Display device

Abstract

The display device includes: sub-pixels on a base layer, each of the sub-pixels including a light emitting element, the light emitting element including: a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light emitting structure electrically connected between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a separator protruding in a thickness direction of the base layer between the sub-pixels, and including separator structures spaced apart from each other in a plan view to define a separation region. The separation region includes one or more curved regions between the sub-pixels.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0089308 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on July 10, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a display device. Background Art

[0004] As information technology develops, the importance of a display device as a connection medium between a user and information is increasing. The display device may include a light emitting element, and sub-pixels adjacent to each other may be formed using the light emitting element.

[0005] The electrical signals provided to each of the sub-pixels adjacent to each other can be distinguished. For example, due to leakage current (e.g., side leakage) generated between the sub-pixels, there may be a risk of electrical signal crossing. Therefore, a display device capable of reducing risks such as leakage current may be desired.

[0006] The above information disclosed in this Background section is for enhancement of understanding of the background of the present disclosure and therefore it may contain information that does not constitute prior art. Summary of the invention

[0007] The cathode electrode of the light-emitting device can provide common power to the sub-pixels. For example, the cathode electrodes of the sub-pixels can be electrically connected to each other. However, a separator structure can be used so that the light-emitting units forming the light-emitting element can be distinguished from each other between sub-pixels adjacent to each other. The separator structure can physically separate the light-emitting units of sub-pixels adjacent to each other. However, in this case, the separator structure can not only physically separate the light-emitting units from each other, but also physically separate the cathode electrodes of the light-emitting element formed as common electrodes from each other. In this case, risks such as voltage drops may occur in the entire or substantially the entire area where the sub-pixels are provided.

[0008] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a display device having improved display quality by reducing a risk due to a leakage current or the like.

[0009] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a display device that can reduce risks such as voltage drop by including a cathode electrode structure.

[0010] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a display device includes: sub-pixels, each of which includes a light-emitting element on a base layer, the light-emitting element including: a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light-emitting structure electrically connected between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a separator protruding in a thickness direction of the base layer between the sub-pixels and including separator structures spaced apart from each other in a plan view to define a separation region. The separation region includes one or more curved regions between the sub-pixels.

[0011] In an embodiment, the display device may further include a light-emitting connection portion, the light-emitting connection portion includes a material that is the same as that of the light-emitting structure, and the light-emitting connection portion includes one or more light-emitting bent portions. The first electrode may include a (1-1)th electrode and a (1-2)th electrode. The light-emitting structure may include a first light-emitting structure electrically connected to the (1-1)th electrode and a second light-emitting structure electrically connected to the (1-2)th electrode. The first light-emitting structure and the second light-emitting structure may be electrically connected to each other by the light-emitting connection portion, and the separator may surround at least a portion of each of the first light-emitting structure, the second light-emitting structure and the light-emitting connection portion. The separator may include a first separator and a second separator, the first separator and the second separator are located between the first light-emitting structure and the second light-emitting structure, and are spaced apart from each other in a direction in which the first light-emitting structure and the second light-emitting structure are spaced apart from each other.

[0012] In an embodiment, the separator may further include an intermediate connecting separator connected to at least one of the first separator and the second separator, and at least a portion of each of the first separator and the second separator may extend in a direction different from the direction in which the first light emitting structure and the second light emitting structure are spaced apart from each other.

[0013] In an embodiment, the intermediate connection separator may include a first intermediate connection separator and a second intermediate connection separator. The first intermediate connection separator may be spaced apart from the second separator and may be directly connected to the first separator. The second intermediate connection separator may be spaced apart from the first separator and may be directly connected to the second separator.

[0014] In an embodiment, the display device may further include a connecting electrode, the connecting electrode including the same material as that of the second electrode, and the second electrode may include a (2-1)th electrode and a (2-2)th electrode. The connecting electrode may electrically connect the (2-1)th electrode and the (2-2)th electrode to each other, and may include one or more electrode bending portions.

[0015] In an embodiment, the light emitting connection portion may define a light emitting connection path electrically connected between the first light emitting structure and the second light emitting structure.

[0016] In an embodiment, the light emitting connection path may include: a first path between the second intermediate connection separator and the first separator; a second path between the first separator and the second separator; and a third path between the second separator and the first intermediate connection separator.

[0017] In an embodiment, the subpixel may include a first subpixel configured to emit light of a first color, a second subpixel configured to emit light of a second color, and a third subpixel configured to emit light of a third color. The first light emitting structure may be in the first subpixel, the second light emitting structure may be in the second subpixel, and the light emitting structure may further include a third light emitting structure in the third subpixel. The separator may include a (1-1)th adjacent separator and a (1-2)th adjacent separator, the (1-1)th adjacent separator and the (1-2)th adjacent separator being located between the first light emitting structure and the third light emitting structure, and being spaced apart from each other in a direction in which the first light emitting structure and the third light emitting structure are spaced apart from each other. The second intermediate connecting separator may be adjacent to the first subpixel, the second subpixel, and the third subpixel in a plan view, may be spaced apart from the (1-1)th adjacent separator, and may be directly connected to the (1-2)th adjacent separator.

[0018] In an embodiment, the separator may include a (2-1)th adjacent separator and a (2-2)th adjacent separator, the (2-1)th adjacent separator and the (2-2)th adjacent separator are located between the second light emitting structure and the third light emitting structure, and are spaced apart from each other in a direction in which the second light emitting structure and the third light emitting structure are spaced apart from each other. The second intermediate connecting separator may be spaced apart from the (2-1)th adjacent separator and may be directly connected to the (2-2)th adjacent separator.

[0019] In an embodiment, the sub-pixel may have a quadrilateral shape or a hexagonal shape in a plan view.

[0020] In an implementation, the first, second, and third light emitting structures may be electrically connected to each other, and a length of a light emitting connection path may be greater than a distance at which the first and second light emitting structures are spaced apart from each other.

[0021] In an embodiment, the display device may further include: a separation electrode including the same material as that of the second electrode, and including a first separation electrode and a second separation electrode; and a light emitting separation portion including the same material as that of the light emitting structure, and including a first light emitting separation portion and a second light emitting separation portion. The first separation electrode may be located between the (2-1)th electrode and the connecting electrode, and the second separation electrode may be located between the connecting electrode and the (2-2)th electrode. The first light emitting separation portion may be located between the first light emitting structure and the light emitting connecting portion, and the second light emitting separation portion may be located between the light emitting connecting portion and the second light emitting structure.

[0022] In an embodiment, the first light emitting separation portion may be located between the first separation member and the first separation electrode, and the second light emitting separation portion may be located between the second separation member and the second separation electrode.

[0023] In an embodiment, the separator may further include a third separator spaced apart from the first separator and the second separator in a direction in which the first separator and the second separator are spaced apart from each other.

[0024] In an embodiment, the height of the separator can be to And the first separation member and the second separation member may be spaced apart from each other by 0.3 μm to 0.4 μm.

[0025] In an embodiment, the first separator and the second separator may have different heights from each other.

[0026] In an embodiment, the display device may further include a pixel defining layer between the (1-1) electrode and the (1-2) electrode, the separator may be on the pixel defining layer, and the light emitting structure may include a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, an electron transport layer and an electron injection layer.

[0027] In an embodiment, each of the first separator and the second separator may include a main body portion and a protruding portion on the main body portion. The separator may further include a residual separator on the pixel defining layer and between the first separator and the second separator. The residual separator may have a height lower than that of the first separator and the second separator, and the residual separator may include the same material as that of the main body portion.

[0028] In an implementation, the residual separation member may include a material different from a material of a layer located at an uppermost portion of the pixel defining layer.

[0029] In an embodiment, the display device may further include: a display area and a non-display area surrounding at least a portion of the display area; a pixel circuit layer including a base layer and a pixel circuit electrically connected to the first electrode; a first power line on the base layer and electrically connected to the pixel circuit; and a second power line on the base layer and in the non-display area, the second power line being electrically connected to the second electrode. The second electrode and the second power line may be electrically connected to each other in an area adjacent to the display area and the non-display area.

[0030] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a display device includes: sub-pixels on a base layer, and including a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel; and a connecting electrode on the base layer. Each of the sub-pixels includes a light-emitting element on the base layer, the light-emitting element including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light-emitting structure electrically connected between the first electrode and the second electrode. The second electrode includes a (2-1)th electrode in the first sub-pixel and a (2-2)th electrode in the second sub-pixel. The connecting electrode is integrated with the (2-1)th electrode and the (2-2)th electrode, the connecting electrode electrically connects the (2-1)th electrode and the (2-2)th electrode to each other, and the connecting electrode includes one or more electrode bending portions.

