Alignment structure of light emitting elements, display device, and method of manufacturing display device

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a display device of the present disclosure can include providing a plurality of light emitting elements to a base substrate including an alignment area and a non-alignment area through a fluid layer, aligning a first light emitting element provided to the alignment area of the base substrate with at least one electrode by using an electric field, and moving a second light emitting element provided to the non-alignment area of the base substrate to the alignment area by applying a flow to the fluid layer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to alignment structures for effectively aligning or arranging light-emitting elements, display devices, and methods for manufacturing the display devices. Background Technology

[0002] A display device is a device that processes image signals and image data input from the outside or stored internally through various processes and displays them as images on a display panel or screen. It can be implemented as various devices such as TVs, monitors, or portable media players.

[0003] Recently, with the development of multimedia, various types of display devices, such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and liquid crystal displays (LCDs), are being used. A display device is a device for displaying images and may include a display panel, such as an organic light-emitting diode display panel or a liquid crystal display panel. The display panel may include light-emitting elements. For example, the display panel may include light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that use organic materials as fluorescent materials (such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs)) and inorganic LEDs that use inorganic materials as fluorescent materials.

[0004] Inorganic light-emitting diodes (LEDs) using inorganic semiconductors as fluorescent materials exhibit durability even in high-temperature environments and offer the advantage of more efficient blue light emission compared to organic LEDs. Furthermore, transfer methods using electrophoresis or dielectric electrophoresis have been developed to address the known limitations of conventional inorganic LED manufacturing processes. Therefore, research on inorganic LEDs with superior durability and efficiency compared to organic LEDs continues. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Technical problems to be solved

[0006] An alignment structure for light-emitting elements is provided, which can increase the transfer yield of light-emitting elements by using a flow supplied to a fluid layer to move dummy light-emitting elements located in an unaligned region to an aligned region, and a method for manufacturing a display device using the alignment structure is provided.

[0007] Technical solution

[0008] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a method of manufacturing a display device may include: providing a plurality of light-emitting elements to a substrate through a fluid layer, the substrate including an aligned region and an unaligned region; aligning a first light-emitting element provided to the aligned region of the substrate with at least one electrode using an electric field; and moving a second light-emitting element provided to the unaligned region of the substrate to the aligned region by applying a flow to the fluid layer.

[0009] Providing the plurality of light-emitting elements to the substrate through the fluid layer may include: causing at least one of the plurality of light-emitting elements to descend vertically by means of gravity in the gravity-affected region of the fluid layer; and causing the at least one of the plurality of light-emitting elements to rotate in the electric field-affected region of the fluid layer by at least one of electrophoresis and dielectric electrophoresis.

[0010] Moving a second light-emitting element supplied to the unaligned region of the substrate to the aligned region by applying the flow to the fluid layer may include: aligning the second light-emitting element with at least one electrode of the aligned region by using a flow supply device to move the second light-emitting element to at least one of the gravity-affected region and the electric field-affected region of the aligned region.

[0011] Using the flow supply device may include: generating the flow using a flow generator with a flow medium; injecting the flow from the flow supply line into the fluid layer using a flow injector; and controlling the flow rate of the flow supply line based on a measurement of the flow rate of the flow supply line using a flow controller.

[0012] Using the fluid medium to generate the flow may include: outputting the fluid medium, comprising at least one of liquid and gas, to the flow supply line at a predetermined rate.

[0013] Injecting the flow from the flow supply line into the fluid layer may include injecting the flow from a plurality of flow injectors spaced apart in the unaligned region of the substrate.

[0014] Controlling the flow rate of the flow supply line based on a measurement of the flow rate of the flow supply line may include: reducing the flow rate when the flow rate of the flow supply line is greater than a predetermined reference flow rate; and increasing the flow rate when the flow rate of the flow supply line is less than the predetermined reference flow rate.

[0015] Injecting the flow from the flow supply line into the fluid layer may include: injecting the flow medium in one direction through an injection port, wherein moving the second light-emitting element, which is provided to the unaligned region of the substrate, to the aligned region by applying the flow to the fluid layer includes: moving the second light-emitting element to at least one aligned region adjacent to the unaligned region by applying the flow in one direction within the fluid layer via the injection port.

[0016] Injecting the flow from the flow supply line into the fluid layer may include: injecting the flow through two injection ports that inject the flow medium along a first direction and a second direction different from the first direction, wherein moving the second light-emitting element, which is provided to the unaligned region of the substrate, to the aligned region by applying the flow to the fluid layer includes: moving the second light-emitting element to at least one aligned region adjacent to the unaligned region by applying the flow along the first direction and the second direction via the two injection ports.

[0017] Injecting the flow from the flow supply line into the fluid layer may include: generating eddies in the fluid layer in at least one of a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction by injecting the flow medium, wherein moving the second light-emitting element provided to the substrate to the alignment region by applying the flow to the fluid layer includes: moving the second light-emitting element to at least one alignment region adjacent to the non-aligned region based on the eddies.

[0018] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a display device may include at least one electrode and a plurality of light-emitting elements aligned with the at least one electrode, wherein, in the process of aligning the plurality of light-emitting elements with the at least one electrode, the plurality of light-emitting elements are supplied to a fluid layer and provided to a substrate including an alignment region and an unaligned region, wherein a first light-emitting element provided to the alignment region is aligned with the at least one electrode using an electric field, and wherein a second light-emitting element provided to the unaligned region moves to the alignment region based on a flow applied to the fluid layer.

[0019] During the process of aligning the plurality of light-emitting elements with the at least one electrode: at least one of the plurality of light-emitting elements may descend vertically by means of gravity in the gravity-affected region of the fluid layer, and be rotated in the electric field-affected region of the fluid layer by at least one of electrophoresis and dielectric electrophoresis.

[0020] The second light-emitting element among the plurality of light-emitting elements provided to the unaligned region can be moved by a flow supply device to at least one of the gravity-affected region and the electric field-affected region of the aligned region to align with at least one electrode of the aligned region.

[0021] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an alignment structure for a light-emitting element may include: a substrate including an alignment region and an unaligned region; at least one electrode disposed on the substrate; and a flow supply device disposed on the substrate, wherein a first light-emitting element among a plurality of light-emitting elements is supplied to at least one electrode in the alignment region through a fluid layer, an electric field is configured such that the first light-emitting element is aligned with the at least one electrode, and wherein the flow supply device is configured to move a second light-emitting element located in the unaligned region among the plurality of light-emitting elements to the alignment region by applying a flow to the fluid layer.

[0022] Based on the fact that at least one of the plurality of light-emitting elements descends vertically in the gravity-affected region of the fluid layer by means of gravity, the electric field can be configured such that the at least one of the plurality of light-emitting elements rotates in the electric field-affected region of the fluid layer by at least one of electrophoresis and dielectric electrophoresis, and aligns with the at least one electrode.

[0023] The flow supply device can be configured to align a second light-emitting element located in a non-aligned region with at least one electrode in the aligned region by moving the second light-emitting element to at least one of the gravity-affected region and the electric field-affected region of the aligned region.

[0024] The flow supply device may include: a flow generator configured to generate the flow using a flow medium; a flow injector configured to inject the flow to be delivered to the flow supply line into the fluid layer; and a flow controller configured to measure and control the flow rate of the flow supply line.

[0025] The flow generator can be configured to generate the flow by outputting a flow medium, including at least one of liquid and gas, to the flow supply line at a predetermined rate.

