occurs in the formation position of the first to third color filters 121, 122, and 123, a defect may not occur in the optical filter 100, and thus the manufacturing efficiency of the optical filter 100 may be improved.

[0078] The second optical layer 150 may be located on the first optical layer 120. The second optical layer 150 may include a first color conversion portion 151, a second color conversion portion 152, and a light-transmitting portion 153. The first color conversion portion 151 may overlap the first color filter 121, the second color conversion portion 152 may overlap the second color filter 122, and the light-transmitting portion 153 may overlap the third color filter 123. The first color conversion portion 151 and the second color conversion portion 152 may convert the incident light Lib generated by the light emitting panel 200 into light having a specific color, and then emit the light toward the second substrate 110. The light-transmitting portion 153 may transmit the incident light Lib generated by the light emitting panel 200 without color conversion, and then emit the light toward the second substrate 110.

[0079] For example, Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first color conversion portion 151 may convert the blue incident light Lib into the first color light Lg. The first color light Lg may be green light. To this end, the first color conversion portion 151 may include a first photosensitive polymer 51a in which first quantum dots 51b are dispersed.

[0080] The first photosensitive polymer 51 a may include an organic material having light transmittance such as silicone resin or epoxy resin.

[0081] The first quantum dots 51b may be excited by the blue incident light Lib to isotropically emit the first color light Lg having a wavelength longer than that of the blue light. The first quantum dots 51b may include II-VI compounds, III-V compounds, IV-VI compounds, IV compounds, or any combination thereof.

[0082] The first scattering particles 51c may be further dispersed in the first photosensitive polymer 51a. The first scattering particles 51c may scatter the blue incident light Lib that is not absorbed by the first quantum dots 51b to excite more first quantum dots 51b, thereby improving the color conversion efficiency of the first color conversion portion 151. The first scattering particles 51c may include, for example, titanium oxide (TiO 2), metal particles and / or any other suitable particles.

[0083] The second color conversion portion 152 may convert the blue incident light Lib into the second color light Lr. The second color light Lr may be red light. The second color conversion portion 152 may include a second photosensitive polymer 52a in which second quantum dots 52b are dispersed, and second scattering particles 52c may be dispersed in the second photosensitive polymer 52a together with the second quantum dots 52b, thereby improving the color conversion efficiency of the second color conversion portion 152.

[0084] The second photosensitive polymer 52a may include the same or substantially the same material as the first photosensitive polymer 51a, and the second scattering particles 52c may include the same or substantially the same material as the first scattering particles 51c. The second quantum dot 52b may include a II-VI compound, a III-V compound, a IV-VI compound, a IV compound, or any combination thereof. That is, the second quantum dot 52b may include the same or substantially the same material as the first quantum dot 51b. However, the size of the second quantum dot 52b may be larger than the size of the first quantum dot 51b, and thus the second quantum dot 52b may be excited by the blue incident light Lib to isotropically emit a second color light Lr having a wavelength longer than the wavelength of the blue light and also having a wavelength longer than the wavelength of the first color light Lg.

[0085] The light-transmitting portion 153 may include a third photosensitive polymer 53a in which third scattering particles 53c are dispersed. That is, the light-transmitting portion 153 may not include separate quantum dots that may be excited by the blue incident light Lib. Similar to the first photosensitive polymer 51a, the third photosensitive polymer 53a may be formed of an organic material having light transmittance, and the third scattering particles 53c may include the same or substantially the same material as the first scattering particles 51c. Therefore, the blue incident light Lib incident on the light-transmitting portion 153 may pass through the light-transmitting portion 153 without changing the color, and therefore, the third color light Lb emitted through the light-transmitting portion 153 may be blue light. However, the blue incident light Lib may be scattered by the third scattering particles 53c in the light-transmitting portion 153, and then emitted toward the second substrate 110.