[0031] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a display device includes: sub-pixels, on a base layer, and including a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel; and a light-emitting connection portion, on the base layer. Each of the sub-pixels includes a light-emitting element on the base layer, the light-emitting element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light-emitting structure electrically connected between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the light-emitting structure includes a first light-emitting structure in the first sub-pixel and a second light-emitting structure in the second sub-pixel. The light-emitting connection portion is integrated with the first light-emitting structure and the second light-emitting structure to connect the first light-emitting structure and the second light-emitting structure to each other, and includes one or more light-emitting bent portions.

[0032] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a display device with improved display quality may be provided by reducing risks due to leakage current and the like.

[0033] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a display device that can reduce risks such as voltage drop by including a cathode electrode structure can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The above and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description of exemplary, non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0035] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view showing a display device according to an embodiment;

[0036] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a display device according to an embodiment;

[0037] Figure 3 and Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a light emitting element according to one or more embodiments;

[0038] Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram showing an electrical connection structure for a light emitting element according to an embodiment;

[0039] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 1 A schematic enlarged view of area EA1;

[0040] Figures 7 to 13 is a schematic plan view showing a display device according to one or more embodiments; and

[0041] Figures 14 to 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to one or more embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Hereinafter, 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 implemented in various different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments shown 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 not necessary for those of ordinary skill in the art to fully understand the aspects and features of the present disclosure may not be described. Unless otherwise stated, in all drawings and throughout the written description, the same reference numerals represent the same elements, and therefore, their redundant descriptions may not be repeated.

[0043] When a certain embodiment can be implemented differently, the specific process order may be different from the described order. For example, two processes described successively may be performed simultaneously or substantially simultaneously, or may be performed in the reverse order of the described order.

[0044] In the accompanying drawings, for the sake of clarity, the relative size, thickness and ratio of elements, layers and regions can be exaggerated and / or simplified. For ease of explanation, spatial relative terms such as "below", "below", "below", "below", "above", "on" etc. can be used herein to describe the relationship between an element or feature and another (some) element or feature as shown in the drawings. It will be understood that, in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings, spatial relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or in operation. For example, if the device in the drawings is flipped, the element described as being "below" or "below" or "below" of other elements or features will be oriented "above" other elements or features. Therefore, the exemplary terms "below" and "below" can include both above and below orientations. The device can be oriented in other ways (for example, rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

[0045] In the drawings, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis are not limited to the three axes of the rectangular coordinate system and can be interpreted in a broader sense. For example, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis can be perpendicular to each other or substantially perpendicular to each other, or can represent different directions that are not perpendicular to each other.

[0046] It will be understood that although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Therefore, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, the first element, first component, first region, first layer or first section described below may be referred to as the second element, second component, second region, second layer or second section.

[0047] It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, directly connected to, or directly coupled to the other element or layer, or there may be one or more intervening elements or layers. Similarly, when a layer, region, or element is referred to as being "electrically connected to" another layer, region, or element, it may be directly electrically connected to the other layer, region, or element, and / or may be indirectly electrically connected with one or more intervening layers, regions, or elements therebetween. Furthermore, it will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "between" two elements or layers, it may be the only element or layer between the two elements or layers, or there may also be one or more intervening elements or layers.

[0048] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, as used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" are intended to include the plural forms as well. It will also be understood that when used in this specification, the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", "has", "have" and "having" specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not preclude the presence of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof. The existence or addition of a component and / or its group. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items. For example, the expression "A and / or B" means A, B, or A and B. When a statement such as "at least one of..." is located after a list of elements, the entire list of elements is modified, and the individual elements in the list are not modified. For example, the expressions "at least one of a, b or c", "at least one of a, b and c", and "at least one selected from the group consisting of a, b and c" mean 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.

[0049] As used herein, the terms "substantially," "about," and similar terms are used as approximate terms and not as terms of degree, and are intended to allow for inherent deviations in measurements or calculations that will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. In addition, 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 terms "use," "using," and "used" may be considered synonymous with the terms "utilize," "utilizing," and "utilized," respectively.

[0050] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. It will also be understood that 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 unless explicitly defined as such herein.

[0051] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view showing a display device according to an embodiment.

[0052] The display device DD is configured to emit light. The display device DD includes a light emitting element LD (see, for example, Figure 3 and Figure 4 ). According to the embodiment, the display device DD may be provided in various suitable forms. For example, the display device DD may be applied to a smart phone, a notebook, a tablet personal computer (PC), a wearable device (e.g., a head-mounted device, a smart watch, smart glasses, etc.), a television, an infotainment system for a vehicle, etc.

[0053] refer to Figure 1 The display device DD may include a base layer BSL and pixels PXL disposed on the base layer BSL. The display device DD may further include a driving circuit unit (eg, a driving circuit such as a scan driver and a data driver), lines, and pads for driving the pixels PXL.

[0054] The display device DD may include a display area DA and a non-display area NDA. The non-display area NDA may refer to an area other than the display area DA. The non-display area NDA may surround at least a portion of the display area DA (eg, around the periphery of the display area DA).

[0055] The base layer BSL may form a base member of the display device DD. The base layer BSL may be a rigid or flexible substrate or film.

[0056] According to an embodiment, the base layer BSL may be a rigid substrate formed of glass or tempered glass, a flexible substrate (or thin film) of a plastic or metal material, or at least one insulating layer. The base layer BSL may include a silicon wafer.

[0057] However, the material and / or physical properties of the base layer BSL are not particularly limited thereto. According to an embodiment, the base layer BSL may be transparent or substantially transparent. Here, "transparent or substantially transparent" may mean that light can be transmitted at a level of transmittance or higher. In another embodiment, the base layer BSL may be translucent or opaque. In addition, according to an embodiment, the base layer BSL may include a reflective material.

[0058] The display area DA may refer to an area where the pixels PXL are disposed. The non-display area NDA may refer to an area where the pixels PXL are not disposed. A driving circuit unit, lines, and pads connected to the pixels PXL of the display area DA may be disposed in the non-display area NDA.

[0059] According to embodiments, the pixels PXL (or sub-pixels SPX) may be arranged in various suitable structures. For example, the pixels PXL (or sub-pixels SPX) may be arranged in a stripe (e.g., S-stripe) structure, a RGBG (e.g., (which is an officially registered trademark of Samsung Display Co., LTD.) arrangement structure, etc. According to an embodiment, the sizes of the sub-pixels SPX may be partially different from each other, and the sub-pixels SPX may have various suitable shapes. For example, the sub-pixels SPX may have a quadrilateral shape or a hexagonal shape in a plan view. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the pixel PXL includes a light emitting element LD (eg, see Figure 3 and Figure 4 ). The pixel PXL (or sub-pixel SPX) may include a first sub-pixel SPX1, a second sub-pixel SPX2, and a third sub-pixel SPX3. At least one of the first sub-pixel SPX1, the second sub-pixel SPX2, and the third sub-pixel SPX3 may form one pixel unit PXU configured to emit light of various colors.

[0061] For example, each of the first sub-pixel SPX1, the second sub-pixel SPX2, and the third sub-pixel SPX3 may emit light of a corresponding color. For example, the first sub-pixel SPX1 may be a pixel (e.g., a red pixel) for emitting light of a first color (e.g., red), the second sub-pixel SPX2 may be a pixel (e.g., a green pixel) for emitting light of a second color (e.g., green), and the third sub-pixel SPX3 may be a pixel (e.g., a blue pixel) for emitting light of a third color (e.g., blue). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the colors, types, quantities, etc. of the first sub-pixel SPX1, the second sub-pixel SPX2, and the third sub-pixel SPX3 configuring each pixel unit PXU are not limited thereto.

[0062] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a display device according to an embodiment. Figure 3 and Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a light emitting element according to one or more embodiments.

[0063] refer to Figures 2 to 4 , the display device DD may include a pixel circuit layer PCL and a light emitting element layer LEL.

[0064] The pixel circuit layer PCL may include a pixel circuit PXC (eg, referring to Figure 5 ). The pixel circuit layer PCL may include a base layer BSL, a conductive layer for forming the pixel circuit PXC, and an insulating layer disposed between the conductive layers.

[0065] According to an embodiment, the pixel circuit PXC may include a thin film transistor, and may be electrically connected to the light emitting element LD to provide an electrical signal to the light emitting element LD to emit light.

