Organic light-emitting device

Abstract

To provide a technique to prevent a leakage current between pixels.SOLUTION: An organic light-emitting device of the present disclosure has: a first device that has a first lower electrode, a first luminous layer, a charge generating layer, a second luminous layer, and an upper electrode in this order on a substrate; a second device that has a second lower electrode, a third luminous layer, the charge generating layer, a fourth luminous layer, and the upper electrode in this order on the substrate; and an insulating layer that covers an end of the first lower electrode and an end of the second lower electrode. The first device has one or more organic layers between the first lower electrode and the charge generating layer. The insulating layer has a groove between the first lower electrode and the second lower electrode. An end of at least one organic layer of the one or more organic layers is arranged between the groove and the first device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology of the present disclosure relates to an organic light-emitting device. [Background technology]

[0002] An organic light-emitting element (also called an organic electroluminescence element (organic EL element)) is an electronic element having a pair of electrodes and an organic compound layer disposed between these electrodes. By injecting electrons and holes from the pair of electrodes, excitons of the light-emitting organic compound in the organic compound layer are generated, and when the excitons return to the ground state, the organic light-emitting element emits light. Recent progress in organic light-emitting elements has been remarkable, with progress being made in lowering driving voltages, diversifying emission wavelengths, achieving high-speed response, and making light-emitting devices thinner and lighter.

[0003] In order to increase the efficiency of these organic light-emitting devices, a method of forming an organic layer for each color using a metal mask, photolithography, or the like (hereinafter referred to as a color-separated method) is known.

[0004] On the other hand, in order to improve the power consumption of organic light-emitting devices, a tandem-type organic light-emitting device is known in which a charge generation layer is provided between multiple light-emitting layers. When an electric field is applied between the lower electrode and the upper electrode, carriers are generated in the charge generation layer, and the carriers are supplied to each light-emitting unit. This allows the light-emitting layer included in each light-emitting unit to emit light efficiently.

[0005] Patent Document 1 describes an organic light-emitting device in which a light-emitting layer is formed by a coating method. Patent Document 1 describes an organic light-emitting device having a first light-emitting unit and a second light-emitting unit between a first electrode and a second electrode, and having a charge generation layer between the light-emitting units. Patent Document 1 also describes that the thickness of the layer between the light-emitting layer of the first light-emitting unit and the light-emitting layer of the second light-emitting unit is made larger than the thickness between the first light-emitting layer and the first electrode, thereby increasing the light-emitting efficiency by the microcavity effect. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 9,209,422 [Patent Document 2] JP 2012-216338 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In the organic light-emitting device of Patent Document 1, a charge generation layer is provided between a plurality of light-emitting layers. When the charge generation layer is configured to be shared by a plurality of pixels, there is a possibility that a leakage current occurs when the charge supplied from the charge generation layer is supplied to an adjacent pixel. In order to reduce such leakage current between pixels, Patent Document 2 proposes a technique of forming a groove between sub-pixels. Since the thickness of the organic compound layer inside the groove is thinner than the thickness of the organic compound layer outside the groove, the resistance inside the groove is high. As a result, the leakage current between adjacent sub-pixels is suppressed, and the mixture of the emission colors of the adjacent sub-pixels is suppressed.

[0008] However, in the organic light-emitting device of Patent Document 1, due to the microcavity effect, the organic film is configured to be thick, for example, by increasing the thickness between the light-emitting layer of the first light-emitting unit and the light-emitting layer of the second light-emitting unit. Therefore, since the inside of the groove is filled with the organic film before the charge generation layer is formed, the charge generation layer is not formed inside the groove, and there is a possibility that the charge supplied from the charge generation layer is supplied to the pixel.

[0009] The technology of the present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above problems, and provides a technology for suppressing leakage current between pixels while increasing the light-emitting efficiency by utilizing the microcavity effect in an organic light-emitting element. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the organic light-emitting element according to the present disclosure includes an organic light-emitting element comprising: a first element having, on a substrate, a first lower electrode, a first light-emitting layer emitting light of a first color, a charge generating layer, a second light-emitting layer emitting light of the first color, and an upper electrode, in this order; a second element having, on the substrate, a second lower electrode, a third light-emitting layer emitting light of a second color different from the first color, the charge generating layer, a fourth light-emitting layer emitting light of the second color, and the upper electrode, in this order; and an insulating layer covering an end portion of the first lower electrode and an end portion of the second lower electrode, wherein the first element has one or more organic layers between the first lower electrode and the charge generating layer, the insulating layer has a groove between the first lower electrode and the second lower electrode, and an end portion of at least one of the one or more organic layers is disposed between the groove and the first element.

[0011] In addition, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the organic light-emitting device according to the present disclosure includes an organic light-emitting device comprising a first element having, in this order, a first lower electrode, a first light-emitting layer emitting light of a first color, a charge generating layer, a second light-emitting layer emitting light of the first color, and an upper electrode on a substrate; and a second element having, in this order, a second lower electrode, a third light-emitting layer emitting light of a second color different from the first color, the charge generating layer, a fourth light-emitting layer emitting light of the second color, and the upper electrode on the substrate, wherein the first element comprises a reflective layer and a first optical adjustment layer.

[0012] In addition, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the display device according to the present disclosure includes a display device having a plurality of pixels, wherein at least one of the plurality of pixels has the above-mentioned organic light-emitting element and a transistor connected to the organic light-emitting element. In addition, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the photoelectric conversion device according to the present disclosure includes a photoelectric conversion device having an optical unit having a plurality of lenses, an imaging element that receives light that has passed through the optical unit, and a display unit that displays an image captured by the imaging element, wherein the display unit has the above-mentioned organic light-emitting element. In addition, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an electronic device according to the present disclosure includes an electronic device characterized by having a display unit having the above-mentioned organic light-emitting element, a housing in which the display unit is provided, and a communication unit provided in the housing and communicating with the outside. In order to achieve the above object, the lighting device according to the present disclosure includes a lighting device characterized by having a light source having the above organic light-emitting element, and a light diffusion section or an optical film that transmits light emitted by the light source. In addition, in order to achieve the above object, a moving body according to the present disclosure includes a moving body characterized by having a lighting device having the above organic light-emitting element, and a body on which the lighting device is provided. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the technique of the present disclosure, in an organic light-emitting element, it is possible to suppress leakage current between the organic light-emitting elements while increasing the light-emitting efficiency by utilizing the microcavity effect. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a light-emitting element according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a light-emitting element according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a light-emitting element according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a light-emitting element according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a light-emitting element according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a light-emitting element according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a light-emitting element according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a light-emitting element according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a light-emitting element according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a light-emitting element according to a comparative example. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a light-emitting element according to a comparative example. [Figure 12] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a display device according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a display device according to an embodiment. [Figure 14] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an imaging device and an electronic device according to an embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a display device according to an embodiment. [Figure 16] 1 is a diagram showing an example of an automobile having a lighting device and a lamp according to an embodiment; [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wearable device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. In addition, in the drawings described below, parts having the same functions are given the same reference numerals, and their description may be omitted or simplified.