[0026] The flow injectors may be spaced apart in the unaligned regions of the substrate.

[0027] The flow controller is configured to: decrease the flow rate based on the flow rate of the flow supply line being greater than a predetermined reference flow rate; and increase the flow rate based on the flow rate of the flow supply line being less than the predetermined reference flow rate.

[0028] Beneficial effects

[0029] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the alignment structure of the light-emitting element, the display device, and the method of manufacturing the display device can move a dummy light-emitting element located in the non-aligned region to the alignment region by supplying a flow to the fluid layer.

[0030] Therefore, the alignment structure of the light-emitting element, the display device, and the method of manufacturing the display device according to the present disclosure can increase the transfer yield of the light-emitting element by increasing the probability of alignment between the light-emitting element and the electrode in the fluid layer.

[0031] The effects achievable in the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, but rather include other effects not mentioned that can be clearly derived and understood by those skilled in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure pertain, as described below. In other words, those skilled in the art can also derive unintended effects from the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure when practicing the embodiments of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0032] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of some embodiments of this disclosure will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] Figure 1 This is a plan view of a display device according to an embodiment;

[0034] Figure 2 The illustration shows a light-emitting element according to an embodiment;

[0035] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to an embodiment;

[0036] Figure 4 The illustration shows the transfer process of the light-emitting element according to an embodiment;

[0037] Figure 5 The illustration shows the force received by the light-emitting element during the alignment or arrangement process according to an embodiment.

[0038] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the alignment structure of the light-emitting element according to an embodiment;

[0039] Figure 7 This is a perspective view illustrating the alignment structure of the light-emitting element according to an embodiment;

[0040] Figure 8 The illustration shows the light-emitting element moving from the unaligned region to the aligned region according to an embodiment;

[0041] Figure 9 The figure illustrates a flow supply device according to an embodiment for supplying flow to a fluid layer in one direction;

[0042] Figure 10 The illustration shows a flow supply device according to an embodiment for supplying flow to a fluid layer in two directions;

[0043] Figure 11The figure illustrates a flow supply device according to an embodiment for forming vortices by supplying flow to a fluid layer; and

[0044] Figure 12 The illustration shows a method for manufacturing a display device using an alignment structure according to an embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0045] Embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in a manner readily practiced by those skilled in the art. However, this disclosure may be practiced in various other forms and is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Throughout the specification and drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used to refer to the same or similar elements. Furthermore, for clarity and brevity, well-known functions and configurations have not been described in the drawings and related descriptions.

[0046] As used herein, the terms “first” and “second” are used simply to distinguish between components and do not necessarily imply corresponding components. In other words, the components referred to by the terms “first” and “second” are not necessarily limited to a specific structure or location, but may be represented by other numbers in some cases.

[0047] Therefore, the numbers assigned to the corresponding components can be described in the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and within the technical spirit of this disclosure, the first component mentioned below may be a second component.

[0048] Figure 1 This is a plan view of the display device 1 according to an embodiment.

[0049] refer to Figure 1 The display device 1 may include a plurality of pixels PX. Each pixel PX may include one or more light-emitting elements 30 that emit light of a specific wavelength band to display a specific color. For example, each of the plurality of pixels PX may include a first sub-pixel PX1, a second sub-pixel PX2, and a third sub-pixel PX3.

[0050] The first sub-pixel PX1 can emit light of a first color, the second sub-pixel PX2 can emit light of a second color, and the third sub-pixel PX3 can emit light of a third color. The first color can be red, the second color can be green, and the third color can be blue, but this disclosure is not limited to these, and each sub-pixel PXn can emit light of the same color. Furthermore, although... Figure 1 Each pixel in the illustrated pixel PX comprises three sub-pixels, but this disclosure is not limited thereto, and each pixel in pixel PX may include a greater number of sub-pixels.

[0051] The sub-pixel PXn of the display device 1 may include a predetermined area defined as an alignment region AA and a non-alignment region NAA. The alignment region AA may be defined as the area in which the light-emitting element 30 included in the display device 1 is arranged. The non-alignment region NAA is the area other than the alignment region AA, and may be defined as the area in which the light-emitting element 30 is not arranged and does not emit light. However, the definition of the alignment region AA is not limited to this, and may be defined as the area in which the light-emitting element 30 should be arranged. In other words, during the manufacturing process of the display device 1, the alignment region AA in which the light-emitting element 30 will be aligned or arranged can be defined on each pixel PX or sub-pixel PXn, and the light-emitting element 30 can be arranged on the alignment region AA. For example, as... Figure 1 As shown, the alignment region AA may include a portion of the electrodes 21 and 22 of each sub-pixel PXn and a predetermined region between the electrodes 21 and 22 of each sub-pixel PXn.

[0052] The display device 1 may include a coating 80 disposed in at least a portion of each pixel PX or sub-pixel PXn. The coating 80 may be disposed on an aligned region AA or an unaligned region NAA of each sub-pixel PXn, and in some cases, the coating 80 may partially overlap with electrodes 21 and 22. For example, as Figure 1 As shown, coating 80 can be arranged in each sub-pixel PXn to completely cover electrodes 21 and 22. For example, coating 80 may include an opening 80P that exposes a portion of the area. Coating 80 may include an alignment region AA and may be partially arranged in the non-alignment region NAA, but is not limited thereto.

[0053] According to the embodiment, the coating 80 can perform the function of preventing the ink S injected into each pixel PX or sub-pixel PXn from moving or spreading to areas other than the desired alignment area AA. During the manufacturing process of the display device 1, the light-emitting element 30 can be supplied to electrodes 21 and 22, and the light-emitting element 30 can be disposed on electrodes 21 and 22 by electrophoresis or dielectric electrophoresis. For example, the light-emitting element 30 can be disposed in the desired alignment area AA by the coating 80, and the light-emitting element 30 can be smoothly disposed on electrodes 21 and 22.

[0054] The sub-pixel PXn of the display device 1 may include a plurality of partition walls 40, a plurality of electrodes 21 and 22, a light-emitting element 30, and a coating 80. The plurality of electrodes 21 and 22 may be electrically connected to the light-emitting element 30. The plurality of electrodes 21 and 22 may receive a predetermined voltage, causing the light-emitting element 30 to emit light. The plurality of electrodes 21 and 22 may be used to form an electric field in the sub-pixel PXn to align or arrange the light-emitting element 30.

[0055] The plurality of electrodes 21 and 22 may include a first electrode 21 and a second electrode 22. In one embodiment, the first electrode 21 may be a separate pixel electrode for each sub-pixel PXn, and the second electrode 22 may be a common electrode commonly connected along each sub-pixel PXn. For example, one of the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 may be the anode electrode of the light-emitting element 30, and the other electrode may be the cathode electrode of the light-emitting element 30. However, the types of the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 are not limited thereto, and vice versa.

[0056] The first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 may each include electrode bases 21S and 22S and at least one electrode branch 21B and 22B, respectively. The electrode bases 21S and 22S are arranged to extend in a first direction D1, and the at least one electrode branch 21B and 22B extend and branch from the electrode bases 21S and 22S in a second direction D2, which is a direction that intersects with the first direction D1.