[0066] According to an embodiment, the circuit elements (e.g., transistors) forming the pixel circuit PXC may include various suitable semiconductor materials. For example, the semiconductor material may include one or more from the group including polysilicon, low temperature polysilicon (LTPS), amorphous silicon and / or oxide semiconductors. According to an embodiment, the oxide semiconductor may include indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO).

[0067] The light emitting element layer LEL may be disposed on the pixel circuit layer PCL. According to an embodiment, the light emitting element layer LEL may include a light emitting element LD, a pixel defining layer PDL, and an encapsulation layer TFE.

[0068] The light emitting element LD may be disposed on the pixel circuit layer PCL. According to an embodiment, the light emitting element LD may include a first electrode ELT1, a light emitting unit (e.g., a light emitting structure) EL, and a second electrode ELT2. According to an embodiment, the light emitting unit EL may be disposed in an area defined by the pixel defining layer PDL. One surface of the light emitting unit EL may be electrically connected to the first electrode ELT1, and the other surface of the light emitting unit EL may be electrically connected to the second electrode ELT2.

[0069] The first electrode ELT1 may be an anode electrode ANO for the light emitting unit EL, and the second electrode ELT2 may be a cathode electrode CAT for the light emitting unit EL. According to an embodiment, the first electrode ELT1 and the second electrode ELT2 may include a conductive material. For example, the conductive material may include one or more from a group including gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), copper (Cu) and / or platinum (Pt). As another example, according to an embodiment, the conductive material may include one or more from a group including silver nanowires (AgNW), indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO), antimony zinc oxide (AZO), indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), tin oxide (SnO 2 ), one or more of the group of carbon nanotubes and / or graphene. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0070] According to an embodiment, the second electrode ELT2 may be manufactured by being deposited on the entire or substantially the entire surface of the display area DA. Therefore, the power supplied to the second electrode ELT2 may be supplied to each of the sub-pixels SPX. In this case, the second electrode ELT2 may include a metal material having a relatively low resistance, so that the influence of the resistance of the second electrode ELT2 may be reduced. Therefore, in an embodiment, the second electrode ELT2 may include silver (Ag) or magnesium (Mg) without including aluminum (Al).

[0071] The light emitting unit EL may have a multi-layer thin film structure including a light generating layer (eg, a light emitting layer EML).

[0072] According to the implementation mode, reference Figure 3 , the light-emitting unit EL may include a hole injection layer HIL for injecting holes, a hole transport layer HTL, a light-emitting layer EML, an electron transport layer ETL, and an electron injection layer EIL. The hole transport layer HTL may have excellent hole transport properties, and may increase the chance of recombination of holes and electrons by suppressing the movement of unbound electrons in the light-emitting layer EML. The light-emitting layer EML may include a host and a dopant, and may emit light by recombination of injected electrons and holes (e.g., by forming excitons). The electron transport layer ETL may smoothly transfer electrons to the light-emitting layer EML, and the electron injection layer EIL may inject electrons.

[0073] According to the implementation mode, reference Figure 4 The light emitting unit EL may have a tandem structure. For example, the light emitting unit EL may include a first sub-light emitting unit EL_S1, a second sub-light emitting unit EL_S2, a third sub-light emitting unit EL_S3, and a charge generation layer CGL. The charge generation layer CGL may include a first charge generation layer CGL1 and a second charge generation layer CGL2.

[0074] The first sub-light emitting unit EL_S1 may emit light of a first color and may be disposed between the second electrode ELT2 and the first charge generation layer CGL1. The first sub-light emitting unit EL_S1 may include a first hole transport layer HTL1, a first auxiliary hole transport layer R'-G'1, a first light emitting layer EML1, a first buffer layer BFL1, a first electron transport layer ETL1, and an electron injection layer EIL. The first auxiliary hole transport layer R'-G'1 may adjust the resonance period of the provided light.

[0075] The second sub-light emitting unit EL_S2 may emit light of a second color and may be disposed between the first charge generation layer CGL1 and the second charge generation layer CGL2. The second sub-light emitting unit EL_S2 may include a second hole transport layer HTL2, a second auxiliary hole transport layer R'-G'2, a second light emitting layer EML2, a second buffer layer BFL2, and a second electron transport layer ETL2. The second auxiliary hole transport layer R'-G'2 may adjust the resonance period of the provided light.

[0076] The third sub-light emitting unit EL_S3 may emit light of a third color and may be disposed between the first electrode ELT1 and the second charge generation layer CGL2. The third sub-light emitting unit EL_S3 may include a hole injection layer HIL, a third hole transport layer HTL3, a blue auxiliary layer BIL, a third light emitting layer EML3, a third buffer layer BFL3, and a third electron transport layer ETL3. The blue auxiliary layer BIL may improve light generation efficiency by adjusting hole-electron charge balance.

[0077] The buffer layers BFL1 , BFL2 , and BFL3 may block injection of holes from the light emitting layers EML1 , EML2 , and EML3 to the electron transport layers ETL1 , ELT2 , and ELT3 , and may enhance injection of electrons.

[0078] The charge generation layer CGL may transfer electrons or holes from adjacent sub-light emitting units EL_S1, EL_S2, and EL_S3. The first charge generation layer CGL1 may be disposed between the first sub-light emitting unit EL_S1 and the second sub-light emitting unit EL_S2. The first charge generation layer CGL1 may include a first N-type charge generation layer N-CGL1 and a first P-type charge generation layer P-CGL1. The second charge generation layer CGL2 may be disposed between the second sub-light emitting unit EL_S2 and the third sub-light emitting unit EL_S3. The second charge generation layer CGL2 may include a second N-type charge generation layer N-CGL2 and a second P-type charge generation layer P-CGL2.

[0079] According to an embodiment, the light emitting layer EML may be a quantum dot light emitting layer. However, the material used to form the light emitting unit EL is not limited thereto.

[0080] According to an embodiment, the light emitting unit EL may emit light based on an electrical signal provided from the anode electrode ANO (eg, the first electrode ELT1 ) and the cathode electrode CAT (eg, the second electrode ELT2 ).

[0081] According to an embodiment, the light emitting element LD may further include a capping layer CPL disposed on the second electrode ELT2. The capping layer CPL may passivate other portions of the light emitting element LD (e.g., the second electrode ELT2). The capping layer CPL may include an inorganic material. For example, the capping layer CPL may include one or more of a metal or a metal compound.

[0082] The pixel defining layer PDL may be disposed on the pixel circuit layer PCL to define a position where the light emitting unit EL is arranged.

[0083] According to an embodiment, the pixel defining layer PDL may include an inorganic material. For example, the inorganic material may include a material derived from silicon oxide (SiO x ) and silicon nitride (SiN xAccording to an embodiment, the pixel defining layer PDL may have a structure in which silicon oxide (SiO x ) layer and silicon nitride (SiN x )'s multilayer structure.

[0084] For example, the pixel defining layer PDL may include a first pixel defining layer PDL1, a second pixel defining layer PDL2 on the first pixel defining layer PDL1, and a third pixel defining layer PDL3 on the second pixel defining layer PDL2. The first pixel defining layer PDL1 and the third pixel defining layer PDL3 may include silicon oxide (SiO x ), and the second pixel defining layer PDL2 may include silicon nitride (SiN x ).

[0085] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the pixel defining layer PDL may include an organic material. For example, the organic material may include one or more from the group including acrylic resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, polyamide resin and / or polyimide resin.

[0086] In another embodiment, the pixel defining layer PDL may have a structure in which an organic material and an inorganic material are alternately disposed on each other.

[0087] The encapsulation layer TFE may be disposed on the light emitting element LD (e.g., disposed on the second electrode ELT2). The encapsulation layer TFE may offset the step difference that may be generated by the light emitting element LD and the pixel defining layer PDL. The encapsulation layer TFE may include a plurality of insulating layers covering the light emitting element LD. According to an embodiment, the encapsulation layer TFE may have a structure in which an inorganic layer and an organic layer are alternately stacked. According to an embodiment, the encapsulation layer TFE may be a thin film encapsulation layer.

[0088] According to an embodiment, the display device DD may further include one or more additional layers (eg, a window, etc.) disposed on the light emitting element layer LEL. According to an embodiment, the display device DD may further include a color filter layer and / or a quantum dot layer disposed on the light emitting element layer LEL.

[0089] According to an embodiment, the light emitting element layer LEL may further include a separator SEP (eg, referring to FIG. 1 ) which physically separates the light emitting units EL of adjacent sub-pixels SPX different from each other. Figure 7 ). The separator SEP is described in more detail below.