[0016] First Embodiment A light emitting element used in the first embodiment will be described below. Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a first subpixel 100a, a second subpixel 100b, and a third subpixel 100c of a light emitting element 1 according to this embodiment.

[0017] The light-emitting element 1 in FIG. 1 is configured in the order of lower electrodes 102a-102c, first organic layer 103, second organic layer 104, first light-emitting layers 105a-105c, and third organic layer 106 on a substrate 101. Furthermore, the light-emitting element 1 is configured in the order of charge generation layer 107, fourth organic layer 108, second light-emitting layers 109a-109c, fifth organic layer 110, upper electrode 111, and protective layer 112 on the third organic layer 106. Furthermore, as shown in the figure, an insulating layer 113 is provided to cover both ends of the lower electrode 102a, and the insulating layer 113 is also called a pixel separation film or a bank. Similarly, an insulating layer is provided to cover both ends of the lower electrodes 102b and 102c.

[0018] In addition, a groove 114 is formed in the insulating layer 113 as an isolation structure. Here, the first subpixel 100a is an example of a first element, the lower electrode 102a corresponds to a first lower electrode, the first light-emitting layer 105a corresponds to a first light-emitting layer that emits light of a first color, and the second light-emitting layer 109a corresponds to a second light-emitting layer that emits light of a first color. The second subpixel 100b is an example of a second element, the lower electrode 102b corresponds to a second lower electrode, the first light-emitting layer 105b corresponds to a third light-emitting layer that emits light of a second color, and the second light-emitting layer 109b corresponds to a fourth light-emitting layer that emits light of a second color.

[0019] In the light emitting element 1 of this embodiment, the first light emitting layers 105a to 105c and the second light emitting layer 109 are formed by a so-called color-coded method. That is, for example, an organic layer is formed for each color using a metal mask, photolithography, or the like. As a result, the first light emitting layers 105a to 105c emit light of different colors. Also, the second light emitting layers 109a to 109c also emit light of different colors. Also, in this embodiment, at least one of the first organic layer 103, the second organic layer 104, the third organic layer 106, the fourth organic layer 108, and the fifth organic layer 110 is formed by a color-coded method.

[0020] The light-emitting element 1 of the present embodiment is a so-called tandem type in which a charge generating layer is provided between a plurality of light-emitting layers. The light-emitting element has a charge generation layer 107. The charge generation layer 107 is a layer that generates holes and electrons by applying a voltage between a lower electrode and an upper electrode. The charge generation layer 107 contains a compound that easily accepts electrons from other organic compounds. For example, the charge generation layer 107 is formed by combining an alkali metal with a compound having a lowest unoccupied molecular orbital level energy of -5.0 eV or less, and can function as a charge generation layer. The alkali metal constituting the charge generation layer 107 may be Li, and Li may be used as a simple metal, as a part of a compound, or as a part of an organometallic complex.

[0021] The compound having a lowest unoccupied molecular orbital level energy of −5.0 eV or less used in the charge generation layer 107 may be, but is not limited to, a hexaazatriphenylene compound, a radialene compound, hexafluoroquinodimethane, etc. The lowest unoccupied molecular orbital level energy is low enough to extract an electron from the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the alkali metal, thereby enabling charge generation.

[0022] As a result, positive and negative charges are generated in the charge generation layer 107, and the charge generation layer 107 can supply positive or negative charges to layers above and below the charge generation layer 107. In other words, when an electric field is applied between the lower electrode and the upper electrode, carriers are generated in the charge generation layer 107 and the carriers are supplied to the first light-emitting layers 105a to 105c and the second light-emitting layers 109a to 109c, allowing both light-emitting layers to emit light efficiently.

[0023] The light emitting element 1 of the present embodiment is configured so that the sets of the first light emitting layers 105a-105c and the second light emitting layers 109a-109c emit the same color by adopting a color-coded method. For example, the set of the first light emitting layer 105a and the second light emitting layer 109a may be configured to emit red light, the set of the first light emitting layer 105b and the second light emitting layer 109b may be configured to emit green light, and the set of the first light emitting layer 105c and the second light emitting layer 109c may be configured to emit blue light.

[0024] Furthermore, the light-emitting element 1 of this embodiment also has a so-called microcavity structure. That is, when the optical path length from the upper surfaces of the lower electrodes 102a-102c to the light-emitting positions of the first light-emitting layers 105a-105c corresponding to the lower electrodes 102a-102c is Lr and the phase shift in the lower electrode 102 is Φr, the following formula (1) is established. Lr=(2m-(Φr / π))×(λ / 4) ···(1) Here, m is an integer equal to or greater than 0. The optical path length of the first organic layer 103 and the second organic layer 104 can be optimized for each color so as to satisfy the above formula (1).

[0025] Furthermore, the optical distance Ls from the light emission position to the reflecting surface of the upper electrode 111 is given by the following formula (2), where m' is an integer equal to or greater than 0, and m'=0 in this embodiment, where Φs is the phase shift of light with wavelength λ when it is reflected on the incident surface. Ls=(2m'-(Φs / π))×(λ / 4)=-(Φs / π)×(λ / 4) ···(2)

[0026] Therefore, for the total layer interference L, the condition shown in the following formula (3) is satisfied. L=Lr+L=(2m-Φ / π)×(λ / 4) ···(3) Here, Φ is the sum of phase shifts Φr+Φs when light of wavelength λ is reflected by the lower electrode 102 and the upper electrode 111.

[0027] Although the above describes the case of the first light-emitting layers 105a-105c, the same relationship holds true for the second light-emitting layers 109a-109c. Therefore, by configuring both the first light-emitting layers 105a-105c and the second light-emitting layers 109a-109c as a microcavity structure, the light-emitting element 1 can achieve more efficient light emission than light-emitting elements according to conventional technology.