[0057] The first electrode 21 may include a first electrode base 21S and at least one first electrode branch 21B. The first electrode base 21S extends in a first direction D1, and the at least one first electrode branch 21B branches from the first electrode base 21S and extends in a second direction D2. The two opposite ends of the first electrode base 21S of any pixel may be terminated in a manner spaced apart between sub-pixels PXn, but may be placed on a straight line substantially the same as the first electrode bases 21S of adjacent sub-pixels belonging to the same row (e.g., adjacent in the first direction D1). Therefore, the first electrode bases 21S arranged in each sub-pixel PXn may apply different electrical signals to each first electrode branch 21B, and each first electrode branch 21B may be driven individually.

[0058] The first electrode branch 21B can branch from at least a portion of the first electrode base 21S, can be arranged to extend in the second direction D2, and can terminate at a distance from the second electrode base 22S arranged to face the first electrode base 21S. The second electrode 22 can include a second electrode base 22S and a second electrode branch 22B. The second electrode base 22S extends in the first direction D1 to be spaced from the first electrode base 21S and is arranged to face the first electrode base 21S. The second electrode branch 22B branches from the second electrode base 22S and is arranged to extend in the second direction D2. However, the other end of the second electrode base 22S can extend to a plurality of adjacent sub-pixels PXn in the first direction D1. Therefore, the two opposite ends of the second electrode base 22S of any pixel can be connected between the second electrode bases 22S of adjacent pixels PX.

[0059] The second electrode branch 22B can be spaced apart from and face the first electrode branch 21B, and can be terminated in a manner spaced apart from the first electrode base 21S. In other words, one end of the second electrode branch 22B can be connected to the second electrode base 22S, and the other end of the second electrode branch 22B can be arranged in the sub-pixel PXn in a manner spaced apart from the first electrode base 21S. In the figures, two first electrode branches 21B are arranged, and the second electrode branch 22B is arranged between the two first electrode branches 21B, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0060] Multiple partition walls 40 can be arranged at the boundaries between sub-pixels PXn. The respective ends of the multiple first electrode bases 21S can be terminated in a manner spaced apart from each other relative to the partition walls 40. The partition walls 40 can extend in the second direction D2 and can be arranged at the boundaries of sub-pixels PXn arranged along the first direction D1. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the partition walls 40 can be arranged at the boundaries of sub-pixels PXn extending along the first direction D1 and arranged along the second direction D2.

[0061] Multiple light-emitting elements 30 may be aligned or arranged between the first electrode branch 21B and the second electrode branch 22B. At least some of the multiple light-emitting elements 30 may have one end electrically connected to the first electrode branch 21B and the other end electrically connected to the second electrode branch 22B.

[0062] Multiple light-emitting elements 30 may be spaced apart from each other in the second direction D2 and may be aligned or arranged substantially parallel to each other. The spacing between the light-emitting elements 30 is not particularly limited. In some cases, multiple light-emitting elements 30 may be arranged adjacent to each other to form a group, and other multiple light-emitting elements 30 may be arranged in a group with a predetermined interval between them, having a non-uniform density, and may be aligned or arranged in one direction.

[0063] Contact electrodes 26 can be respectively disposed on the first electrode branch 21B and the second electrode branch 22B. However, contact electrodes 26 can be substantially disposed on an insulating layer, and at least a portion of the contact electrode 26 can contact or be electrically connected to the first electrode branch 21B and the second electrode branch 22B. A plurality of contact electrodes 26 can be arranged to extend in a second direction D2 and can be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in a first direction D1. Contact electrodes 26 can contact at least one end of the light-emitting element 30, and contact electrodes 26 can contact the first electrode 21 or the second electrode 22 to receive electrical signals. Therefore, contact electrodes 26 can transmit electrical signals transmitted from each of electrodes 21 and 22 to the light-emitting element 30.

[0064] The contact electrode 26 may include a first contact electrode 26a and a second contact electrode 26b. The first contact electrode 26a may be disposed on the first electrode branch 21B and may contact one end of the light-emitting element 30; and the second contact electrode 26b may be disposed on the second electrode branch 22B and may contact the other end of the light-emitting element 30.

[0065] The first electrode base 21S and the second electrode base 22S can be electrically connected to the circuit element layer of the display device 1 through contact holes (e.g., the first electrode contact hole CNTD and the second electrode contact hole CNTS), respectively. Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a second electrode contact hole (CNTS) formed in the second electrode base 22S of multiple sub-pixels PXn. However, the location and number of second electrode contact holes (CNTS) are not limited to this, and in some cases, a second electrode contact hole (CNTS) can be formed for each sub-pixel PXn.

[0066] Figure 2 The illustration shows a light-emitting element 30 according to an embodiment.

[0067] The light-emitting element 30 may be a light-emitting diode (LED), and specifically, it may be an inorganic light-emitting element having a micrometer or nanometer size and formed of an inorganic material. When an electric field is formed between two electrodes facing each other in a specific direction, the inorganic LED can be aligned or arranged between the two electrodes, in which polarities are formed. The light-emitting element 30 can be aligned or arranged between the electrodes by the electric field formed on the two electrodes. The light-emitting element 30 may include a semiconductor crystal doped with impurities of any conductivity type (e.g., p-type or n-type). The semiconductor crystal can receive an electrical signal applied from an external power source and emit that electrical signal as light at a specific wavelength.

[0068] refer to Figure 2 The light-emitting element 30 according to the embodiment may include a first conductivity type semiconductor 31, a second conductivity type semiconductor 32, an active layer 33, and an insulating film 38. Furthermore, the light-emitting element 30 according to the embodiment may also include at least one conductive electrode layer 37. Figure 2 The illustrated light-emitting element 30 also includes a conductive electrode layer 37, but is not limited thereto. In some cases, the light-emitting element 30 may include a greater number of conductive electrode layers 37, or the conductive electrode layers 37 may be omitted.

[0069] The light-emitting element 30 may have a shape extending in one direction. The light-emitting element 30 may have a shape such as a nanorod, nanowire, or nanotube. In one embodiment, the light-emitting element 30 may be cylindrical or rod-shaped. However, the shape of the light-emitting element 30 is not limited to these and may have various shapes, such as cube, cuboid, and hexagonal prism shapes. The plurality of semiconductors included in the light-emitting element 30, as described below, may be arranged sequentially or stacked along one direction.

[0070] The light-emitting element 30 according to the embodiment can emit light of a specific wavelength. In one embodiment, the light emitted from the active layer 33 can be blue light having a center wavelength band in the range of 450 nm to 495 nm. However, the center wavelength band of blue light is not limited to the above range, and it should be understood that the center wavelength band of blue light includes all wavelengths that can be considered blue in the art. Furthermore, the light emitted from the active layer 33 of the light-emitting element 30 is not limited to this, and can be green light having a center wavelength band in the range of 495 nm to 570 nm, or red light having a center wavelength band in the range of 620 nm to 750 nm.

[0071] refer to Figure 2 When the light-emitting element 30 is described in detail, the first conductivity type semiconductor 31 may be, for example, an n-type semiconductor having a first conductivity type. For instance, when the light-emitting element 30 emits light in the blue wavelength band, the first conductivity type semiconductor 31 may include a semiconductor with the chemical formula In. x Al y Ga 1-x-y A semiconductor material of type N (0≤x≤1, 0≤y≤1, 0≤x+y≤1). For example, the first conductivity type semiconductor 31 can be any one or more of n-type doped InAlGaN, GaN, AlGaN, InGaN, AlN, and InN. The first conductivity type semiconductor 31' can be doped with a first conductive dopant, and for example, the first conductive dopant can be Si, Ge, Sn, etc. In one embodiment, the first conductivity type semiconductor 31 can be n-GaN doped with n-type Si. The length of the first conductivity type semiconductor 31 can be in the range of 1.5 μm to 5 μm, but is not limited thereto.