[0090] Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram showing an electrical connection structure for a light emitting element according to an embodiment. Figure 5An electrical connection structure including a pixel circuit PXC corresponding to a sub-pixel SPX may be shown. Figure 6 It is shown Figure 1 Schematic enlargement of area EA1. Figure 6 Schematic plan view showing the connection relationship between the second power line PL2 and the second electrode ELT2 according to the embodiment. Figure 6 A structure in which the second electrode ELT2 is electrically connected to the second power line PL2 formed in the non-display area NDA may be shown.

[0091] refer to Figure 5 , the sub-pixel SPX may include a pixel circuit PXC configured to drive the light emitting element LD.

[0092] The pixel circuit PXC may include one or more circuit elements. For example, the pixel circuit PXC may include three transistors and a storage capacitor. For example, the pixel circuit PXC may include a driving transistor, a switching transistor, and a storage capacitor. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0093] The pixel circuit PXC may be electrically connected to the scan line SL and the data line DL. According to an embodiment, the scan line SL may provide a scan signal to the pixel circuit PXC and may be electrically connected to a gate electrode of a switching transistor of the pixel circuit PXC. The light emitting element LD may emit light corresponding to a data signal provided from the data line DL.

[0094] The pixel circuit PXC may be electrically connected to the first power line PL1 and the second power line PL2. For example, the first electrode ELT1 of the light emitting element LD may be electrically connected to the pixel circuit PXC and the first power line PL1, and the second electrode ELT2 of the light emitting element LD may be electrically connected to the second power line PL2. The first power line PL1 and the second power line PL2 may be disposed on the base layer BSL.

[0095] The power from the first power line PL1 and the power from the second power line PL2 may have different potentials from each other. For example, the power of the first power line PL1 may be a high potential pixel power as power received from the first voltage potential VDD, and the power of the second power line PL2 may be a low potential pixel power as power received from the second voltage potential VSS. The potential difference between the power of the first power line PL1 and the power of the second power line PL2 may be set to a threshold voltage of the light emitting element LD or a higher voltage.

[0096] The first power line PL1 may be electrically connected to the pixel circuit PXC (eg, electrically connected to the driving transistor). The second power line PL2 may be electrically connected to the cathode electrode CAT (eg, the second electrode ELT2) of the light emitting element LD.

[0097] According to an embodiment, the second power line PL2 may be electrically connected to the second electrode ELT2. Figure 6 as well as Figure 5 , the second electrode ELT2 may receive the power of the second power line PL2 through the second power line PL2 provided in the non-display area NDA. For example, the second electrode ELT2 in the display area DA may be adjacent to the second power line PL2, and an area where the display area DA and the non-display area NDA are adjacent to each other may be interposed between the second electrode ELT2 and the second power line PL2. The second electrode ELT2 adjacent to the outside of the display area DA may be electrically connected to the second power line PL2 in the non-display area NDA. As described above, since the second electrodes ELT2 in the display area DA are electrically connected to each other, the power provided by the second power line PL2 may be applied to the entire display area DA.

[0098] Each light emitting element LD may be connected between the first power line PL1 and the second power line PL2 in the forward direction to form each effective light source. The effective light sources may be aggregated to configure the light emitting element LD of the sub-pixel SPX.

[0099] The light emitting element LD may emit light having a brightness corresponding to the driving current provided by the pixel circuit PXC. During each frame period, the pixel circuit PXC may provide the light emitting element LD with a driving current corresponding to the data signal. The light emitting element LD may emit light having a brightness corresponding to the current flowing therethrough.

[0100] In the following, reference Figures 7 to 18 The display device DD including the separator SEP according to one or more embodiments is described in more detail. Hereinafter, redundant descriptions with respect to the descriptions of the above-mentioned embodiments may be simplified or not described.

[0101] Figures 7 to 13 is a schematic plan view showing a display device according to one or more embodiments. Figures 14 to 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to one or more embodiments.

[0102] Figures 7 to 18 A portion of the display area DA is shown. Figures 7 to 9 The positional relationship on a plane (eg, in a plan view) between the light emitting unit EL divided to form the sub-pixel SPX and the separation member SEP is shown. Fig.10 The positional relationship between the second electrode ELT2 and the connection electrode CELT on a plane (for example, in a plan view) is shown. Figure 7 and Fig.10 Different configurations of the same area of ​​the portion provided in the display area DA are shown respectively. Figure 7 and Fig.10 , showing the positional relationship among the light emitting unit EL, the separator SEP, the second electrode ELT2 and the connecting electrode CELT.

[0103] According to an embodiment, the light emitting unit EL, the separator SEP, the second electrode ELT2, and the connection electrode CELT may be disposed in the display area DA.

[0104] Each of the light emitting units EL may be disposed in a corresponding region surrounded by the separator SEP (e.g., a corresponding region around the periphery of the separator SEP). The light emitting unit EL may include a first light emitting unit EL1 forming a first sub-pixel SPX1 for emitting light of a first color, a second light emitting unit EL2 forming a second sub-pixel SPX2 for emitting light of a second color, and a third light emitting unit EL3 forming a third sub-pixel SPX3 for emitting light of a third color. According to an embodiment, the light emitting layer EML of the first light emitting unit EL1 may be a first light emitting layer EML1 including a first material, the light emitting layer EML of the second light emitting unit EL2 may be a second light emitting layer EML2 including a second material, and the light emitting layer EML of the third light emitting unit EL3 may be a third light emitting layer EML3 including a third material.

[0105] For example, the light emitting unit EL may be disposed in a partial region of the display area DA to define regions from which lights of different colors are respectively emitted. According to an embodiment, the first light emitting unit EL1 may form a first light emitting element for emitting light of a first color, the second light emitting unit EL2 may form a second light emitting element for emitting light of a second color, and the third light emitting unit EL3 may form a third light emitting element for emitting light of a third color.

[0106] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. According to an embodiment, the light emitting unit EL may include a tandem structure and may emit white light.

[0107] The separator SEP may be disposed around each of the light emitting units EL (e.g., disposed adjacent to each of the light emitting units EL). The separator SEP may surround at least a portion of each of the light emitting units EL in a plan view (e.g., around the periphery of at least a portion of each of the light emitting units EL). The separator SEP may be disposed in a boundary region between adjacent light emitting units EL (or sub-pixels SPX). For example, the separator SEP may be disposed between the first sub-pixel SPX1 and the second sub-pixel SPX2, between the first sub-pixel SPX1 and the third sub-pixel SPX3, and between the second sub-pixel SPX2 and the third sub-pixel SPX3.

[0108] According to an embodiment, the separator SEP may include a plurality of structures for forming a maze structure. For example, the separator SEP may include a first separator SEP1, a second separator SEP2, a (1-1)th adjacent separator SEP1-1, a (1-2)th adjacent separator SEP1-2, a (2-1)th adjacent separator SEP2-1, a (2-2)th adjacent separator SEP2-2, and an intermediate connecting separator MSEP, which are described in more detail below.

[0109] As described above, the sub-pixels SPX may be arranged in various suitable structures. Figure 7 , the first sub-pixel SPX1 and the second sub-pixel SPX2 may be arranged along the first pixel column along the second direction DR2, and the third sub-pixel SPX3 may be arranged along the second pixel column along the second direction DR2. In this case, the size of the third sub-pixel SPX3 may be larger than the size of the first sub-pixel SPX1 and the size of the second sub-pixel SPX2. As another example, referring to Figure 8 , each of the first sub-pixel SPX1 , the second sub-pixel SPX2 , and the third sub-pixel SPX3 may have a hexagonal shape. The first sub-pixel SPX1 , the second sub-pixel SPX2 , and the third sub-pixel SPX3 may be arranged in sequence.

[0110] The second electrode ELT2 may be disposed in the display area DA. The second electrode ELT2 may be disposed in a region where each corresponding sub-pixel SPX (or light emitting unit EL) is disposed.

[0111] The connection electrode CELT may be disposed in the display area DA. The second electrode ELT2 and the connection electrode CELT may be formed together in the same or substantially the same process. For example, the second electrode ELT2 and the connection electrode CELT may be deposited in the same or substantially the same process as each other, and therefore, may include the same material as each other. The second electrode ELT2 and the connection electrode CELT may be formed integrally with each other. For example, the connection electrode CELT may be connected to the (2-1)th electrode ELT2-1 (refer to Fig.15 ) and the (2-2) electrode ELT2-2 (refer to Fig.15 ) are integrated to electrically connect the (2-1)th electrode ELT2-1 and the (2-2)th electrode ELT2-2.