[0028] [Suppression of leakage current between sub-pixels] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view enlarging the vicinity of the groove 114 in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the groove 114 is formed in the insulating layer 113, and the first organic layer 103, the third organic layer 106, the charge generating layer 107, the fifth organic layer 110, and the upper electrode 111 are arranged therein. Thus, in this embodiment, the subpixel 100a has one or more organic layers between the lower electrode 102a and the charge generating layer 107, and has the insulating layer 113 covering the end of the lower electrode 102a and the end of the lower electrode 102b. The insulating layer 113 also has a groove 114 between the lower electrode 102a and the lower electrode 102b. And, the end 104a of at least one organic layer (here, the second organic layer 104) between the lower electrode 102a and the charge generating layer 107 is arranged between the groove 114 and the subpixel 100a.

[0029] Therefore, in the light-emitting element 1, by preventing the second organic layer 104 and the first light-emitting layer 105a from being formed inside the groove 114 in the first subpixel 100a, the groove 114 is not filled with an organic film, and the charge generation layer 107 is formed inside the groove. Also, as shown in the figure, the thickness of the charge generation layer 107 on the inner sidewall portion of the groove 114 ("a" in the figure) is thinner than the thickness of the charge generation layer 107 on the outer flat portion of the groove 114 ("b" in the figure). This increases the resistance inside the groove 114, thereby suppressing leakage current between adjacent subpixels.

[0030] 10 shows a cross-sectional view of a light-emitting element 5 of the prior art as a comparative example of the light-emitting element 2 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, in the light-emitting element 5, a lower electrode 502a, a first organic layer 503, a second organic layer 504, a first light-emitting layer 505a, a third organic layer 506, a charge generating layer 507, and a fourth organic layer 508 are formed on a substrate 501 in this order from the substrate 501 side. Furthermore, in the light-emitting element 5, a second light-emitting layer 509a, a fifth organic layer 510, an upper electrode 511, and a protective layer 512 are formed on the fourth organic layer 508 in this order from the substrate 501 side. In addition, in the light-emitting element 5, an insulating layer 513 is provided to cover the end of the lower electrode 502a, and a groove 514 is formed in the insulating layer 513.

[0031] Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the groove 514 shown in Fig. 10. As shown in Fig. 11, the second organic layer 504 and the first light-emitting layer 505a are formed up to the inside of the groove 514. Therefore, when the charge generation layer 507 is formed, the groove 514 is already filled with an organic film. When a microcavity structure is adopted in the light-emitting element 5, the organic film becomes thick in order to satisfy the interference condition, and the groove 514 is likely to be filled with the organic film. As a result, the charge generation layer 507 is not formed in the groove, and a leakage current flows between adjacent subpixels, resulting in mixed color emission.

[0032] On the other hand, in the light-emitting element 2 of the present embodiment, in the first subpixel 100a, at least one of the first organic layer 103, the second organic layer 104, the first light-emitting layer 105a, and the third organic layer 106 between the lower electrode 102a and the charge generation layer 107 is not formed inside the groove 114. As a result, when the charge generation layer 107 is formed, the groove 114 is not filled with an organic film, and the charge generation layer 107 is formed inside the groove 114. As a result, the thickness of the charge generation layer 107 at the side wall portion inside the groove 114 ("a" in FIG. 2) is thinner than the thickness of the charge generation layer 107 at the outer flat portion of the groove 114 ("b" in FIG. 2), and leakage current between adjacent subpixels is suppressed. Note that the charge generation layer is also formed inside the groove for the second subpixel 100b and the third subpixel 100c in the same manner as the first subpixel 100a.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, at least one of the first organic layer 103, the second organic layer 104, the first light-emitting layer 105a, and the third organic layer 106 may be formed in at least a part of the groove 114. In FIG. 3, the second organic layer 104 and the first light-emitting layer 105a are formed in a part of the groove 114, and the groove 114 is not filled with an organic film when the charge generation layer 107 is formed. Furthermore, the thickest layer of the organic layers or light-emitting layers from the lower electrode 102 to the charge generation layer 107 does not have to be formed in at least a part of the groove 114. This makes it more difficult for grooves 114 to be filled with an organic film when charge generating layer 107 is formed.

[0034] In addition, by widening the width of the groove 114, it is possible to make the groove 114 less likely to be filled with an organic film when the charge generating layer 107 is formed. However, if the width of the groove 114 is widened so that the groove 114 does not interfere with the light-emitting region, the light-emitting region becomes smaller. If the light-emitting region becomes smaller, the current density required to produce the required brightness increases, and the light-emitting life of the organic light-emitting element becomes shorter. Furthermore, in order to prevent the light-emitting region from becoming smaller as the pixel size becomes smaller, the width of the groove 114 must also be narrowed. From this perspective, the light-emitting element 2 of this embodiment is also useful for miniaturizing the pixel size.

[0035] As described above, in the light-emitting device 1 according to the present embodiment, the inside of the groove is not filled with an organic film before the charge generation layer is formed, so that the charge generation layer is formed in the groove. The thickness of the charge generation layer inside the groove is thinner than the thickness of the charge generation layer outside the groove, and the resistance inside the groove is high. As a result, leakage current between adjacent subpixels is suppressed, and color mixing between adjacent pixels having different emission colors can be suppressed.

[0036] <Second embodiment> Next, a light emitting device according to a second embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0037] 4 shows cross-sectional views illustrating an example of the first subpixel 200a, the second subpixel 200b, and the third subpixel 200c of the light-emitting element 2 according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the light-emitting element 2 has a substrate 201, lower electrodes 202a to 202c, a first organic layer 203, and first light-emitting layers 205a to 205c, similar to the light-emitting element 1. Furthermore, the light-emitting element 2 has a third organic layer 206, a charge generating layer 207, a fourth organic layer 208, second light-emitting layers 209a to 209c, a fifth organic layer 210, an upper electrode 211, a protective layer 212, and an insulating layer 213, similar to the light-emitting element 1.

[0038] In the light-emitting element 2 of this embodiment, reflective layers 215a-215c and optical adjustment layers 216a-216c are further formed in comparison with the light-emitting element 1 of the first embodiment. The reflective layer 215a is an example of a first reflective layer, and the reflective layer 215b is an example of a second reflective layer. The optical adjustment layer 216a is an example of a first optical adjustment layer, and the optical adjustment layer 216b is an example of a second optical adjustment layer. The optical adjustment layers 216a-216c can be made of insulating layers. The lower electrodes 202a-202c can be made of transparent electrodes. Furthermore, in the light-emitting element 2, the grooves 114 in the light-emitting element 1 of the first embodiment are not formed.