[0072] The second conductivity type semiconductor 32 can be disposed on the active layer 33. The second conductivity type semiconductor 32 can be, for example, a p-type semiconductor having a second conductivity type. For example, when the light-emitting element 30 emits light in the blue or green wavelength band, the second conductivity type semiconductor 32 can include a semiconductor with the chemical formula In. x Al y Ga 1-x-yA semiconductor material of type N (0≤x≤1, 0≤y≤1, 0≤x+y≤1). For example, the second conductivity type semiconductor 32 can be any one or more of p-type doped InAlGaN, GaN, AlGaN, InGaN, AlN, and InN. The second conductivity type semiconductor 32 can be doped with a second conductive dopant, and for example, the second conductive dopant can be Mg, Zn, Ca, Se, Ba, etc. In one embodiment, the second conductivity type semiconductor 32 can be p-GaN doped with p-type Mg. The length of the second conductivity type semiconductor 32 can be in the range of 0.08 μm to 0.25 μm, but is not limited thereto. The accompanying drawings illustrate that the first conductivity type semiconductor 31 and the second conductivity type semiconductor 32 are composed of a single layer, but are not limited thereto. In some cases, depending on the material of the active layer 33, the first conductivity type semiconductor 31 and the second conductivity type semiconductor 32 may also include a greater number of layers, such as a cladding layer or a tensile strain barrier reduction (TSBR) layer.

[0073] An active layer 33 may be disposed between a first conductivity type semiconductor 31 and a second conductivity type semiconductor 32. The active layer 33 may comprise a material having a single quantum well structure or a multi-quantum well structure. When the active layer 33 comprises a material having a multi-quantum well structure, the quantum layer and well layers may be stacked alternately. The active layer 33 may emit light by coupling electron-hole pairs according to an electrical signal applied through the first conductivity type semiconductor 31 and the second conductivity type semiconductor 32. For example, when the active layer 33 emits light in the blue wavelength band, the active layer 33 may comprise a material such as AlGaN, AlInGaN, etc. When the active layer 33 is a multi-quantum well structure in which quantum layers and well layers are stacked alternately, the quantum layer may comprise a material such as AlGaN or AlInGaN, and the well layer may comprise a material such as GaN or AlInN. In one embodiment, the active layer 33 may comprise AlGaInN as a quantum layer and AlInN as a well layer, and as described above, the active layer 33 may emit blue light having a center wavelength band in the range of 450 nm to 495 nm. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. The active layer 33 may be a structure in which a type of semiconductor material with a large bandgap energy and a type of semiconductor material with a small bandgap energy are stacked alternately, or it may include group 3 to group 5 semiconductor materials that differ according to the wavelength band of the emitted light. The light emitted by the active layer 33 is not limited to light in the blue wavelength band, and in some cases, light in the red and green wavelength bands may be emitted. The length of the active layer 33 may be in the range of 0.05 μm to 0.25 μm, but is not limited thereto. The light emitted from the active layer 33 may be emitted to both side surfaces and the longitudinal outer surface of the light-emitting element 30. The directionality of the light emitted from the active layer 33 is not limited to one direction.

[0074] The conductive electrode layer 37 may be an ohmic contact electrode. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto; the conductive electrode layer may be a Schottky contact electrode. The conductive electrode layer 37 may include a conductive metal. For example, the conductive electrode layer 37 may include at least one selected from aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), indium (In), gold (Au), silver (Ag), indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), and indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO). Furthermore, the conductive electrode layer 37 may include a semiconductor material doped with n-type or p-type impurities. The conductive electrode layer 37 may include the same material, but may also include different materials, but is not limited thereto.

[0075] The insulating film 38 can be arranged to surround the outer surfaces of the plurality of semiconductors described above. In one embodiment, the insulating film 38 can be arranged to at least surround the outer surface of the active layer 33 and can extend in one direction along which the light-emitting element 30 extends. The insulating film 38 can be used to protect the member. For example, the insulating film 38 can be formed to surround the sides of the member and expose two opposite ends of the light-emitting element 30 in the longitudinal direction. The accompanying drawings illustrate that the insulating film 38 is formed to extend in the longitudinal direction of the light-emitting element 30 to cover the first conductive semiconductor 31 to the conductive electrode layer 37, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. The insulating film 38 can cover only the outer surfaces of some of the conductive semiconductors (including the active layer 33), or the insulating film 38 can cover only a portion of the outer surface of the conductive electrode layer 37, such that a portion of the outer surface of the conductive electrode layer 37 can be exposed. The thickness of the insulating film 38 can be in the range of 10 nm to 1.0 μm, but is not limited thereto. The thickness of the insulating film 38 can be 40 nm. The insulating film 38 may comprise a material with insulating properties, such as silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxynitride (SiOxNy), aluminum nitride (AlN), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), etc. Therefore, it can prevent electrical short circuits that may occur when the active layer 33 directly contacts the electrodes therein that transmit electrical signals to the light-emitting element 30. Furthermore, since the insulating film 38 protects the outer surface of the light-emitting element 30, which includes the active layer 33, a reduction in luminous efficiency can be prevented. Additionally, according to an embodiment, the outer surface of the insulating film 38 may be surface-treated.

[0076] When manufacturing the display device 1, the light-emitting element 30 can be supplied to the fluid layer. For example, the light-emitting element 30 can move from the fluid layer toward the electrodes 21 and 22, and can be aligned with the electrodes 21 and 22 by electrophoresis or dielectric electrophoresis. Here, the surface of the insulating film 38 can be subjected to hydrophobic or hydrophilic treatment to maintain a dispersed state and not aggregate with other adjacent light-emitting elements 30 in the fluid layer.

[0077] The light-emitting element 30 may have a length (l) ranging from 1 μm to 10 μm or from 2 μm to 5 μm, and preferably about 4 μm. Furthermore, the diameter of the light-emitting element 30 may range from 300 nm to 700 nm, and the aspect ratio of the light-emitting element 30 may be from 1.2 to 100. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the plurality of light-emitting elements 30 included in the display device 1 may have different diameters depending on the compositional differences of the active layer 33. For example, the diameter of the light-emitting element 30 may be in the range of about 500 nm.

[0078] As described above, the light-emitting element 30 can be supplied to the fluid layer and aligned or arranged on the electrodes 21 and 22 by electrophoresis or dielectric electrophoresis. For example, the light-emitting element 30 can be disposed in the alignment region AA by electrophoresis or dielectric electrophoresis, and thus can be arranged between the predetermined electrodes 21 and 22.

[0079] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the display device 1 according to an embodiment.

[0080] refer to Figures 1 to 3 The display device 1 may include light-emitting elements 30 aligned or arranged on at least one electrode 21 or 22. For example, during the manufacturing process of the display device 1, at least one electrode 21 or 22 may be formed on a substrate SUB. The substrate SUB may include an aligned region AA and an unaligned region NAA. The light-emitting element 30 may be aligned with at least one electrode 21 or 22. Although the aligned region AA and the unaligned region NAA are illustrated in two dimensions, this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the aligned region AA and the unaligned region NAA may extend vertically above the substrate SUB.