[0112] The connection electrode CELT may electrically connect the second electrodes ELT2 adjacent to each other. For example, the connection electrode CELT may electrically connect the second electrode ELT2 disposed on one side of the connection electrode CELT and the second electrode ELT2 disposed on the other side of the connection electrode CELT to each other. Therefore, the power provided by the second power line PL2 may be provided to the second electrodes ELT2 disposed in two or more areas of the display area DA.

[0113] refer to Figures 11 to 18 , showing the multiple separation structures of the separation piece SEP in more detail.

[0114] Figures 11 to 18 The configuration of the light emitting element layer LEL in a region where the first sub-pixel SPX1 and the second sub-pixel SPX2 are adjacent to each other is shown. Figures 11 to 13 Configurations in the same region as each other are shown. Fig.14 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating layers forming a separation member SEP and a light emitting unit EL adjacent thereto according to an embodiment. Fig.15 It is along Figures 11 to 13 A schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA'. Figures 16 to 18 is shown in Fig.15 Schematic cross-sectional view of the partially modified implementation structure at the corresponding position.

[0115] Fig.11 The separation piece SEP disposed in a region in the display area DA is shown. Fig.12 The second electrode ELT2 , the connection electrode CELT, and the separation electrode SELT provided in the area in the display area DA are shown. Fig.13 The light emitting unit EL, the light emitting connecting portion CEL, and the light emitting separating portion SEL provided in an area in the display area DA are shown. Fig.14 The pixel defining layer PDL, the separator SEP, the light emitting unit EL, and the second electrode ELT2 disposed in a region in the display area DA are shown. Fig.15 and Fig.18 A first electrode ELT1, a pixel defining layer PDL, a light emitting unit EL, a separator SEP, a light emitting connecting portion CEL, a light emitting separating portion SEL, a second electrode ELT2, a connecting electrode CELT and a separating electrode SELT on a base layer BSL are shown in an area where a first subpixel SPX1 and a second subpixel SPX2 are adjacent to each other.

[0116] According to an embodiment, the separator SEP may have a structure in which at least a portion of the separator SEP protrudes in a plane direction. Therefore, the separator SEP may separate the adjacent light emitting unit EL and the light emitting separation portion SEL from each other, and may separate the adjacent second electrode ELT2 and the separation electrode SELT from each other.

[0117] For example, the separation member SEP may include a main body portion SEP_B and a protruding portion SEP_T. The protruding portion SEP_T may be disposed on the main body portion SEP_B and may protrude in one direction to form a tip structure. When the protruding portion SEP_T is formed and a material for forming the light emitting unit EL and the second electrode ELT2 is deposited, a structure in which some layers are spaced apart from each other may be formed. For example, in the same manner as in the above reference Figure 4 The described embodiments of the light emitting unit EL correspond to Fig.14 , an embodiment in which the light emitting unit EL includes a first sub-light emitting unit EL_S1, a second sub-light emitting unit EL_S2, a third sub-light emitting unit EL_S3, and a charge generation layer CGL is shown. Fig.14 , it can be seen that some layers are spaced apart from each other near the protruding portion SEP_T.

[0118] According to an embodiment, the body portion SEP_B may include silicon nitride (SiN x The protruding portion SEP_T may include silicon oxide (SiO x ). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0119] According to an embodiment, the separator SEP may form a plurality of separation structures (e.g., separator structures), and the plurality of separation structures may be spaced apart from each other to define a separation area SA. The separation area SA may include an area between a portion of the separator SEP and another portion of the separator SEP. The separator SEP may include two or more separators spaced apart from each other in a direction in which the sub-pixels SPX are spaced apart from each other (e.g., in a first direction DR1). For example, the separator SEP may include a first separator SEP1 and a second separator SEP2.

[0120] However, the number of separation pieces SEP used to form a plurality of separation structures is not particularly limited thereto. Fig. 9 As shown in , by further including the third separator SEP3, the separator SEP may include three spaced-apart separators. For convenience, the embodiment will be described in more detail below based on the assumption that the separator SEP includes the first separator SEP1 and the second separator SEP2.

[0121] In addition, based on the structural relationship between the separator SEP and the first sub-pixel SPX1 and the second sub-pixel SPX2, the structural relationship between the separator SEP and the sub-pixel SPX is described in more detail below. However, the features described in more detail below may also be defined between the first sub-pixel SPX1 and the third sub-pixel SPX3, and may also be defined between the second sub-pixel SPX2 and the third sub-pixel SPX3.

[0122] The first separator SEP1 and the second separator SEP2 may be disposed between the sub-pixels SPX. The first separator SEP1 and the second separator SEP2 may be disposed between the first light emitting unit EL1 and the second light emitting unit EL2.

[0123] According to an embodiment, the first separator SEP1 and the second separator SEP2 may be spaced apart from each other and the separation area SA is interposed between the first separator SEP1 and the second separator SEP2. For example, the first separator SEP1 may be disposed between the separation area SA and the first sub-pixel SPX1 (or the first light-emitting unit EL1). The second separator SEP2 may be disposed between the separation area SA and the second sub-pixel SPX2 (or the second light-emitting unit EL2). For example, the first separator SEP1 and the second separator SEP2 may be disposed between the first sub-pixel SPX1 and the second sub-pixel SPX2. The first separator SEP1 and the second separator SEP2 may be spaced apart from each other in a direction in which the first sub-pixel SPX1 and the second sub-pixel SPX2 are spaced apart from each other (for example, in the first direction DR1). The first separator SEP1 may be disposed on one side of the separation area SA, and the second separator SEP2 may be disposed on the other side of the separation area SA.

[0124] According to an embodiment, the separator SEP may include an intermediate connection separator MSEP. According to an embodiment, the intermediate connection separator MSEP may be directly adjacent to all of the first sub-pixel SPX1, the second sub-pixel SPX2, and the third sub-pixel SPX3. For example, the intermediate connection separator MSEP may be disposed in a region adjacent to all of the first sub-pixel SPX1, the second sub-pixel SPX2, and the third sub-pixel SPX3.

[0125] According to an embodiment, a portion of the separator SEP (eg, the first separator SEP1 , the second separator SEP2 , etc.) protruding from the middle connection separator MSEP may be disposed between the sub-pixels SPX adjacent to each other.

[0126] According to an embodiment, the middle connection separator MSEP may be spaced apart from a portion of the separator SEP disposed between the sub-pixels SPX adjacent to each other and may be connected to another portion.

[0127] According to an embodiment, the middle connection separator MSEP may be spaced apart from a portion of the separator SEP disposed between the first sub-pixel SPX1 and the second sub-pixel SPX2 and may be connected to another portion.

[0128] According to an embodiment, the intermediate connection separator MSEP may include a first intermediate connection separator MSEP1 and a second intermediate connection separator MSEP2. The first intermediate connection separator MSEP1 may be disposed on one side of a region between the first sub-pixel SPX1 and the second sub-pixel SPX2 and may be connected to the first separator SEP1 while being spaced apart from the second separator SEP2. The second intermediate connection separator MSEP2 may be disposed on the other side of a region between the first sub-pixel SPX1 and the second sub-pixel SPX2 and may be connected to the second separator SEP2 while being spaced apart from the first separator SEP1.

[0129] According to an embodiment, the intermediate connection separator MSEP may be spaced apart from a portion of the separator SEP disposed between the first sub-pixel SPX1 and the third sub-pixel SPX3, and may be connected to another portion. For example, the second intermediate connection separator MSEP2 may be spaced apart from the (1-1)th adjacent separator SEP1-1 defined between the first sub-pixel SPX1 and the third sub-pixel SPX3, and may be connected to the (1-2)th adjacent separator SEP1-2 defined between the first sub-pixel SPX1 and the third sub-pixel SPX3.

[0130] According to an embodiment, the intermediate connection separator MSEP may be connected to a portion of the separator SEP disposed between the second sub-pixel SPX2 and the third sub-pixel SPX3. For example, the second intermediate connection separator MSEP2 may be spaced apart from the (2-1)th adjacent separator SEP2-1 defined between the second sub-pixel SPX2 and the third sub-pixel SPX3, and may be connected to the (2-2)th adjacent separator SEP2-2 defined between the second sub-pixel SPX2 and the third sub-pixel SPX3.