[0039] In the light-emitting element 2 of the present embodiment, a microcavity structure may be adopted so that the thicknesses of the optical adjustment layers 216a to 216c are different for each subpixel. For example, the thickness of the optical adjustment layer 216a may be set so as to satisfy the interference condition for red, the thickness of the optical adjustment layer 216b may be set so as to satisfy the interference condition for green, and the thickness of the optical adjustment layer 216c may be set so as to satisfy the interference condition for blue.

[0040] The optical path length from the upper surface of the reflective layer 215a to the light emitting position of the first light emitting layer 205a is defined as L1a. The optical path length L1a is the sum of the optical distance from the upper surface of the lower electrode 202a to the first light emitting layer 205a, the optical distance of the thickness of the lower electrode 202a, and the optical distance of the thickness of the optical adjustment layer 216a. The optical path length from the upper surface of the reflective layer 215b to the light emitting position of the first light emitting layer 205b is defined as L1b. The optical path length L1b is the sum of the optical distance from the upper surface of the lower electrode 202b to the first light emitting layer 205b, the optical distance of the thickness of the lower electrode 202b, and the optical distance of the thickness of the optical adjustment layer 216b. The optical path length from the upper surface of the reflective layer 215c to the light emitting position of the first light emitting layer 205c is defined as L1c. The optical path length L1c is the sum of the optical distance from the upper surface of the lower electrode 202c to the first light emitting layer 205a, the optical distance of the thickness of the lower electrode 202b, and the optical distance of the thickness of the optical adjustment layer 216b. This is the sum of the optical distance to the optical layer 205c, the optical distance of the thickness of the lower electrode 202c, and the optical distance of the thickness of the optical adjustment layer 216c.

[0041] Similarly, the optical path length from the upper surface of the reflective layer 215a to the light emitting position of the second light emitting layer 209a is defined as L2a. The optical path length L2a is the sum of the optical distance between the upper surface of the lower electrode 202a and the second light emitting layer 209a, the optical distance of the thickness of the lower electrode 202a, and the thickness of the optical adjustment layer 216a. The optical path length from the upper surface of the reflective layer 215b to the light emitting position of the second light emitting layer 209b is defined as L2b. The optical path length L2b is the sum of the optical distance between the upper surface of the lower electrode 202b and the second light emitting layer 209b, the optical distance of the thickness of the lower electrode 202b, and the thickness of the optical adjustment layer 216b. The optical path length from the upper surface of the reflective layer 215c to the light emitting position of the second light emitting layer 209c is defined as L2c. The optical path length L2c is the sum of the optical distance from the upper surface of the lower electrode 202c to the second light emitting layer 209c, the optical distance through the thickness of the lower electrode 202c, and the thickness of the optical adjustment layer 216c.

[0042] In this manner, in the light emitting element 2 of this embodiment, an optical resonator structure is provided between the reflective layer 215a and the first light emitting layer 205a, which resonates the light emitted by the first light emitting layer 205a by reflecting it by the reflective layer 215a. In addition, an optical resonator structure is provided between the reflective layer 215b and the first light emitting layer 205b, which resonates the light emitted by the first light emitting layer 205b by reflecting it by the reflective layer 215b. In addition, an optical resonator structure is provided between the reflective layer 215c and the first light emitting layer 205c, which resonates the light emitted by the first light emitting layer 205c. In the light emitting element 2 of this embodiment, the total thickness of the organic layers is reduced by the optical distance of the thicknesses of the lower electrodes 202a to 202c and the optical adjustment layers 216a to 216c corresponding to the lower electrodes 202a to 202c. The thinner the total thickness of the organic layers, the smaller the voltage applied to the organic light emitting element. The total thickness of the organic layers is reduced by the optical distance of the thicknesses of the lower electrodes 202a to 202c and the optical adjustment layers 216a to 216c corresponding to the lower electrodes 202a to 202c, and the driving voltage is suppressed, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0043] Furthermore, Fig. 5 shows a light-emitting element 200 which is a modified example of the light-emitting element 2 of the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, in the light-emitting element 200, a groove 214 is further formed in addition to the light-emitting element 2 in Fig. 4. Moreover, Fig. 6 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the groove 214 formed in the first subpixel 200a in Fig. 5.

[0044] 6, in the first subpixel 200a, the thickness of the organic layer between the lower electrode 202a and the first light-emitting layer 205a can be reduced by the optical distance of the thickness of each of the lower electrode 202a and the optical adjustment layer 216a. Similarly, in the second subpixel 200b, the thickness of the organic layer between the lower electrode 202b and the first light-emitting layer 205b can be reduced. Similarly, in the third subpixel 200c, the thickness of the organic layer between the lower electrode 202c and the first light-emitting layer 205c can be reduced.

[0045] Furthermore, in the light-emitting element 2 of this embodiment, since an organic layer corresponding to the second organic layer 104 in the light-emitting element 1 is not formed, the grooves 214 are not filled with an organic film when the charge generation layer 207 is formed.

[0046] As described above, in the light emitting element 200, the charge generating layer is formed inside the groove, thereby suppressing leakage current between adjacent subpixels.

[0047] <Third embodiment> Next, a light emitting device according to embodiment 3 will be described. In the following description, the same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the first subpixel 300a, the second subpixel 300b, and the third subpixel 300c of the light-emitting element 3 according to this embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the vicinity of the groove 314 in FIG. 7. As shown in the figure, the light-emitting element 3 has a substrate 301, lower electrodes 302a to 302c, a first organic layer 303, and first light-emitting layers 305a to 305c, similar to the light-emitting element 200. Similarly to the light-emitting element 200, the light-emitting element 3 has a third organic layer 306, a charge generating layer 307, a fourth organic layer 308, second light-emitting layers 309a to 309c, a fifth organic layer 310, an upper electrode 311, a protective layer 312, and an insulating layer 313. Similarly to the light-emitting element 200, the light-emitting element 3 has reflective layers 315a to 315c and optical adjustment layers 316a to 316c.

[0049] In the light-emitting element 3 of this embodiment, compared to the light-emitting element 200 of the second embodiment, the first light-emitting layer 305a is not formed inside the groove 314. This makes it more difficult for the groove 314 of the light-emitting layer 3 to be filled with an organic film than the groove 214 of the light-emitting element 200. As a result, the charge generation layer 307 is formed inside the groove 314.

[0050] In the light-emitting element 3 of this embodiment, in the first subpixel 300a, the thickness of the organic layer between the lower electrode 302a and the first light-emitting layer 305a can be made thinner by the optical distance between the lower electrode 302a and the optical adjustment layer 316a. Furthermore, in the light-emitting element 3, by preventing the first light-emitting layer 305a from being formed inside the groove 314, the charge generation layer 307 can be formed inside the groove 314 without filling the groove 314 with an organic film. Also in the second subpixel 300b and the third subpixel 300c, the charge generation layer 307 can be formed inside the groove as in the first subpixel 300a.