[0081] In one embodiment, coating 80 may be formed on at least one electrode 21 or 22. For example, light-emitting element 30 may be disposed on coating 80 between first electrode 21 and second electrode 22. When manufacturing display device 1, coating 80 disposed on electrodes 21 and 22 can prevent the transferred light-emitting element 30 from diffusing in the fluid layer, thereby resulting in the smooth placement of light-emitting element 30 in alignment region AA on substrate SUB.

[0082] The light-emitting element 30 can be aligned or arranged between the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 to receive an electrical signal applied from an external power source. The light-emitting element can emit light of a specific wavelength band based on the electrical signal. The light-emitting element 30 can be aligned or arranged between the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 along a specific orientation direction. For example, as... Figure 3 As shown, the light-emitting element 30 can be horizontally aligned or arranged between the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22. For example, with Figure 3Unlike other light-emitting elements, the light-emitting element 30 can be vertically aligned or arranged between the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22.

[0083] Figure 4 The illustration shows the transfer process of the light-emitting element 30 according to an embodiment, and Figure 5 The illustration shows the force received by the light-emitting element 30 during alignment or arrangement according to an embodiment.

[0084] refer to Figure 4 During the transfer process, the light-emitting element 30 can be supplied to the fluid layer FL, and the light-emitting element 30 can be aligned with the at least one electrode 21 or 22 by moving from the fluid layer FL toward the at least one electrode 21 or 22. For example, the transfer process can be performed using a receiving cavity of a receiving substrate SUB and the fluid layer FL, and a chip supply unit CFU disposed above the receiving cavity.

[0085] The light-emitting element 30 can be discharged from a chip supply unit (CFU) to supply to a fluid layer FL. The chip supply unit (CFU) may include at least one supply nozzle for discharging the light-emitting element 30. For example, the supply nozzle may discharge the light-emitting element 30 to the fluid layer FL through multiple supply lines. During transfer, the chip supply unit (CFU) may be arranged on the fluid layer FL and may discharge the light-emitting element 30 in a vertically downward direction. For example, the chip supply unit (CFU) may discharge the light-emitting element 30 into a receiving cavity filled with the fluid layer FL. The receiving cavity may include a substrate SUB on which at least one electrode 21 or 22 is formed and a fluid layer FL filled on the substrate SUB.

[0086] The fluid layer FL may include a fluid for aligning the light-emitting element 30 with at least one electrode 21 or 22. The fluid may include at least one of a hydrophobic fluid and a hydrophilic fluid. The light-emitting element 30 may be movable within the fluid layer FL. For example, the light-emitting element 30 may be moved based on at least one of gravity and an electric field within the fluid layer FL.

[0087] refer to Figure 5 In the fluid layer FL, the light-emitting element 30 can be aligned with at least one electrode 21 or 22 by receiving a force via at least one of gravity G and electric field E.

[0088] In one embodiment, the light-emitting element 30 can descend towards at least one electrode 21 or 22 in the gravity field region GIA of the fluid layer FL by gravity G. For example, the light-emitting element 30 supplied to the fluid layer FL can descend vertically downward in either the alignment region AA or the unaligned region NAA of the substrate SUB. When the light-emitting element 30 moves vertically downward in the alignment region AA, it can be aligned with at least one electrode 21 or 22. The light-emitting element 30 moving vertically downward in the alignment region AA can be referred to as a first light-emitting element. When the light-emitting element 30 moves vertically downward in the unaligned region NAA, it can be a dummy light-emitting element 30_D that is not aligned with at least one electrode 21 or 22. The light-emitting element 30 moving vertically downward in the unaligned region NAA can be referred to as a second light-emitting element.

[0089] In one embodiment, the light-emitting element 30 can be aligned with the at least one electrode 21 or 22 in an electric field region EIA formed in the at least one electrode 21 or 22. For example, the at least one electrode 21 or 22 can form an electric field E by applying alternating current AC. The light-emitting element 30 can be stably fixed to the at least one electrode 21 or 22 by at least one of the electric field-based electrophoresis method and the electric field-based dielectric electrophoresis method.

[0090] For example, the light-emitting element 30 can be rotated by means of electrophoretic force. In this case, the positively charged end of the light-emitting element 30 moves to the negative electrode of at least one electrode 21 or 22, and the negatively charged end of the light-emitting element 30 moves to the positive electrode of at least one electrode 21 or 22, so that the light-emitting element 30 can rotate in a predetermined direction within the electric field region EIA. In other words, because the orientation and position are changed by electrophoretic force, the light-emitting element 30 can be arranged between at least one electrode 21 and 22.

[0091] For example, the light-emitting element 30 can be rotated by means of dielectric electrophoresis. In this case, one end and the other end of the light-emitting element 30 can have a predetermined polarity through dielectric polarization. For example, the degree of dielectric polarization of the light-emitting element 30 can vary proportionally to the intensity of the electric field E. The dielectrically polarized end and the other end of the light-emitting element 30 can rotate in the electric field region EIA according to the direction of the electric field E. In other words, while changing the orientation and position of the light-emitting element 30 by dielectric electrophoresis, the light-emitting element 30 can be arranged between at least one electrode 21 and 22.

[0092] like Figure 5As shown, the light-emitting element 30 in the unaligned region NAA that descends onto the substrate SUB may not be aligned with at least one electrode 21 or 22. The light-emitting element 30 in the unaligned region NAA may be a dummy light-emitting element 30_D (e.g., a second light-emitting element). Since the dummy light-emitting element 30_D does not output light from the display device, it can be removed or recovered by a separate process after the transfer process. For example, during the transfer process, a higher ratio of dummy light-emitting elements 30_D to light-emitting elements 30 may result in a lower transfer yield. The alignment structure of this disclosure and the display manufacturing method using this alignment structure can move the dummy light-emitting element 30_D in the unaligned region NAA to the aligned region AA, thereby minimizing the dummy light-emitting elements 30_D that will be removed or recovered and improving the transfer yield.

[0093] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the alignment structure of the light-emitting element 30 according to an embodiment. Figure 7 This is a perspective view illustrating the alignment structure of the light-emitting element 30 according to an embodiment, and Figure 8 This is a view illustrating the movement of the light-emitting element 30 from the unaligned region NAA to the aligned region AA according to an embodiment.

[0094] refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 The alignment structure may include: a substrate SUB defining an alignment region AA and a non-alignment region NAA therein, at least one electrode 21 and 22 formed on the substrate SUB, and a flow supply device 50 formed below the substrate SUB. For example, the light-emitting element 30 may move in the fluid layer FL toward at least one electrode 21 or 22 in the alignment region AA, and the light-emitting element 30 may be aligned with at least one electrode 21 or 22 based on an electric field.

[0095] In one embodiment, at least one electrode 21 or 22 may be formed on the substrate SUB. For example, at least one electrode 21 or 22 may be formed in an alignment region AA on the substrate SUB. At least one electrode 21 or 22 may be aligned with the light-emitting element 30 and may be electrically connected to the light-emitting element 30. For example, the light-emitting element 30 may be aligned with at least one electrode 21 or 22 by descending vertically by gravity in the gravity-affected region of the fluid layer FL and rotating in the electric field-affected region of the fluid layer FL by at least one of electrophoresis and dielectric electrophoresis.