[0131] According to an embodiment, the separator SEP may form a maze-shaped structure. For example, the separation area SA may include one or more curved areas BA. The number of curved areas BA formed in the separation area SA between the adjacent sub-pixels SPX is not particularly limited. According to an embodiment, the separator SEP may have a structure in which at least a portion thereof is bent, and thus a curved area BA may be formed. For example, the separation area SA may include a first separation area SA1 defined between the first separator SEP1 and the second intermediate connection separator MSEP2, a second separation area SA2 defined between the first separator SEP1 and the second separator SEP2, and a third separation area SA3 defined between the second separator SEP2 and the first intermediate connection separator MSEP1. The first separation area SA1 and the second separation area SA2 may extend in different directions from each other, and may form a curved area BA. For example, the area in which the first separation area SA1 and the second separation area SA2 are adjacent to each other may be defined as a curved area BA. The second separation area SA2 and the third separation area SA3 may extend in different directions from each other, and may form a curved area BA. For example, the area in which the second separation area SA2 and the third separation area SA3 are adjacent to each other may be defined as a curved area BA.

[0132] At least a portion of each of the first separator SEP1 and the second separator SEP2 may extend in a direction different from the direction in which the first sub-pixel SPX1 and the second sub-pixel SPX2 are spaced apart from each other (e.g., in the second direction DR2). The separation area SA may be disposed in an area in which the first separator SEP1 and the second separator SEP2 are not disposed. For example, the separation area SA may be formed along an area in which the separator SEP is not disposed.

[0133] According to the embodiments (for example, reference Fig.15 and Fig.16 ), the first separation piece SEP1 and the second separation piece SEP2 may have the same or substantially the same height as each other. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In another embodiment (for example, referring to Fig.17 and Fig.18 ), the first separation piece SEP1 and the second separation piece SEP2 may have different heights from each other.

[0134] According to an embodiment, the separator SEP may have a width W and a height H. The width W of the separator SEP may be defined based on a direction in which the sub-pixels SPX are spaced apart from each other. The height H of the separator SEP may be defined based on a thickness direction of the base layer BSL or a normal direction of a plane on which the base layer BSL is disposed.

[0135] According to an embodiment, the height H may be For example, the height H may be about or greater, and the height H can be to According to an embodiment, the separator SEP has In the case of a height H of 100 or more, when depositing a layer for forming the light emitting unit EL, the light emitting separation portion SEL and the light emitting unit EL may be physically separated from each other. , the thickness of the light emitting element layer LEL may increase excessively.

[0136] According to an embodiment, when the first separation piece SEP1 has a height H greater than a height H of the second separation piece SEP2, the first separation piece SEP1 may have to , and the second separation piece SEP2 may have a height smaller than that of the first separation piece SEP1. For example, the second separation piece SEP2 may have a height H smaller than that of the first separation piece SEP1. to According to an embodiment, the height H of the second separation member SEP2 may be less than

[0137] According to an embodiment, the ratio of the height H to the width W may be about 1.2 to about 1.8. For example, the ratio of the height H to the width W may be about 1.5. Within the above numerical range, the separation electrode SELT and the light emitting separation portion SEL spaced apart from other layers may be formed while ensuring an area for forming the connection electrode CELT and the light emitting connection portion CEL.

[0138] The separation area SA may connect the areas where the sub-pixels SPX are formed to each other. For example, the separation area SA may connect the area where the first sub-pixel SPX1 is formed and the area where the second sub-pixel SPX2 is formed to each other. The separation area SA may connect the area where the first light emitting unit EL1 is disposed and the area where the second light emitting unit EL2 is disposed to each other.

[0139] The second electrode ELT2 of each of the sub-pixels SPX may be electrically connected by the connecting electrode CELT. For example, the second electrode ELT2 may include the (2-1)th electrode ELT2-1 included in the first sub-pixel SPX1 and the (2-2)th electrode ELT2-2 included in the second sub-pixel SPX2. The (2-1)th electrode ELT2-1 and the (2-2)th electrode ELT2-2 may be electrically connected to each other by the connecting electrode CELT.

[0140] The connection electrode CELT may be disposed in the separation area SA. The connection electrode CELT may be patterned in an area where the separation piece SEP is not disposed. Therefore, the connection electrode CELT disposed in the separation area SA may electrically connect the (2-1)th electrode ELT2-1 and the (2-2)th electrode ELT2-2 to each other.

[0141] According to an embodiment, the display device DD may further include a separation electrode SELT. The separation electrode SELT may be disposed on the separation piece SEP. The separation electrode SELT may be disposed on the light emitting separation portion SEL. For example, the separation electrode SELT may include a first separation electrode SELT1 and a second separation electrode SELT2. The light emitting separation portion SEL may include a first light emitting separation portion SEL1 and a second light emitting separation portion SEL2. The first separation electrode SELT1 may be disposed on the first separation piece SEP1. The first separation electrode SELT1 may be disposed on the first light emitting separation portion SEL1. The second separation electrode SELT2 may be disposed on the second separation piece SEP2. The second separation electrode SELT2 may be disposed on the second light emitting separation portion SEL2.

[0142] According to an embodiment, the separation electrode SELT may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the separation piece SEP. For example, a portion of the separation electrode SELT may have a shape extending in the second direction DR2 similar to the shape of the separation piece SEP, and the first separation electrode SELT1 and the second separation electrode SELT2 may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction DR1. Therefore, the first separation electrode SELT1 may be disposed between the (2-1)th electrode ELT2-1 and the connection electrode CELT, and the second separation electrode SELT2 may be disposed between the connection electrode CELT and the (2-2)th electrode ELT2-2.

[0143] According to an embodiment, the separation electrode SELT may be physically separated from the second electrode ELT2 and the connection electrode CELT. For example, the separation electrode SELT may not be electrically connected to the second electrode ELT2 and the connection electrode CELT.

[0144] Therefore, the connection electrode CELT may form the power path 100 between the (2-1)th electrode ELT2-1 and the (2-2)th electrode ELT2-2. As a result, the second electrode ELT2 may receive power supplied through the power path 100.

[0145] According to an embodiment, when the first separator SEP1 and the second separator SEP2 have different heights H from each other, the separation electrode SELT may not be disposed on any of the first separator SEP1 and / or the second separator SEP2. For example, the first separator SEP1 may have a height that is smaller than the height of the second separator SEP2. In this case, the connection electrode CELT may be disposed above the separation area SA and the upper surface area of ​​the second separator SEP2. The connection electrode CELT may also be disposed on an area where the second separator SEP2 is disposed, and may be electrically connected to the (2-2)th electrode ELT2-2. Similarly, the connection electrode CELT may electrically connect the (2-1)th electrode ELT2-1 and the (2-2)th electrode ELT2-2 to each other, and because the second electrode ELT2 and the connection electrode CELT may extend over the second separator SEP2 to form a conductive structure, their resistance may be relatively reduced while finely forming the connection structure of the cathode electrode CAT.

[0146] According to the embodiments (for example, reference Fig.16 and Fig.18 ), the separation piece SEP may also include a residual separation piece RSEP.

[0147] The residual separating member RSEP may be disposed on the pixel defining layer PDL. The residual separating member RSEP may be disposed between the first separating member SEP1 and the second separating member SEP2. The residual separating member RSEP may have a height smaller than that of the first separating member SEP1 and the second separating member SEP2.

[0148] The residual separating piece RSEP may be integrally formed with the body portion SEP_B of each of the first separating piece SEP1 and the second separating piece SEP2 , and may be physically spaced apart from each of the protruding portions SEP_T.

[0149] For example, the residual separation part RSEP may include silicon oxide (SiO x ) (e.g., the same as the silicon oxide (SiO x ) equivalent to) silicon oxide (SiO x ). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0150] According to an embodiment, the residual separation member RSEP may include a material different from a material of a layer formed on the uppermost portion of the pixel defining layer PDL. For example, a layer formed on the uppermost portion of the pixel defining layer PDL (eg, the third pixel defining layer PDL3) may include silicon nitride (SiN x ), and the residual separation member RSEP may include a silicon oxide (SiO x ).

[0151] According to an embodiment, when the residual separation member RSEP is formed, the height of the position on which the material is to be deposited in the region between the first separation member SEP1 and the second separation member SEP2 of the substrate may be increased. In this case, the material to be deposited may form a desired structure in the region between the first separation member SEP1 and the second separation member SEP2. For example, when the residual separation member RSEP is formed, the connection electrode CELT may be more appropriately deposited between the first separation member SEP1 and the second separation member SEP2. In addition, referring to Fig.18 , when the residual separation part RSEP is formed, the connection electrode CELT and the (2-2)th electrode ELT2-2 may be connected to each other with higher reliability.

[0152] According to an embodiment, the connection electrode CELT may include one or more electrode bending portions EBA. For example, the connection electrode CELT may include two electrode bending portions EBA. However, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto, and the number of electrode bending portions EBA may be variously modified as needed or desired.