[0051] As described above, similarly to the first and second embodiments, according to the light-emitting element 3, the charge generating layer is formed inside the groove, thereby suppressing leakage current between adjacent subpixels.

[0052] <Fourth embodiment> Next, a light emitting device according to a fourth embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0053] 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the first subpixel 400a, the second subpixel 400b, and the third subpixel 400c of the light-emitting element 4 according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the light-emitting element 4 has a substrate 401, lower electrodes 402a to 402c, a first organic layer 403, and a first light-emitting layer 405a to 405c, similar to the light-emitting element 3. Similarly to the light-emitting element 3, the light-emitting element 4 has a third organic layer 406, a charge generation layer 407, a fourth organic layer 408, a second light-emitting layer 409a to 409c, a fifth organic layer 410, an upper electrode 411, a protective layer 412, and an insulating layer 413. Similarly to the light-emitting element 3, the light-emitting element 4 has reflective layers 415a to 415c and optical adjustment layers 416a to 416c.

[0054] In the light emitting element 4 of this embodiment, a planarization layer 417 is formed in comparison with the light emitting element 3 of the third embodiment, and color filters 418a to 418c corresponding to the sub-pixels 400a to 400c are disposed on the planarization layer 417. The color filters 418a, 418b, and 418c are color filters that transmit different colors. Note that the color filters 418a, 418b, and 418c may not be provided in the light emitting element 4.

[0055] Furthermore, microlenses 419a to 419c corresponding to the sub-pixels 400a to 400c are formed on the color filters 418a, 418b, and 418c, respectively. Therefore, according to the light-emitting element 4 of the present embodiment, it is possible to efficiently extract light of each color output from the sub-pixels 400a to 400c by the microlenses 419a to 419c while suppressing leakage current between adjacent sub-pixels.

[0056] [Structure of organic light-emitting element] The organic light-emitting element of this embodiment is provided by forming an insulating layer, a lower electrode, a functional layer including a light-emitting layer, and an upper electrode on a substrate. A protective layer, a color filter, a microlens, etc. may be provided on the upper electrode. When a color filter is provided, a planarizing layer may be provided between the protective layer. The planarizing layer may be made of acrylic resin, etc. The same applies when a planarizing layer is provided between the color filter and the microlens.

[0057] [substrate] The material of the substrate constituting the organic light-emitting element may be at least one of quartz, glass, silicon, resin, and metal. In addition, a switching element such as a transistor and wiring may be provided on the substrate, and an insulating layer may be provided thereon. As the insulating layer, any material may be used as long as it can form a contact hole so that wiring can be formed between the first electrode and the insulating layer, and insulation from wiring that is not connected can be ensured. For example, resin such as polyimide, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, etc. may be used.

[0058] [electrode] A pair of electrodes can be used for the organic light-emitting element. The pair of electrodes may be an anode and a cathode. When an electric field is applied in the direction in which the organic light-emitting element emits light, the electrode with a higher potential is the anode, and the other is the cathode. It can also be said that the electrode that supplies holes to the light-emitting layer is the anode, and the electrode that supplies electrons is the cathode.

[0059] The material constituting the anode should have as large a work function as possible. For example, a metal such as gold, platinum, silver, copper, nickel, palladium, cobalt, selenium, vanadium, or tungsten, or a mixture containing these metals, can be used for the anode. Alternatively, an alloy combining these metals, or a metal oxide such as tin oxide, zinc oxide, indium oxide, indium tin oxide (ITO), or indium zinc oxide can be used for the anode. Also, a conductive polymer such as polyaniline, polypyrrole, or polythiophene can be used for the anode.

[0060] Any of these electrode materials may be used alone, or two or more of these materials may be used in combination. The anode may be composed of a single layer or multiple layers.

[0061] When the electrode of the organic light-emitting element is configured as a reflective electrode, the electrode material may be, for example, chromium, aluminum, silver, titanium, tungsten, molybdenum, or an alloy or laminate thereof. The above materials may function as a reflective film without serving as an electrode. When used as a transparent electrode, a transparent conductive layer of oxide such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide may be used, but is not limited to these. Photolithography technology may be used to form the electrode.

[0062] On the other hand, the material for the cathode should have a small work function. Examples of the material include alkali metals such as lithium, alkaline earth metals such as calcium, aluminum, titanium, manganese, silver, lead, chromium, and other metals or mixtures containing these metals. Alternatively, alloys combining these metals can be used. For example, magnesium-silver, aluminum-lithium, aluminum-magnesium, silver-copper, zinc-silver, and the like can be used. Metal oxides such as indium tin oxide (ITO) can also be used. These electrode materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more types. The cathode may have a single layer structure or a multi-layer structure. Among these, it is preferable to use silver, and it is even more preferable to use a silver alloy to reduce the aggregation of silver. As long as the aggregation of silver can be reduced, the ratio of the alloy is not important. For example, the ratio of silver to other metals may be 1:1, 3:1, and the like.

[0063] The cathode may be a top emission element using an oxide conductive layer such as ITO, or a bottom emission element using a reflective electrode such as aluminum (Al), and is not particularly limited. The method for forming the cathode is not particularly limited, but it is more preferable to use a direct current or alternating current sputtering method, etc., since the film coverage is good and the resistance can be easily reduced.

[0064] [Pixel isolation layer] The pixel separation layer is formed of a silicon nitride (SiN) film, a silicon oxynitride (SiON) film, or a silicon oxide (SiO) film formed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). In order to increase the resistance of the organic compound layer in the in-plane direction, it is preferable that the organic compound layer, particularly the hole transport layer, is formed thinly on the sidewall of the pixel separation layer. Specifically, the thickness of the sidewall can be thinned by increasing the taper angle of the sidewall of the pixel separation layer or the thickness of the pixel separation layer to increase vignetting during deposition.

[0065] On the other hand, it is preferable to adjust the sidewall taper angle and film thickness of the pixel separation layer to such an extent that no voids are formed in the protective layer formed thereon. Since no voids are formed in the protective layer, the occurrence of defects in the protective layer can be reduced. Since the occurrence of defects in the protective layer is reduced, deterioration in reliability such as the occurrence of dark spots and poor conduction of the second electrode can be reduced.