[0096] In one embodiment, the flow supply device 50 can move the light-emitting element 30 in the unaligned region NAA to the aligned region AA by supplying flow to the fluid layer FL. For example, the flow supply device 50 can align the dummy light-emitting element 30_D, which is descending from the unaligned region NAA, with at least one of the gravity-affected region and the electric field-affected region of the aligned region AA.

[0097] The flow supply device 50 may include: a flow generator 51 that generates flow using a flow medium, a flow injector 52 that injects flow transmitted to the flow supply line FSL into the fluid layer FL, and a flow controller 53 that measures and controls the flow rate of the flow supply line FSL. For example, the flow generated from the flow generator 51 disposed below the substrate SUB can be transmitted to the flow injector 52 through the flow supply line FSL, and can be injected into the fluid layer FL through the flow injector 52 formed upward from the substrate SUB.

[0098] The flow generator 51 can generate a flow using a flow medium. For example, the flow medium can be a liquid that is the same as the fluid contained in the fluid layer FL. For example, the flow medium can be a gas that does not react with the fluid contained in the fluid layer FL. The flow generator 51 can generate a flow by outputting a flow medium comprising at least one of liquid and gas to the flow supply line FSL at a predetermined rate. For example, the flow generator 51 can be at least one of a circulator for circulating liquid and gas, a gas inlet for supplying gas to the receiving chamber, or a fluid pump for moving liquid and gas.

[0099] The flow injector 52 can be formed upward from the substrate SUB. For example, the flow injectors 52 can be arranged continuously in the unaligned region NAA of the substrate SUB in a spaced-apart manner.

[0100] like Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, flow injectors 52 can be arranged parallel to the direction along which at least one electrode 21 and 22 of the aligned region AA extends in the unaligned region NAA of the substrate SUB. Flow injectors 52 can inject flow into the fluid layer FL by injecting a flow medium transported via a flow supply line FSL into the fluid layer FL. For example, the flow can be injected toward the aligned region AA on the substrate SUB. The flow supply line FSL can be formed through the substrate SUB to transport the flow medium from a flow generator 51 formed beneath the substrate SUB to the flow injectors 52. For example, the flow injectors 52 can be formed on the substrate SUB with a height of 1 μm to 1000 μm. Flow injectors 52 can include injection ports for injecting the flow medium into the fluid layer FL. The injection ports can be formed in a predetermined shape and orientation. For example, the intensity and direction of the flow supplied to the fluid layer FL can be determined based on the shape and orientation of the injection ports.

[0101] The flow controller 53 can measure the flow rate by calculating the velocity of the flow medium being delivered to the flow supply line FSL. For example, the flow controller 53 may include at least one of a mass flow controller (MFC), a magnetic flow meter, a laser Doppler velocimeter (LDG), a volumetric flow meter, an ultrasonic flow meter, a vortex flow meter, or a differential pressure flow meter for measuring the velocity of the flow medium.

[0102] The flow controller 53 can control the flow based on the measured flow rate. For example, the flow controller 53 can decrease or increase the flow rate by comparing the measured flow rate with a reference flow rate. For example, when the flow rate of the flow supply line FSL is greater than a predetermined reference flow rate, the flow controller 53 can decrease the flow rate. For example, when the flow rate of the flow supply line FSL is less than a predetermined reference flow rate, the flow controller 53 can increase the flow rate. Here, the reference flow rate can be changed according to settings. For example, the reference flow rate can be changed taking into account at least one of the following: the size of the alignment structure, the arrangement of at least one electrode 21 and 22, the size of the light-emitting element 30, the type of fluid in the fluid layer FL, and the type of the flow medium.

[0103] like Figure 8As shown, some light-emitting elements (e.g., dummy light-emitting elements 30_D) in the light-emitting elements 30 supplied to the fluid layer FL may descend into the non-aligned region NAA. The flow supply device 50 can move the light-emitting elements 30 (e.g., dummy light-emitting elements 30_D) that have descended into the non-aligned region NAA to the aligned region AA by injecting a flow with a predetermined intensity and direction into the fluid layer FL through the flow injector 52. For example, the light-emitting element 30 may move to at least one of the gravity field region GIA and the electric field region EIA of the aligned region AA based on the flow injected from the flow injector 52. In this case, as the dummy light-emitting element 30_D moves to the aligned region AA based on the flow, the dummy light-emitting element 30_D can also be aligned with at least one electrode 21 or 22 by means of gravity and the electric field. Therefore, the alignment structure of the light-emitting element 30 of this disclosure and the method of manufacturing a display device using the alignment structure of the light-emitting element 30 can improve the transfer yield of the light-emitting element 30 by increasing the probability of the light-emitting element 30 of the fluid layer FL being aligned with the electrode.

[0104] Figure 9 The figure shows a flow supply device 50 according to an embodiment for supplying flow to a fluid layer FL in one direction.

[0105] refer to Figure 9 The flow supply device 50 can move the light-emitting element 30 of the unaligned region NAA to the aligned region AA by supplying flow in one direction of the fluid layer FL. The flow generator 51 can generate flow by outputting the flow medium to the flow supply line FSL at a predetermined speed. The flow injector 52 can inject flow into the fluid layer FL by emitting the flow medium transmitted through the flow supply line FSL into the fluid layer FL.

[0106] In one embodiment, the flow injector 52 may include an injection port for injecting a flow medium into the fluid layer FL. The intensity and direction of the flow supplied to the fluid layer FL can be determined based on the shape and orientation of the injection port. Figure 9 As shown, the flow injector 52 may include an injection port for injecting a flow medium in one direction. For example, the flow injector 52 may use the injection port to supply flow in one direction to the fluid layer FL, thereby moving the dummy light-emitting element 30_D of the unaligned region NAA to at least one aligned region AA adjacent to the unaligned region NAA.

[0107] For example, a light-emitting element 30 descending into an unaligned region NAA (e.g., a dummy light-emitting element 30_D) can be moved to the gravitational field region of an adjacent aligned region AA by a flow injected from the flow injector 52 in one direction. The light-emitting element 30 can descend vertically downwards in the gravitational field region of the aligned region AA by means of gravity G. The light-emitting element 30 can rotate in a specific direction in the electric field region of the aligned region AA by means of an electric field E. For example, the light-emitting element 30 can be aligned with at least one electrode 21 or 22 in the electric field region by at least one of electrophoresis and dielectric electrophoresis.

[0108] Figure 10 The figure shows a flow supply device 50 according to an embodiment for supplying flow to a fluid layer FL in two directions.

[0109] refer to Figure 10 The flow supply device 50 can move the light-emitting element 30 in the unaligned region NAA to the aligned region AA by supplying flow in both directions of the fluid layer FL. The flow generator 51 can generate flow by outputting flow medium to the flow supply line FSL at a predetermined speed. The flow injector 52 can inject flow into the fluid layer FL by emitting the flow medium transmitted through the flow supply line FSL into the fluid layer FL.

[0110] In one embodiment, the flow injector 52 may include an injection port for injecting a flow medium into the fluid layer FL. The intensity and direction of the flow supplied to the fluid layer FL can be determined based on the shape and orientation of the injection port. Figure 10 As shown, the flow injector 52 may include two injection ports for injecting a flow medium in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction. For example, the flow injector 52 may use the injection ports to supply flow to the fluid layer FL in both directions, thereby moving the dummy light-emitting element 30_D of the unaligned region NAA to at least one aligned region AA adjacent to the unaligned region NAA.