[0086] Return to reference Figure 2 , the light shielding layer 130 may be on any one of the first to third color filters 121, 122, and 123. The light shielding layer 130 may include a main body portion 133 located in the surrounding area SA and including a light shielding material. The light shielding material may include an opaque inorganic insulating material such as chromium oxide or molybdenum oxide, or an opaque organic insulating material such as black resin, and may block light from being emitted to the outside through the surrounding area SA to prevent or reduce the occurrence of light leakage in the display device 10.

[0087] Any one of the first to third color filters 121, 122, and 123 may be located between the second substrate 110 and the main body portion 133 of the light shielding layer 130. For example, Figure 2 The diagram illustrates an example in which a main portion 133 of the light shielding layer 130 is located on the third color filter 123 and a portion of an edge of the first color filter 121 and a portion of an edge of the second color filter 122 are located on the main portion 133 of the light shielding layer 130 .

[0088] To this end, after the third color filter 123 is located (e.g., formed) on the first surface of the second substrate 110 in the remaining areas except for the positions corresponding to the first color area CA1 and the second color area CA2, the main body portion 133 of the light shielding layer 130 may be located (e.g., formed) on the third color filter 123, and then the first color filter 121 may be located (e.g., formed) in the first color area CA1, and the second color filter 122 may be located (e.g., formed) in the second color area CA2. Therefore, the surrounding area SA and the first to third color areas CA1, CA2, and CA3 may be separated by the third color filter 123 and the light shielding layer 130 including the main body portion 133.

[0089] Figure 5 is a plan view schematically illustrating an example of the third color filter 123 according to the embodiment of the display device 10. The plan view is an orthographic projection of the display device 10 viewed from above. Figure 5 The positions of the plurality of color areas CA are also illustrated, and for convenience, the first color filter 121 in the first color area CA1 and the second color filter 122 in the second color area CA2 are also illustrated with diagonal lines having different shapes from the third color filter 123. Figure 5 , the color area CA not indicated by the diagonal lines may be any one of the first to third color areas CA1, CA2, and CA3. Figure 5 The three dots indicated in may mean that a plurality of color filters are regularly and repeatedly arranged.

[0090] The third color filter 123 may include a first portion 123a located in each of the plurality of third color areas CA3 and a second portion 123b located in the surrounding area SA. That is, the second portion 123b may be located between adjacent color areas among the plurality of first color areas CA1, the plurality of second color areas CA2, and the plurality of third color areas CA3. In addition, the second portion 123b may be located in an area between the first color area CA1 and the second color area CA2. In addition, the second portion 123b may have a grid shape on a plane. However, in Figure 5The mesh shape illustrated in is only an example, and the second portion 123b may be arranged in various shapes. The first portion 123a and the second portion 123b of the third color filter 123 may be formed of the same or substantially the same material, may be integrally formed, and may be classified according to their formation positions.

[0091] Figure 6 and Figure 7 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating an example of the light shielding layer 130 according to an embodiment of the display device 10, the plan view being viewed from the light emitting panel 200 toward the second substrate 110. Here, for the sake of simplicity, the light shielding layer 130 and the light shielding layer 130 may be omitted. Figure 5 The points in the same description.

[0092] In the present embodiment, the main body portion 133 of the light shielding layer 130 may be located on (e.g., formed on) the first surface of the second portion 123b of the third color filter 123. Here, the first surface of the second portion 123b may face the light emitting panel 200. The main body portion 133 of the light shielding layer 130 may not be located on the first portion 123a of the third color filter 123 so as not to block the light-transmitting portion 153. In addition, the main body portion 133 may be positioned (e.g., formed) to have an area smaller than that of the second portion 123b. Therefore, since no defect occurs in the filter 100 even when an error occurs in the formation position of the main body portion 133, the manufacturing efficiency of the filter 100 can be improved, and in addition, since the main body portion 133 of the light shielding layer 130 is arranged not to overlap with the first to third color regions CA1, CA2, and CA3, the light conversion efficiency is not reduced.