[0066] According to this embodiment, even if the taper angle of the sidewall of the pixel separation layer is not steep, it is possible to effectively suppress charge leakage to adjacent pixels. As a result of the study by the inventors of the present application, it was found that the charge leakage can be sufficiently reduced if the taper angle is in the range of 60 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less. The thickness of the pixel separation layer is preferably 10 nm or more and 150 nm or less. In addition, the same effect can be obtained even if the pixel electrode is composed only of a pixel electrode without a pixel separation layer. However, in this case, it is preferable that the thickness of the pixel electrode is half or less than that of the organic layer, or the pixel electrode end is forward tapered to less than 60 degrees, since this reduces short circuits of the organic light-emitting element.

[0067] [Organic compound layer] The organic compound layer of the organic light-emitting element may be formed as a single layer or multiple layers. When multiple layers are included, they may be called hole injection layer, hole transport layer, electron blocking layer, light-emitting layer, hole blocking layer, electron transport layer, or electron injection layer depending on their functions. The organic compound layer is mainly composed of organic compounds, but may also contain inorganic atoms or inorganic compounds. For example, it may contain copper, lithium, magnesium, aluminum, iridium, platinum, molybdenum, zinc, or the like. The organic compound layer may be disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, or may be disposed in contact with the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0068] [Protective layer] In the organic light-emitting device of this embodiment, a protective layer may be provided on the second electrode. For example, by bonding glass provided with a moisture absorbent on the second electrode, it is possible to reduce the intrusion of water and the like into the organic compound layer and reduce the occurrence of display defects. In another embodiment, a passivation film such as silicon nitride may be provided on the cathode to reduce the intrusion of water and the like into the organic compound layer. For example, after forming the cathode, the cathode may be transported to another chamber without breaking the vacuum, and a silicon nitride film having a thickness of 2 μm may be formed by the CVD method to serve as a protective layer. A protective layer may be provided using an atomic deposition method (ALD method) after the film formation by the CVD method. The material of the film formed by the ALD method is not limited, and may be silicon nitride, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, or the like. Silicon nitride may be further formed by the CVD method on the film formed by the ALD method. The film formed by the ALD method may have a smaller thickness than the film formed by the CVD method. Specifically, it may be 50% or less, or even 10% or less.

[0069] [Color Filter] In the organic light-emitting element of this embodiment, a color filter may be provided on the protective layer. For example, a color filter taking into consideration the size of the organic light-emitting element may be provided on another substrate and then bonded to the substrate on which the organic light-emitting element is provided, or a color filter may be patterned on the protective layer described above using a photolithography technique. The color filter may be made of a polymer.

[0070] [Planarization layer] In the organic light-emitting element of this embodiment, a planarization layer may be provided between the color filter and the protective layer. The planarization layer is provided for the purpose of reducing the unevenness of the layer below. In addition, when the purpose is not limited, the planarization layer may be called a resin layer. The planarization layer may be composed of an organic compound, and may be a low molecular weight or a high molecular weight, but is preferably a high molecular weight.

[0071] The planarization layer may be provided above and below the color filter, and may be made of the same or different materials.Specific examples of the materials include polyvinylcarbazole resin, polycarbonate resin, polyester resin, ABS resin, acrylic resin, polyimide resin, phenol resin, epoxy resin, silicone resin, and urea resin.

[0072] [Microlens] The organic light-emitting element may have an optical member such as a microlens on its light-emitting side. The microlens may be made of acrylic resin, epoxy resin, or the like. The microlens may be intended to increase the amount of light extracted from the organic light-emitting element and control the direction of the extracted light. The microlens may have a hemispherical shape. When the microlens has a hemispherical shape, among the tangents to the hemisphere, there is a tangent that is parallel to the insulating layer, and the tangent and the hemisphere are the vertices of the microlens. The vertex of the microlens can be determined in the same manner in any cross-sectional view. That is, among the tangents to the semicircle of the microlens in the cross-sectional view, there is a tangent that is parallel to the insulating layer, and the tangent and the semicircle are the vertices of the microlens.

[0073] It is also possible to define the midpoint of the microlens. In the cross section of the microlens, a line segment is imaginary from a point where an arc shape ends to a point where another arc shape ends, and the midpoint of the line segment can be called the midpoint of the microlens. The cross section for determining the vertex and midpoint may be a cross section perpendicular to the insulating layer.

[0074] The microlens has a first surface having a convex portion and a second surface opposite to the first surface. It is preferable that the second surface is disposed closer to the functional layer than the first surface. To achieve such a configuration, it is necessary to form a microlens on the light-emitting element. When the functional layer is an organic layer, it is preferable to avoid processes that result in high temperatures in the manufacturing process. In addition, when the second surface is disposed closer to the functional layer than the first surface, it is preferable that the glass transition temperatures of all organic compounds constituting the organic layer are 100°C or higher, and more preferably 130°C or higher.

[0075] [Opposite substrate] The organic light-emitting device of this embodiment may have an opposing substrate on the planarization layer. The opposing substrate is called an opposing substrate because it is provided at a position corresponding to the above-mentioned substrate. The constituent material of the opposing substrate may be the same as that of the above-mentioned substrate. When the above-mentioned substrate is the first substrate, the opposing substrate can be the second substrate.

[0076] [Organic layer] The organic compound layers constituting the organic light-emitting device of this embodiment (hole injection layer, hole transport layer, electron blocking layer, light-emitting layer, hole blocking layer, electron transport layer, electron injection layer, etc.) are formed by the following method. will be done.

[0077] The organic compound layer constituting the organic light-emitting device of this embodiment can be formed by a dry process such as a vacuum deposition method, an ionization deposition method, a sputtering method, a plasma method, etc. Also, instead of a dry process, a wet process can be used in which a layer is formed by dissolving the compound in an appropriate solvent and applying a known coating method (e.g., spin coating, dipping, casting method, LB method, inkjet method, etc.).

[0078] Here, when the layer is formed by a vacuum deposition method or a solution coating method, crystallization is unlikely to occur and the layer has excellent stability over time. When the layer is formed by a coating method, the layer can be formed by combining with a suitable binder resin.

[0079] Examples of binder resins include, but are not limited to, polyvinylcarbazole resin, polycarbonate resin, polyester resin, ABS resin, acrylic resin, polyimide resin, phenol resin, epoxy resin, silicone resin, urea resin, etc. Furthermore, these binder resins may be used alone as homopolymers or copolymers, or may be used in combination of two or more types. Furthermore, known additives such as plasticizers, antioxidants, and ultraviolet absorbers may be used in combination as necessary.