[0153] According to an embodiment, the second electrode ELT2, the separation electrode SELT, and the connection electrode CELT may be formed in the same process. For example, a conductive layer for forming the second electrode ELT2, the separation electrode SELT, and the connection electrode CELT may be deposited, and the regions where the second electrode ELT2, the separation electrode SELT, and the connection electrode CELT are patterned may be determined by the separation member SEP.

[0154] For example, the separator SEP may include a tip structure that protrudes in a third direction DR3 (e.g., a thickness direction of the base layer BSL or a normal direction of a plane on which the base layer BSL is disposed) and in a direction different from the third direction DR3 (e.g., a plane direction of the base layer BSL or a direction in which a plane on which the base layer BSL is disposed extends). In this case, when the conductive layer is deposited, the conductive layers deposited at the ends of the separator SEP may be physically separated from each other. Therefore, in a plan view, at one end of the separator SEP, the second electrode ELT2 and the separation electrode SELT may be spaced apart from each other. At the other end of the separator SEP, the connection electrode CELT and the separation electrode SELT may be spaced apart from each other. Therefore, the second electrodes ELT2 may be electrically connected to each other through a power path 100 formed by the connection electrode CELT.

[0155] According to an embodiment, the first electrode ELT1 may include a (1-1)th electrode ELT1-1 included in the first sub-pixel SPX1 and a (1-2)th electrode ELT1-2 included in the second sub-pixel SPX2. According to an embodiment, a pixel defining layer PDL may be disposed between the (1-1)th electrode ELT1-1 and the (1-2)th electrode ELT1-2. Therefore, a plurality of sub-pixels SPX may be configured to receive anode signals different from each other. For example, the (1-1)th electrode ELT1-1 may be electrically connected to the first light emitting unit EL1. The (1-2)th electrode ELT1-2 may be electrically connected to the second light emitting unit EL2.

[0156] According to an embodiment, the pixel defining layer PDL may have a separation length L1. The separation length L1 may be 1 μm to 1.5 μm. In this case, the light emitting units EL of each of the sub-pixels SPX may be more adjacent to each other (e.g., closer), and there may be a need to prevent the risk of electrical signals crossing between the light emitting units EL.

[0157] According to an embodiment, the first separation piece SEP1 and the second separation piece SEP2 may be spaced apart by a separation length L2. The separation length L2 may be 0.3 μm to 0.4 μm. The separation length L2 may be smaller than the separation length L1.

[0158] According to an embodiment, the display device DD may further include a light emitting connection portion CEL. The light emitting connection portion CEL may be disposed in the display area DA. The light emitting unit EL and the light emitting connection portion CEL may be formed in the same process. For example, the light emitting unit EL and the light emitting connection portion CEL may be deposited in the same process and may therefore include the same material as each other. The light emitting unit EL and the light emitting connection portion CEL may be formed integrally with each other. For example, the light emitting connection portion CEL may be integral with the first light emitting unit EL1 and the second light emitting unit EL2 to connect the first light emitting unit EL1 and the second light emitting unit EL2 to each other.

[0159] The light emitting connection portion CEL may electrically connect the light emitting units EL adjacent to each other. The light emitting unit EL of each of the sub-pixels SPX may be electrically connected by the light emitting connection portion CEL. For example, the light emitting connection portion CEL may connect the light emitting unit EL disposed on one side of the light emitting connection portion CEL and the light emitting unit EL disposed on the other side of the light emitting connection portion CEL to each other. For example, the first light emitting unit EL1 and the second light emitting unit EL2 may be electrically connected to each other by the light emitting connection portion CEL.

[0160] The light emitting connection portion CEL may be disposed in the separation area SA. The light emitting connection portion CEL may be patterned in an area where the separation member SEP is not disposed. Therefore, the light emitting connection portion CEL disposed in the separation area SA may electrically connect the first light emitting unit EL1 and the second light emitting unit EL2 to each other.

[0161] According to an embodiment, the display device DD may further include a light emitting separation portion SEL. The light emitting separation portion SEL may be disposed on the separation piece SEP. The light emitting separation portion SEL may be disposed between the separation piece SEP and the separation electrode SELT. For example, the first light emitting separation portion SEL1 may be disposed on the first separation piece SEP1. The second light emitting separation portion SEL2 may be disposed on the second separation piece SEP2.

[0162] According to an embodiment, the light emitting separation portion SEL may have a shape corresponding to that of the separator SEP. For example, a portion of the light emitting separation portion SEL may have a shape extending in the second direction DR2 similar to that of the separator SEP, and the first light emitting separation portion SEL1 and the second light emitting separation portion SEL2 may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction DR1. Therefore, the first light emitting separation portion SEL1 may be disposed between the first light emitting cell EL1 and the light emitting connection portion CEL, and the second light emitting separation portion SEL2 may be disposed between the second light emitting cell EL2 and the light emitting connection portion CEL.

[0163] According to an embodiment, the light emitting separation part SEL may be physically separated from the light emitting unit EL and the light emitting connection part CEL. For example, the light emitting separation part SEL may not be electrically connected to the light emitting unit EL and the light emitting connection part CEL.

[0164] Therefore, the light emitting connection portion CEL may form a light emitting connection path 200 between the first light emitting unit EL1 and the second light emitting unit EL2 .

[0165] According to an embodiment, the light emitting connection portion CEL may include one or more light emitting bent portions EMBA. For example, the light emitting connection portion CEL may include two light emitting bent portions EMBA. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the number of the light emitting bent portions EMBA may be variously modified as needed or desired.

[0166] According to an embodiment, the light emitting cells EL may be electrically connected to each other. For example, the first light emitting cell EL1, the second light emitting cell EL2, and the third light emitting cell EL3 may be electrically connected to each other.

[0167] According to an embodiment, the light emitting unit EL, the light emitting separation part SEL and the light emitting connection part CEL may be formed in the same process. For example, a layer for forming the light emitting unit EL, the light emitting separation part SEL and the light emitting connection part CEL may be deposited, and the region where the light emitting unit EL, the light emitting separation part SEL and the light emitting connection part CEL are patterned may be determined by the separator SEP.

[0168] For example, as described above, the separator SEP may include a tip structure. In this case, when depositing a layer including the light-emitting layer EML, the layers deposited at the ends of the separator SEP may be physically separated from each other. Therefore, in a plan view, at one end of the separator SEP, the light-emitting unit EL and the light-emitting separation portion SEL may be spaced apart from each other. At the other end of the separator SEP, the light-emitting connection portion CEL and the light-emitting separation portion SEL may be spaced apart from each other. Therefore, the light-emitting units EL may be electrically connected to each other through the light-emitting connection path 200 formed by the light-emitting connection portion CEL.

[0169] According to an embodiment, the light emitting connection path 200 may include a first path 220, a second path 240, and a third path 260. According to an embodiment, the first path 220, the second path 240, and the third path 260 may be connected to each other. The first path 220 and the second path 240 may extend in different directions from each other in a plan view. The second path 240 and the third path 260 may extend in different directions from each other in a plan view.

[0170] According to an embodiment, the first path 220 may be formed between the second intermediate connection separator MSEP2 and the first separator SEP1. The second path 240 may be formed between the first separator SEP1 and the second separator SEP2. The third path 260 may be formed between the second separator SEP2 and the first intermediate connection separator MSEP1.

[0171] According to an embodiment, since the light emitting connection path 200 is formed, the possibility of electrical information crossing between adjacent light emitting units EL can be reduced. For example, since the separation piece SEP forms a plurality of separation structures, the light emitting connection portion CEL can form one or more light emitting bent portions EMBA, and the light emitting connection path 200 can be defined to extend further. For example, the length of the light emitting connection path 200 can be greater than the distance at which the light emitting units EL are spaced apart from each other. In this case, the light emitting connection path 200 can be formed to define a path having a distance greater than the distance at which the light emitting units EL adjacent to each other are spaced apart from each other.

[0172] Experimentally, when the electrical path is defined to be excessively adjacent between the light emitting cells EL, carriers (e.g., electrons or holes) formed in each of the light emitting cells EL can move to the other light emitting cell EL. For example, since the first light emitting cell EL1 and the second light emitting cell EL2 form sub-pixels SPX different from each other, it is expected to reduce the risk of carriers of the first light emitting cell EL1 penetrating into the second light emitting cell EL2, and it is expected to reduce the risk of carriers of the second light emitting cell EL2 penetrating into the first light emitting cell EL1.

[0173] According to an embodiment, since the light emitting connection path 200 forms one or more light emitting bent portions EMBA, the complexity of the electric path may be increased, and thus, the light emitting connection path 200 in which the electric connection route is extended may be defined.