[0111] For example, a light-emitting element 30 descending into an unaligned region NAA (e.g., a dummy light-emitting element 30_D) can be moved to the gravitational field region of at least one adjacent aligned region AA by means of a flow injected from the flow injector 52 along a first and a second direction. The light-emitting element 30 can descend vertically downwards in the gravitational field region of the aligned region AA by means of gravity G. The light-emitting element 30 can rotate in a specific direction in the electric field region of the aligned region AA by means of an electric field E. For example, the light-emitting element 30 can be aligned with at least one electrode 21 or 22 in the electric field region by at least one of electrophoresis and dielectric electrophoresis.

[0112] Figure 11 The figure illustrates a flow supply device 50 according to an embodiment for forming vortices by supplying flow to a fluid layer FL.

[0113] refer to Figure 11 The flow supply device 50 can create vortices in the fluid layer FL to move the light-emitting element 30 in the unaligned region NAA to the aligned region AA. The flow generator 51 can generate flow by outputting the flow medium to the flow supply line FSL at a predetermined speed. The flow injector 52 can inject flow into the fluid layer FL by emitting the flow medium transmitted through the flow supply line FSL into the fluid layer FL.

[0114] In one embodiment, the flow injector 52 may include an injection port for injecting a flow medium into the fluid layer FL. The intensity and direction of the flow supplied to the fluid layer FL can be determined based on the shape and orientation of the injection port. Figure 11 As shown, the flow injector 52 may include an injection port for forming vortices in the fluid layer FL by injecting a flow medium. For example, the flow injector 52 may generate vortices in the fluid layer FL in at least one of a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction by injecting a flow medium, and may move the dummy light-emitting element 30_D of the unaligned region NAA to at least one aligned region AA adjacent to the unaligned region NAA based on the vortex.

[0115] For example, a light-emitting element 30 descending into an unaligned region NAA (e.g., a dummy light-emitting element 30_D) can be moved to the gravitational field region of at least one adjacent aligned region AA by means of gravity G in the gravitational field region of the aligned region AA. The light-emitting element 30 can also rotate in a specific direction in the electric field region of the aligned region AA by means of an electric field E. For example, the light-emitting element 30 can be aligned with at least one electrode 21 or 22 in the electric field region by at least one of electrophoresis and dielectric electrophoresis.

[0116] Figure 12 The illustration shows a method for manufacturing a display device using an alignment structure according to an embodiment.

[0117] refer to Figure 12The method for manufacturing a display device according to the present disclosure may include: forming at least one electrode 21 or 22 on a substrate SUB; and aligning a light-emitting element 30 with at least one electrode 21 or 22. Aligning the light-emitting element 30 with at least one electrode 21 or 22 may include: supplying the light-emitting element 30 to a fluid layer FL to move it to the substrate SUB in which an alignment region AA and a non-alignment region NAA are defined (operation 1210); using an electric field to align the light-emitting element 30, which has moved to the alignment region AA of the substrate SUB, with at least one electrode 21 or 22 (operation 1220); and supplying a flow to the fluid layer FL to move the light-emitting element 30, which has moved to the non-alignment region NAA of the substrate SUB, back to the alignment region AA (operation 1230).

[0118] According to an embodiment, in operation 1210, the light-emitting element 30 is supplied to a fluid layer FL for movement to a substrate SUB defining an alignment region AA and an unaligned region NAA therein. The light-emitting element 30 can be supplied to the fluid layer FL using a chip supply unit (CFU). The chip supply unit CFU may include at least one supply nozzle for discharging the light-emitting element 30. For example, the supply nozzle may discharge the light-emitting element 30 to the fluid layer FL through multiple supply lines. During the transfer process, the chip supply unit CFU may be positioned above the fluid layer FL and may discharge the light-emitting element 30 in a vertically downward direction. For example, the chip supply unit CFU may discharge the light-emitting element 30 into a receiving cavity filled with the fluid layer FL. The receiving cavity may include a substrate SUB on which at least one electrode 21 or 22 is formed and a fluid layer FL filled on the substrate SUB.

[0119] Furthermore, in operation 1210, supplying the light-emitting element 30 to the fluid layer FL for movement to the substrate SUB, in which alignment regions AA and unaligned regions NAA are defined, allows the light-emitting element 30 to move vertically downwards within the fluid layer FL based on gravity. The light-emitting element 30 can descend towards at least one electrode 21 or 22 on the substrate SUB by means of gravity G in the gravitational field region GIA of the fluid layer FL. For example, the light-emitting element 30 supplied to the fluid layer FL can descend vertically downwards in either the alignment region AA or the unaligned region NAA of the substrate SUB. When the light-emitting element 30 moves vertically downwards in the alignment region AA, it can be aligned with at least one electrode 21 or 22. When the light-emitting element 30 moves vertically downwards in the unaligned region NAA, it can be a dummy light-emitting element 30_D that is not aligned with at least one electrode 21 or 22.

[0120] According to an embodiment, in operation 1220, an electric field is used to align a light-emitting element 30, which has been moved to an alignment region AA of a substrate SUB, with at least one electrode 21 or 22. This alignment can be achieved using at least one of an electric field-based electrophoresis method and an electric field-based dielectric electrophoresis method. For example, the light-emitting element 30 can rotate in a predetermined direction within the electric field region EIA because, by means of electrophoretic force, one positively charged end of the light-emitting element 30 moves to the negative electrode of at least one electrode 21 or 22, and the other negatively charged end moves to the positive electrode of at least one electrode 21 or 22. In other words, by changing the orientation and position through electrophoretic force, the light-emitting element 30 can be arranged between at least one electrode 21 and 22. One end and the other end of the light-emitting element 30 can have a predetermined polarity through dielectric polarization. For example, the degree of dielectric polarization of the light-emitting element 30 can be varied proportionally to the intensity of the electric field E. For example, one end of the light-emitting element 30 that is dielectrically polarized by dielectric electrophoresis can be rotated in the electric field region EIA according to the direction of the electric field E. In other words, the light-emitting element 30 can be arranged between at least one electrode 21 and 22 in such a way that the orientation and position of the light-emitting element 30 can be changed by means of dielectric electrophoresis.

[0121] According to an embodiment, in operation 1230, a flow is supplied to the fluid layer FL to move the light-emitting element 30, which has moved to the non-aligned region NAA of the substrate SUB, back to the aligned region AA. This alignment of the light-emitting element 30 with at least one electrode 21 or 22 can be achieved by moving the light-emitting element 30, which has descended to the non-aligned region NAA by gravity, back to the aligned region. For example, the alignment structure may include: a substrate SUB defining the aligned region AA and the non-aligned region NAA; at least one electrode 21 and 22 formed on the substrate SUB; and a flow supply device 50 formed below the substrate SUB. The flow supply device 50 may supply fluid to the fluid layer FL to move the light-emitting element 30 located in the non-aligned region NAA to the aligned region AA. For example, the flow supply device 50 may align the dummy light-emitting element 30_D, which has descended from the non-aligned region NAA, with at least one electrode 21 or 22 in the aligned region AA by moving it to the aligned region AA.

[0122] Therefore, the alignment structure of the light-emitting element 30 according to the present disclosure and the method of manufacturing a display device using the alignment structure can move the dummy light-emitting element 30_D in the non-aligned region NAA to the aligned region AA by supplying a flow to the fluid layer FL.