[0080] [Pixel circuit] The light-emitting device having the organic light-emitting element of this embodiment may have a pixel circuit connected to the organic light-emitting element. The pixel circuit may be an active matrix type that controls the emission of the first organic light-emitting element and the second organic light-emitting element independently. The active matrix type circuit may be voltage programming or current programming. The drive circuit has a pixel circuit for each pixel. The pixel circuit may have an organic light-emitting element, a transistor that controls the emission luminance of the organic light-emitting element, a transistor that controls the emission timing, a capacitance that holds the gate voltage of the transistor that controls the emission luminance, and a transistor for connecting to GND without passing through the light-emitting element.

[0081] The light emitting device has a display region and a peripheral region arranged around the display region. The display region has a pixel circuit, and the peripheral region has a display control circuit. The mobility of a transistor constituting the pixel circuit may be smaller than the mobility of a transistor constituting the display control circuit. The slope of the current-voltage characteristic of the transistor constituting the pixel circuit may be smaller than the slope of the current-voltage characteristic of the transistor constituting the display control circuit. The slope of the current-voltage characteristic can be measured by the so-called Vg-Ig characteristic. The transistor constituting the pixel circuit is a transistor connected to a light emitting element such as a first organic light emitting element.

[0082] [Pixels] The organic light-emitting element of this embodiment has a plurality of pixels. The pixels have sub-pixels that emit different colors from each other. The sub-pixels may have, for example, RGB emission colors. The pixels emit light in a region also called a pixel aperture. This region is the same as the first region. The pixel aperture may be 15 μm or less, or 5 μm or more. More specifically, it may be 11 μm, 9.5 μm, 7.4 μm, 6.4 μm, etc. The distance between the sub-pixels may be 10 μm or less, or more specifically, it may be 8 μm, 7.4 μm, 6.4 μm.

[0083] The pixels may have a known arrangement in plan view. For example, they may have a stripe arrangement, a delta arrangement, a pentile arrangement, or a Bayer arrangement. The shape of the subpixels in plan view may be any known shape. For example, they may be rectangular, quadrilaterals such as diamonds, or hexagons. Note that the shape of a subpixel is considered to be included in the rectangle if it is close to a rectangle. Therefore, the shape of a subpixel may be a shape that is close to any of the known shapes listed above. A pixel can be configured by combining the shape of the sub-pixels and the pixel arrangement.

[0084] [Applications of organic light-emitting devices] The organic light-emitting element according to the present embodiment can be used as a component of a display device or a lighting device. Other uses of the organic light-emitting element include an exposure light source for an electrophotographic image forming device, a backlight for a liquid crystal display device, and a light-emitting device having a white light source and a color filter.

[0085] The display device may be an image information processing device having an image input unit that inputs image information from an area CCD, a linear CCD, a memory card, etc., an information processing unit that processes the input information, and displays the input image on a display unit.

[0086] The display unit of the imaging device or inkjet printer may have a touch panel function. The driving method of the touch panel function may be an infrared type, a capacitance type, a resistive film type, or an electromagnetic induction type, and is not particularly limited. The display device may be used in the display unit of a multifunction printer.

[0087] Next, a display device including the organic light-emitting element according to the above embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Figures 12A and 12B are schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of a display device having an organic light-emitting element and a transistor connected to the organic light-emitting element. The transistor is an example of an active element. The transistor may be a thin film transistor (TFT).

[0088] FIG. 12A is an example of a pixel that is a component of a display device having a light-emitting element according to the embodiment. The pixel has sub-pixels 30. The sub-pixels 30 are divided into 30R, 30G, and 30B according to their light emission. The emitted light color may be distinguished by the wavelength emitted from the light-emitting layer, or the light emitted from the sub-pixels may be selectively transmitted or color-converted by a color filter or the like. Each sub-pixel has a reflective electrode 32 as a first electrode on an interlayer insulating layer 31, and an insulating layer 33 covering the edge of the reflective electrode 32. Furthermore, the sub-pixel 30 has an organic compound layer 34 that covers the reflective electrode 32 and the insulating layer 33, a transparent electrode 35 as a second electrode, a protective layer 36, and color filters 37R, 37G, and 37B.

[0089] A transistor and a capacitor may be disposed below or inside the interlayer insulating layer 31. The transistor and the first electrode may be electrically connected via a contact hole (not shown) or the like.

[0090] The insulating layer 33 is also called a bank or a pixel separation film. It covers the end of the first electrode and is disposed so as to surround the first electrode. The portion where the insulating layer is not disposed contacts the organic compound layer 34 and becomes a light-emitting region. The organic compound layer 34 has a hole injection layer 341, a hole transport layer 342, a first light-emitting layer 343, a second light-emitting layer 344, and an electron transport layer 345.

[0091] The transparent electrode 35 may be a transparent electrode, a reflective electrode, or a semi-transparent electrode as the second electrode. The protective layer 36 reduces the penetration of moisture into the organic compound layer. The protective layer 36 is illustrated as one layer, but may be multiple layers. Each layer may have an inorganic compound layer and an organic compound layer. The color filters are divided into color filters 37R, 37G, and 37B according to their colors. The color filters may be formed on a planarizing film (not shown). Also, a resin protective layer (not shown) may be provided on the color filters. Also, the color filters may be formed on the protective layer 36. Alternatively, the color filters may be provided on an opposing substrate such as a glass substrate and then bonded.

[0092] FIG. 12B shows a display device 60 having the light-emitting device according to the above embodiment. 0 has an organic light-emitting element 76 and a TFT 68 as an example of a transistor. A substrate 61 made of glass, silicon, or the like, and an insulating layer 62 is provided on the substrate. An active element 68 such as a TFT is disposed on the insulating layer 62, and a gate electrode 63, a gate insulating film 64, and a semiconductor layer 65 of the active element are disposed on the substrate. The TFT 68 is also composed of a semiconductor layer 65, a drain electrode 66, and a source electrode 67. An insulating film 69 is provided on the upper part of the TFT 68. An anode 71 constituting the organic light-emitting element 76 and the source electrode 67 are connected via a contact hole 70 provided in the insulating film 69.

[0093] The electrical connection between the electrodes (anode, cathode) included in the organic light-emitting element 76 and the electrodes (source electrode, drain electrode) included in the TFT 68 is not limited to the embodiment shown in Fig. 12B. In other words, it is sufficient that either the anode or the cathode is electrically connected to either the TFT source electrode or the drain electrode. Here, TFT refers to a thin film transistor.

[0094] 12B, the organic compound layer 72 is illustrated as one layer, but the organic compound layer 72 may be a multi-layer structure. A first protective layer 74 and a second protective layer 75 are provided on the cathode 73 to reduce deterioration of the organic light-emitting element.