[0093] refer to Figure 6 , the light shielding layer 130 may include a first opening 131 and a second opening 132 both surrounded by the main body portion 133. The first opening 131 and the second opening 132 may be spaced apart from each other. The first color area CA1 and the second color area CA2 adjacent to each other and the area between the first color area CA1 and the second color area CA2 may correspond to the first opening 131, and the third color area CA3 may correspond to the second opening 132. For example, Figure 6 The diagram illustrates a case where a plurality of first and second color areas CA1 and CA2 adjacent to each other and an area between the first and second color areas CA1 and CA2 correspond to the first opening 131 and each of a plurality of third color areas CA3 corresponds to the second opening 132 . Figure 6 The arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1 is merely an example and may be modified into various shapes.

[0094] The first to third color filters 121, 122, and 123 may partially overlap with adjacent color filters in the surrounding area SA, and an overlapping portion between the first color filter 121 and the second color filter 122 may be located at the first opening 131. In addition, a first surface of the second portion 123 b of the third color filter 123 may directly contact at least one of the first color filter 121 and the second color filter 122.

[0095] As another example, refer to Figure 7 , the plurality of color regions CA may further include an adjacent first color region CA1 adjacent to the first color region CA1, and the main body portion 133 of the light shielding layer 130 may further include a branch portion 133' located between the first color region CA1 and the adjacent first color region CA1. The branch portion 133' may be formed of the same or substantially the same material as the main body portion 133, and may be formed integrally with the main body portion 133. Figure 7 The arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1 is merely an example and may be modified into various shapes.

[0096] Since the light shielding layer 130 is formed as described above, the main body portion 133 of the light shielding layer 130 may not be located between the first color conversion portion 151 and the second color conversion portion 152, and thus the interval between the first color conversion portion 151 and the second color conversion portion 152 may be ensured by the width of the second portion 123b of the third color filter 123. In other words, by reducing the area where the first color conversion portion 151 and the second color conversion portion 152 overlap with the second portion 123b of the third color filter 123, the interval between the first color conversion portion 151 and the second color conversion portion 152 may be further increased.

[0097] FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C The diagram shows Figure 1 Graphs of wavelength versus reflectivity for embodiments of the display device 10 in which a light shielding material is provided or not provided in the display device 10.

[0098] exist FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C In the graph of , the X-axis represents the wavelength of light. Fig. 8A In the graph, the Y axis represents the reflectivity including the specular component (SCI), Figure 8B In the graph of FIG. 1 , the Y axis represents the reflectivity excluding the specular component (SCE), and Figure 8C In the graph of , the Y axis represents the specular reflectance. Fig. 8A In the graph, the Y axis represents the reflectivity including both specular light and diffuse light. Figure 8B In the graph of , the Y axis represents the reflectivity of diffuse light excluding specular light, and Figure 8CIn the graph of , the Y-axis represents the specular light reflectance excluding the diffuse light reflectance.

[0099] refer to Fig. 8A and Figure 8B , it can be seen that when there is no light shielding layer, the reflectivity of the band corresponding to blue light is high compared to the case where there is a light shielding layer. When the reflectivity of the display device is high, the image may be distorted or deformed due to the reflection of external light, and thus the quality of the display device may deteriorate. Therefore, in order to prevent or reduce the quality degradation of the display device, a light shielding layer may be desirable, and in some embodiments, a light shielding layer surrounding a color area for emitting blue light may be desirable.

[0100] However, since wavelength bands corresponding to green and red light have similar reflectance regardless of the presence / absence of the light-shielding layer, the light-shielding layer surrounding the color regions emitting green and red light may be structurally modified as in the present disclosure.

[0101] Unlike light-transmitting portion 153, first color conversion portion 151 and second color conversion portion 152 may each include quantum dots; however, since quantum dots include nanoparticles, the nanoparticles may be degraded by reacting with moisture and / or oxygen, etc. Therefore, in order to prevent or substantially prevent moisture and / or oxygen, etc. from flowing into the quantum dots, a capping layer surrounding first color conversion portion 151 and second color conversion portion 152 may be required.