[0123] Therefore, the alignment structure of the light-emitting element 30 disclosed herein and the method for manufacturing a display device using the alignment structure of the light-emitting element 30 can improve the transfer yield of the light-emitting element 30 by increasing the probability of alignment between the light-emitting element 30 and the electrode in the fluid layer FL. However, since this has already been described above, a repeating description is not given.

[0124] The display device according to various embodiments of this disclosure can be one of a variety of electronic devices. The display device may include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smartphone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. The display device according to embodiments of this disclosure is not limited to the devices described above.

[0125] It should be understood that the various embodiments of this disclosure and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technical features set forth herein to the specific embodiments, and include various changes, equivalents, or substitutions to the corresponding embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “the,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term “or” should be understood to cover any and all possible combinations of one or more of the listed items. As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” etc., are used only to specify the presence of the features, components, portions, or combinations thereof described herein, but the use of such terms does not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, components, portions, or combinations thereof. As used herein, each of phrases such as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C” can include all possible combinations of one or more items listed together corresponding to one of these phrases. As used herein, terms such as “first” and “second” or “primary” and “secondary” can be used to simply distinguish one part from another and do not limit the parts in other respects (e.g., importance or order).

[0126] As used herein, the term “section” or “module” can include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with other terms such as “logic,” “logic block,” “component,” or “circuit.” A “section” or “module” can be a single integral part or the smallest unit or portion thereof adapted to perform one or more functions. For example, according to an embodiment, a “section” or “module” may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0127] As used in various embodiments of this disclosure, depending on the context, the term "if" may be interpreted as "when," "in response to determining," or "in response to detecting." Similarly, depending on the context, "if A is determined" or "if A is detected" may be interpreted as "when A is determined," or "in response to determining A," or "when A is detected," or "in response to detecting A."

[0128] According to various embodiments, each of the components described above (e.g., a module or program) may include a single entity or multiple entities. Some of the multiple entities may be arranged separately in different components. According to various embodiments, one or more of the components described above may be omitted, or one or more other components may be added. Alternatively or additionally, multiple components (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a single component. In this case, according to various embodiments, the integrated component may still perform one or more functions of each of the multiple components in the same or similar manner as the corresponding component performed the function before integration. According to various embodiments, operations performed by a module, program, or other component may be performed sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or more operations may be performed in a different order or omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a display device, the method comprising: Multiple light-emitting elements are provided to a substrate through a fluid layer, the substrate including aligned and unaligned regions; A first light-emitting element, which is aligned with at least one electrode, is provided with an electric field to the alignment region of the substrate. as well as A second light-emitting element, which is provided to the unaligned region of the substrate, is moved to the aligned region by applying a flow to the fluid layer.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, Providing the plurality of light-emitting elements to the substrate through the fluid layer includes: At least one of the plurality of light-emitting elements is lowered vertically by gravity within the gravity-affected zone of the fluid layer; and At least one of the plurality of light-emitting elements is rotated in the electric field-affected region of the fluid layer by at least one of electrophoresis and dielectric electrophoresis.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, Moving the second light-emitting element, which is provided to the unaligned region of the substrate, to the aligned region by applying the flow to the fluid layer includes: The second light-emitting element is aligned with at least one electrode in the alignment region by using a flow supply device to move the second light-emitting element to at least one of the gravity-affected region and the electric field-affected region of the alignment region.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, Using the aforementioned streaming supply device includes: The flow is generated using a flow generator with a flow medium; The flow is injected from the flow supply line into the fluid layer using a flow injector; and The flow rate of the flow supply line is controlled by measuring the flow rate of the flow supply line using a flow controller.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, Using the flow medium to generate the flow includes: The fluid medium, comprising at least one of liquid and gas, is output to the flow supply line at a predetermined rate.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein, Injecting the flow from the flow supply line into the fluid layer includes: The flow is injected from a plurality of flow injectors spaced apart in the unaligned region of the substrate.

7. The method according to claim 4, wherein, Controlling the flow rate of the flow supply line based on the measurement of the flow rate of the flow supply line includes: The flow rate is reduced based on the fact that the flow rate of the supply line is greater than a predetermined reference flow rate; and The flow rate is increased because the flow rate of the supply pipeline is smaller than the predetermined reference flow rate.

8. The method according to claim 4, wherein, Injecting the flow from the flow supply line into the fluid layer includes: The flow medium is injected in one direction through the injection port, and The method of moving the second light-emitting element, which is provided to the substrate substrate in the unaligned region, to the aligned region by applying the flow to the fluid layer includes: By applying the flow in one direction within the fluid layer via the injection port, the second light-emitting element is moved to at least one aligned region adjacent to the unaligned region.

9. The method according to claim 4, wherein, Injecting the flow from the flow supply line into the fluid layer includes: The flow is injected through two injection ports, one along a first direction and the other along a second direction different from the first direction, into the flow medium. The method of moving the second light-emitting element, which is provided to the substrate substrate in the unaligned region, to the aligned region by applying the flow to the fluid layer includes: By applying the flow through the two injection ports along the first and second directions, the second light-emitting element is moved to at least one aligned region adjacent to the unaligned region.

10. The method according to claim 4, wherein, Injecting the flow from the flow supply line into the fluid layer includes: By injecting the fluid medium, vortices are generated in the fluid layer in at least one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, and The method of moving the second light-emitting element, which is provided to the substrate substrate in the unaligned region, to the aligned region by applying the flow to the fluid layer includes: The second light-emitting element is moved to at least one aligned region adjacent to the unaligned region based on the eddy current.

11. A display device, comprising: At least one electrode; and Multiple light-emitting elements aligned with the at least one electrode, During the alignment of the plurality of light-emitting elements with the at least one electrode, the plurality of light-emitting elements are supplied to a fluid layer and to a substrate including an alignment region and an unaligned region. In this process, an electric field is applied to the alignment region to align a first light-emitting element with the at least one electrode, and The second light-emitting element provided to the unaligned region moves to the aligned region based on the flow applied to the fluid layer.

12. The display device according to claim 11, wherein, During the process of aligning the plurality of light-emitting elements with the at least one electrode: At least one of the plurality of light-emitting elements descends vertically by gravity in the gravity-affected region of the fluid layer and is rotated in the electric field-affected region of the fluid layer by at least one of electrophoresis and dielectric electrophoresis.

13. The display device according to claim 12, wherein, The second light-emitting element, which is provided to the unaligned region among the plurality of light-emitting elements, is moved by a flow supply device to at least one of the gravity-affected region and the electric field-affected region of the aligned region to align with at least one electrode of the aligned region.

14. An alignment structure for a light-emitting element, comprising: The substrate includes aligned and unaligned regions; At least one electrode disposed on the substrate; and A flow supply device disposed on the substrate. In this configuration, a first light-emitting element from a plurality of light-emitting elements is provided to at least one electrode in the alignment region via a fluid layer, and an electric field is configured such that the first light-emitting element is aligned with the at least one electrode. The flow supply device is configured to move a second light-emitting element, which is provided to the unaligned region, from the plurality of light-emitting elements to the aligned region by applying a flow to the fluid layer.

15. The alignment structure according to claim 14, wherein, Based on at least one of the plurality of light-emitting elements descending vertically in the gravity-affected region of the fluid layer by means of gravity, the electric field is configured such that at least one of the plurality of light-emitting elements: Rotation is performed in the electric field-affected region of the fluid layer by at least one of electrophoresis and dielectric electrophoresis, and Aligned with the at least one electrode.

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