[0174] In this case, the risk of carriers moving between adjacent light emitting units EL can be reduced, and thus the crossover of electric signals can be reduced, the color reproducibility of the sub-pixel SPX can be improved, and the reliability of the electric signal can be improved.

[0175] The foregoing is an illustration of some embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting thereof. Although some embodiments have been described, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It will be understood that, unless otherwise described, the description of the features or aspects within each embodiment should generally be considered to be applicable to other similar features or aspects in other embodiments. Therefore, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, unless otherwise specifically noted, the features, characteristics and / or elements described in conjunction with a particular embodiment may be used alone or in combination with the features, characteristics and / or elements described in conjunction with other embodiments. Therefore, it should be understood that the foregoing is an example of various exemplary embodiments and should not be construed as being limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and that various modifications to the disclosed embodiments and other exemplary embodiments are intended to be included in the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: Sub-pixels, on the base layer, each of the sub-pixels comprising a light-emitting element, the light-emitting element comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode; and a light emitting structure electrically connected between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a separator protruding in the thickness direction of the base layer between the sub-pixels and including separator structures spaced apart from each other in a plan view to define a separation area, The separation region includes one or more curved regions between the sub-pixels.

2. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising a light emitting connection portion, the light emitting connection portion comprising the same material as the material of the light emitting structure, and the light emitting connection portion comprising one or more light emitting bent portions, in, The first electrode includes a (1-1)th electrode and a (1-2)th electrode, wherein the light emitting structure comprises a first light emitting structure electrically connected to the (1-1)th electrode and a second light emitting structure electrically connected to the (1-2)th electrode, wherein the first light emitting structure and the second light emitting structure are electrically connected to each other by the light emitting connection portion, wherein the separation member surrounds at least a portion of each of the first light emitting structure, the second light emitting structure, and the light emitting connecting portion, The separator includes a first separator and a second separator, the first separator and the second separator are located between the first light emitting structure and the second light emitting structure, and are spaced apart from each other in a direction in which the first light emitting structure and the second light emitting structure are spaced apart from each other. Wherein, the separator further comprises an intermediate connecting separator connected to at least one of the first separator and the second separator, wherein at least a portion of each of the first separation member and the second separation member extends in a direction different from the direction in which the first light emitting structure and the second light emitting structure are spaced apart from each other, Wherein, the intermediate connecting and separating member comprises a first intermediate connecting and separating member and a second intermediate connecting and separating member, wherein the first intermediate connecting separator is spaced apart from the second separator and is directly connected to the first separator, and The second intermediate connecting separator is spaced apart from the first separator and is directly connected to the second separator.

3. The display device according to claim 2, further comprising a connecting electrode, the connecting electrode comprising the same material as that of the second electrode, in, The second electrode includes a (2-1)th electrode and a (2-2)th electrode, and The connecting electrode electrically connects the (2-1)th electrode and the (2-2)th electrode to each other, and includes one or more electrode bending portions.

4. The display device according to claim 2, wherein: The light emitting connection portion defines a light emitting connection path electrically connected between the first light emitting structure and the second light emitting structure, Wherein, the light-emitting connection path includes: A first path between the second intermediate connecting separator and the first separator; a second path between the first separator and the second separator; and A third path is between the second separator and the first intermediate connecting separator.

5. The display device according to claim 4, wherein: The sub-pixels include a first sub-pixel configured to emit light of a first color, a second sub-pixel configured to emit light of a second color, and a third sub-pixel configured to emit light of a third color, Wherein, the first light emitting structure is in the first sub-pixel, Wherein, the second light emitting structure is in the second sub-pixel, The light emitting structure further includes a third light emitting structure in the third sub-pixel. The separator further includes a (1-1)th adjacent separator and a (1-2)th adjacent separator, wherein the (1-1)th adjacent separator and the (1-2)th adjacent separator are located between the first light emitting structure and the third light emitting structure, and are spaced apart from each other in a direction in which the first light emitting structure and the third light emitting structure are spaced apart from each other. wherein the second intermediate connection separator is adjacent to the first sub-pixel, the second sub-pixel and the third sub-pixel in a plan view, is spaced apart from the (1-1)th adjacent separator, and is directly connected to the (1-2)th adjacent separator, wherein the separator further comprises a (2-1)th adjacent separator and a (2-2)th adjacent separator, wherein the (2-1)th adjacent separator and the (2-2)th adjacent separator are located between the second light emitting structure and the third light emitting structure, and are spaced apart from each other in a direction in which the second light emitting structure and the third light emitting structure are spaced apart from each other, and Wherein, the second intermediate connecting separator is spaced apart from the (2-1)th adjacent separator and is directly connected to the (2-2)th adjacent separator.

6. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The sub-pixel has a quadrilateral shape or a hexagonal shape in a plan view.

7. The display device according to claim 5, wherein: The first light emitting structure, the second light emitting structure and the third light emitting structure are electrically connected to each other, and Wherein, the length of the light-emitting connection path is greater than the distance between the first light-emitting structure and the second light-emitting structure.

8. The display device according to claim 3, further comprising: a separation electrode comprising the same material as the material of the second electrode and comprising a first separation electrode and a second separation electrode; as well as a light emitting separation portion including the same material as the material of the light emitting structure and including a first light emitting separation portion and a second light emitting separation portion, Wherein, the first separation electrode is located between the (2-1)th electrode and the connection electrode, Wherein, the second separation electrode is located between the connection electrode and the (2-2)th electrode, Wherein, the first light-emitting separation portion is located between the first light-emitting structure and the light-emitting connection portion, wherein the second light emitting separation portion is located between the light emitting connection portion and the second light emitting structure, and The first light-emitting separation portion is located between the first separation member and the first separation electrode, and the second light-emitting separation portion is located between the second separation member and the second separation electrode.

9. The display device according to claim 2, wherein: The separator further includes a third separator, the third separator being spaced apart from the first separator and the second separator along a direction in which the first separator and the second separator are spaced apart from each other, Wherein, the height of the separation member is to as well as The first separator and the second separator are spaced apart from each other by 0.3 μm to 0.4 μm.

10. The display device according to claim 2, wherein: The first separation piece and the second separation piece have different heights from each other.

11. The display device according to claim 2, further comprising a pixel defining layer between the (1-1)th electrode and the (1-2)th electrode, in, The separation member is on the pixel defining layer, The light-emitting structure includes a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a light-emitting layer, an electron transport layer and an electron injection layer. wherein each of the first separating member and the second separating member comprises a main body portion and a protruding portion on the main body portion, The separating member further comprises a residual separating member on the pixel defining layer and between the first separating member and the second separating member. wherein the residual separation member has a height lower than heights of the first separation member and the second separation member, and Wherein, the residual separation piece comprises the same material as that of the main body portion.

12. The display device according to claim 11, wherein: The residual separator includes a material different from a material of a layer located at an uppermost portion of the pixel defining layer.

13. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: a display area and a non-display area surrounding at least a portion of the display area; a pixel circuit layer, comprising the base layer and a pixel circuit electrically connected to the first electrode; a first power line on the base layer and electrically connected to the pixel circuit; as well as a second power line on the base layer and in the non-display area, the second power line being electrically connected to the second electrode, The second electrode and the second power line are electrically connected to each other in a region adjacent to the display region and the non-display region.

14. A display device, comprising: sub-pixels, on the base layer, and including a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel; as well as Connecting electrodes, on the base layer, Each of the sub-pixels includes a light-emitting element on the base layer, and the light-emitting element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light-emitting structure electrically connected between the first electrode and the second electrode. The second electrode includes the (2-1)th electrode in the first sub-pixel and the (2-2)th electrode in the second sub-pixel, and The connecting electrode is integrated with the (2-1)th electrode and the (2-2)th electrode, the connecting electrode electrically connects the (2-1)th electrode and the (2-2)th electrode to each other, and the connecting electrode includes one or more electrode bending parts.

15. A display device, comprising: sub-pixels, on the base layer, and including a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel; as well as a light-emitting connecting portion, on the base layer, Each of the sub-pixels includes a light-emitting element on the base layer, and the light-emitting element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light-emitting structure electrically connected between the first electrode and the second electrode. The light emitting structure includes a first light emitting structure in the first sub-pixel and a second light emitting structure in the second sub-pixel, and The light emitting connection portion is integrated with the first light emitting structure and the second light emitting structure to connect the first light emitting structure and the second light emitting structure to each other, and includes one or more light emitting bent portions.

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