[0102] Therefore, if Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the filter 100 may further include a first capping layer 140 located between the first optical layer 120 and the second optical layer 150. The first capping layer 140 may include silicon oxide or silicon oxynitride. The first capping layer 140 may have a thickness of approximately To about Thickness.

[0103] In addition, the filter 100 may further include a second capping layer 160 covering the second optical layer 150 (i.e., the first color conversion portion 151, the second color conversion portion 152, and the light-transmitting portion 153). The second capping layer 160 may be completely located on (e.g., formed on) the first surface of the second substrate 110 to cover the second optical layer 150. The second capping layer 160 may include an inorganic insulating material such as silicon nitride, silicon oxide, or silicon oxynitride, and may prevent or reduce degassing of the first color conversion portion 151, the second color conversion portion 152, and the light-transmitting portion 153.

[0104] As described above, since the main body portion 133 of the light shielding layer 130 is not located between the first color conversion portion 151 and the second color conversion portion 152, a sufficient spacing margin can be ensured between the first color conversion portion 151 and the second color conversion portion 152. Therefore, the design margin of the second cover layer 160 stacked on the second optical layer 150 between the first color conversion portion 151 and the second color conversion portion 152 can also be increased to sufficiently cover the periphery of the second optical layer 150. In addition, the light shielding wall portion 170 located between the first color conversion portion 151 and the second color conversion portion 152 can be well formed between the first color conversion portion 151 and the second color conversion portion 152. The second cover layer 160 and the well-formed light shielding wall portion 170 can effectively prevent or reduce the occurrence of luminous efficiency degradation and defects that may be caused by the inflow of moisture and / or oxygen, etc. into the first color conversion portion 151 and the second color conversion portion 152.

[0105] In addition, by reducing the area where the first color conversion portion 151 and the second color conversion portion 152 overlap with the second portion 123b of the third color filter 123, it is possible to increase the possibility that the incident light Lib that does not excite the first quantum dot 51b or the second quantum dot 52b is emitted through the color area CA by being totally reflected at the interface between the first color conversion portion 151 and the second capping layer 160 or at the interface between the second color conversion portion 152 and the second capping layer 160. Therefore, the utilization rate of the incident light Lib can be increased, and thus the light conversion efficiency of the first color conversion portion 151 and the second color conversion portion 152 can be improved.

[0106] The interval between first color conversion portion 151 and second color conversion portion 152 may be adjusted according to the expected light emission efficiency and may also be adjusted according to the expected process margin of the region where first color conversion portion 151 and second color conversion portion 152 overlap third color filter 123 .

[0107] Because the first color conversion portion 151, the second color conversion portion 152, and the light-transmitting portion 153 are spaced apart from each other, the first capping layer 140 and the second capping layer 160 may be in direct contact between the first color conversion portion 151, the second color conversion portion 152, and the light-transmitting portion 153. That is, the first color conversion portion 151, the second color conversion portion 152, and the light-transmitting portion 153 may all be encapsulated by the first capping layer 140 and the second capping layer 160.

[0108] The refractive index of the first capping layer 140 and the second capping layer 160 may be lower than the refractive index of the second optical layer 150. For example, the refractive index of the first color conversion portion 151, the second color conversion portion 152, and the light transmitting portion 153 may be about 1.5 to about 1.7, and the refractive index of the first capping layer 140 and the second capping layer 160 may be about 1.4 or less.

[0109] The first color conversion portion 151, the second color conversion portion 152, and the light-transmitting portion 153 may be spaced apart from each other by a certain distance, and the light-shielding wall portion 170 may be disposed therebetween. Therefore, color mixing between lights converted or transmitted by the first color conversion portion 151, the second color conversion portion 152, and the light-transmitting portion 153 adjacent to each other may be prevented or substantially prevented from occurring.

[0110] The light shielding wall portion 170 may have various colors including black or white. For example, the light shielding wall portion 170 may be black and may include a black matrix. The light shielding wall portion 170 may include an opaque inorganic insulating material such as chromium oxide or molybdenum oxide or an opaque organic insulating material such as black resin. The light shielding wall portion 170 may include an organic insulating material such as white resin.

[0111] In addition, the light shielding wall portion 170 may further include metal particles such as Ag or Al having excellent reflectivity. Therefore, the reflectivity of the light shielding wall portion 170 may be increased, so that the reflectivity of the incident light Lib that does not excite the first quantum dot 51b or the second quantum dot 52b may be increased, thereby reducing the incident light Lib that disappears without exciting the first quantum dot 51b or the second quantum dot 52b. Therefore, the utilization rate of the incident light Lib may be increased, and thus the light conversion efficiency of the optical filter 100 may be improved.

[0112] In addition, the filter 100 may further include a protective layer 180 covering the second optical layer 150 to provide a flat surface at the surface facing the light emitting panel 200. The protective layer 180 may be formed of a transparent organic material such as a polyimide resin or an acrylic resin. The protective layer 180 may be formed, for example, by a wet process such as slit coating or spin coating or by a dry process such as chemical vapor deposition or vacuum deposition.

[0113] According to the embodiment, an excellent capping layer and a light-shielding wall portion can be obtained by sufficiently ensuring the spacing between adjacent color conversion portions of the filter, thereby making it possible to prevent or reduce the reduction in luminous efficiency and the occurrence of defects that may occur in the color conversion portion of the filter. In addition, the utilization rate of incident light can be increased by reducing the area where the color conversion portion overlaps with a portion of a color filter, thereby making it possible to provide a filter with improved light conversion efficiency and a display device including the filter. In addition, the use of light-shielding materials can be reduced and the efficiency of its manufacturing process can be improved. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to these effects.

[0114] It should be understood that the embodiments described herein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation. The description of features or aspects in each embodiment should generally be considered to be applicable to other similar features or aspects in other embodiments. Although one or more embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope defined by the appended claims and their corresponding equivalents.

Claims

1. A filter comprising a plurality of color regions and surrounding regions adjacent to the plurality of color regions, the filter comprising: substrate; A first optical layer is located on the substrate and includes a first color filter, a second color filter, and a third color filter respectively located in a first color region, a second color region, and a third color region among the plurality of color regions; a second optical layer including a first color conversion portion overlapping the first color filter, a second color conversion portion overlapping the second color filter, and a light-transmitting portion overlapping the third color filter; as well as Light-shielding layer, The invention is characterized in that the light shielding layer includes a main body portion including a light shielding material and located in the surrounding area, and the main body portion surrounds both the first opening and the second opening. The first color region and the second color region adjacent to each other and the region between the first color region and the second color region correspond to the first opening, and The third color region corresponds to the second opening, and wherein the body portion is not formed between the first color conversion portion and the second color conversion portion.

2. The optical filter according to claim 1, characterized in that: An overlapping portion between the first color filter and the second color filter is located at the first opening.

3. The optical filter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The third color filter comprises: A first portion located in the third color region; and The second portion is located between adjacent color areas among the first color area, the second color area, and the third color area.

4. The optical filter according to claim 3, characterized in that: A first surface of the second portion directly contacts at least one of the first color filter and the second color filter.

5. The optical filter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of color regions further include an adjacent first color region adjacent to the first color region, and The main body portion of the light shielding layer further includes a branch portion located between the first color region and the adjacent first color region.

6. The optical filter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical filter further includes at least one of a first capping layer between the first optical layer and the second optical layer and a second capping layer covering the second optical layer.

7. The optical filter according to claim 6, characterized in that: The second capping layer has a refractive index lower than that of the second optical layer.

8. The optical filter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first color conversion portion, the second color conversion portion and the light-transmitting portion all include scattering particles. wherein the first color conversion portion further comprises a first quantum dot, and the second color conversion portion further comprises a second quantum dot, and The first quantum dot and the second quantum dot include the same material and have different sizes from each other.

9. The optical filter according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first color conversion portion, the second color conversion portion, and the light-transmitting portion are spaced apart from each other. The second capping layer and the first capping layer are in direct contact with each other between the first color conversion portion, the second color conversion portion, and the light-transmitting portion, and The optical filter further includes a light shielding wall portion located between the first color conversion portion, the second color conversion portion, and the light transmitting portion.

10. The optical filter according to claim 8, characterized in that: The optical filter further includes a protection layer covering the second optical layer to provide a flat surface on the second optical layer.

11. A display device, comprising: A light emitting panel for emitting light of a single color; as well as a filter including a plurality of color regions and surrounding regions adjacent to the plurality of color regions and configured to transmit the light emitted from the light emitting panel or convert the light emitted from the light emitting panel into light of a different color, Wherein, the optical filter further comprises: substrate; A first optical layer is located on the substrate and includes a first color filter, a second color filter, and a third color filter respectively located in a first color region, a second color region, and a third color region among the plurality of color regions; a second optical layer including a first color conversion portion corresponding to the first color filter, a second color conversion portion corresponding to the second color filter, and a light-transmitting portion corresponding to the third color filter; and a light-shielding layer, comprising a main body portion located in the surrounding area and comprising a light-shielding material, The first color filter and the second color filter directly contact a surface of a portion of the third color filter located between the first color area and the second color area, and wherein the body portion is not formed between the first color conversion portion and the second color conversion portion.

12. The display device according to claim 11, characterized in that: The optical filter further comprises: a plurality of the first color regions, each comprising the first color filter and the first color conversion portion overlapping each other; a plurality of the second color regions each including the second color filter and the second color conversion portion overlapping each other; and The plurality of third color regions each include the third color filter and the light-transmitting portion overlapping each other, Wherein, each of the plurality of third color regions is completely surrounded by the main body portion.

13. The display device according to claim 12, characterized in that: The plurality of color regions further include an adjacent first color region adjacent to the first color region, and the light shielding layer further includes a branch portion connected to the main body portion and located between the first color region and the adjacent first color region.

14. The display device according to claim 12, characterized in that: The third color filter comprises: a first portion located in each of the plurality of third color regions; and The second portion is located between adjacent color areas among the plurality of first color areas, the plurality of second color areas, and the plurality of third color areas.

15. The display device according to claim 14, characterized in that: The second portion of the third color filter has a grid shape in a plane.

16. The display device according to claim 11, characterized in that: The optical filter further includes at least one of a first capping layer between the first optical layer and the second optical layer and a second capping layer covering the second optical layer.

17. The display device according to claim 16, characterized in that: The second capping layer has a refractive index lower than that of the second optical layer.

18. The display device according to claim 11, characterized in that: The first color conversion portion, the second color conversion portion and the light-transmitting portion all include scattering particles. The first color conversion portion further includes a first quantum dot, and the second color conversion portion further includes a second quantum dot, and The first quantum dot and the second quantum dot include the same material and have sizes different from each other.

19. The display device according to claim 16, characterized in that: The display device further includes both the first capping layer and the second capping layer, wherein the first color conversion portion, the second color conversion portion, and the light-transmitting portion are spaced apart from each other, The second capping layer and the first capping layer are in direct contact with each other between the first color conversion portion, the second color conversion portion, and the light-transmitting portion, and The optical filter further includes a light shielding wall portion located between the first color conversion portion, the second color conversion portion, and the light transmitting portion.

20. The display device according to claim 18, characterized in that: The optical filter further includes a protection layer covering the second optical layer to provide a flat surface on the second optical layer.

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