[0095] Although the display device 60 in Fig. 12B uses transistors as switching elements, other switching elements may be used instead. The transistors used in the display device 60 in Fig. 12B are not limited to transistors using single crystal silicon wafers, and may be thin film transistors having an active layer on an insulating surface of a substrate. Examples of the active layer include single crystal silicon, amorphous silicon, non-single crystal silicon such as microcrystalline silicon, and non-single crystal oxide semiconductors such as indium zinc oxide and indium gallium zinc oxide. Thin film transistors are also called TFT elements.

[0096] The transistors included in the display device 60 of Fig. 12B may be formed in a substrate such as a Si substrate. Here, "formed in a substrate" means that the substrate itself such as a Si substrate is processed to produce the transistors. In other words, having a transistor in a substrate may mean that the substrate and the transistor are integrally formed.

[0097] The organic light-emitting element according to the above embodiment has its light emission brightness controlled by a TFT, which is an example of a switching element, and by providing the organic light-emitting element on a plurality of surfaces, an image can be displayed based on the respective light emission brightnesses. The switching element used here is not limited to a TFT, and may be a transistor formed of low-temperature polysilicon or an active matrix driver formed on a substrate such as a Si substrate. The term "on the substrate" includes the meaning of within the substrate. Whether to provide a transistor within the substrate or to use a TFT is selected according to the size of the display unit. For example, if the size is about 0.5 inches, it is preferable to provide the organic light-emitting element on a Si substrate.

[0098] Next, Fig. 13 shows a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a display device having an organic light-emitting element according to the above embodiment. The display device 1000 may have a touch panel 1003, a display panel 1005, a frame 1006, a circuit board 1007, and a battery 1008 between an upper cover 1001 and a lower cover 1009. The touch panel 1003 and the display panel 1005 are connected to flexible printed circuits FPC1002 and 1004. A transistor is printed on the circuit board 1007. The battery 1008 may not be provided if the display device is not a portable device, and may be provided in a different position even if the display device is a portable device.

[0099] The display device 1000 may have color filters having red, green, and blue colors. The color filters may be arranged in a delta arrangement of red, green, and blue colors. The display unit of the mobile terminal may be used as the display unit of a mobile terminal. In that case, the display unit may have both a display function and an operation function. Examples of the mobile terminal include mobile phones such as smartphones, tablets, and head-mounted displays.

[0100] Moreover, the display device 1000 may be used as a display unit of an imaging device having an optical unit with a plurality of lenses and an imaging element that receives light that has passed through the optical unit. The imaging device may have a display unit that displays information acquired by the imaging element. Moreover, the display unit may be a display unit exposed to the outside of the imaging device, or a display unit disposed within a viewfinder. The imaging device may be a digital camera or a digital video camera.

[0101] Next, Fig. 14A shows a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging device having an organic light-emitting element according to the embodiment. The imaging device 1100 may have a viewfinder 1101, a rear display 1102, an operation unit 1103, and a housing 1104. The viewfinder 1101 may have the above-mentioned display device. In this case, the display device may display not only an image to be captured, but also environmental information, imaging instructions, and the like. The environmental information may include the intensity of external light, the direction of external light, the moving speed of the subject, the possibility that the subject will be blocked by an obstruction, and the like.

[0102] Since the timing suitable for imaging is short, it is better to display information as soon as possible. Therefore, it is preferable to configure a display device with a fast response speed using the organic light-emitting element of the above embodiment. The display device using the organic light-emitting element of the above embodiment can be used more preferably than these devices, such as liquid crystal display devices, which require a high display speed.

[0103] The imaging device 1100 has an optical section (not shown). The optical section has a plurality of lenses, which form an image on an imaging element housed in a housing 1104. The focus of the plurality of lenses can be adjusted by adjusting their relative positions. This operation can also be performed automatically. The imaging device may be called a photoelectric conversion device. The photoelectric conversion device can include an imaging method that does not capture images sequentially, but detects the difference from the previous image, cuts out an image from an image that is always recorded, and the like.

[0104] FIG. 14B is a schematic diagram showing an example of an electronic device having an organic light-emitting element according to the embodiment. The electronic device 1200 has a display unit 1201, an operation unit 1202, and a housing 1203. The housing 1203 may have a circuit, a printed circuit board having the circuit, a battery, and a communication unit. The operation unit 1202 may be a button or a touch panel type reaction unit. The operation unit may be a biometric recognition unit that recognizes a fingerprint and performs unlocking or the like. An electronic device having a communication unit can also be called a communication device. The electronic device 1200 may further have a camera function by including a lens and an image sensor. An image captured by the camera function is displayed on the display unit. Examples of the electronic device include a smartphone and a notebook computer.

[0105] Next, FIG. 15A shows a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a display device having the organic light-emitting element according to the embodiment. FIG. 15A shows a display device 1300 such as a television monitor or a PC monitor. The display device 1300 has a frame 1301 and a display unit 1302. The organic light-emitting element according to the embodiment may be used in the display unit 1302. The display device 1300 also has a frame 1301 and a base 1303 that supports the display unit 1302. The base 1303 is not limited to the form shown in FIG. 15A. The lower side of the frame 1301 may also serve as the base. The frame 1301 and the display unit 1302 may be curved. The radius of curvature may be 5000 mm or more and 6000 mm or less.

[0106] 15B is a schematic diagram showing another example of a display device having the organic light-emitting element according to the embodiment. The display device 1310 in FIG. 15B is configured to be foldable. The display device 1310 is a foldable display device. The display device 1310 has a first display unit 1311, a second display unit 1312, a housing 1313, and a bending point 1314. The first display unit 1311 and the second display unit 1312 may have the organic light-emitting element according to the above embodiment. The first display unit 1311 and the second display unit 1312 may be a single display unit without a joint. The first display unit 1311 and the second display unit 1312 can be separated at the bending point. The first display unit 1311 and the second display unit 1312 may display different images, or the first display unit and the second display unit may display one image.

[0107] Next, FIG. 16A shows a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a lighting device having an organic light-emitting element according to the above embodiment. The lighting device 1400 may have a housing 1401, a light source 1402, a circuit board 1403, an optical film 1404, and a light diffusion unit 1405. The light source has the organic light-emitting element according to the above embodiment. The optical filter may be a filter that improves the color rendering of the light source. The light diffusion unit can effectively diffuse the light of the light source, such as for lighting up, and deliver the light to a wide range. The optical filter and the light diffusion unit may be provided on the light emission side of the lighting. If necessary, a cover may be provided on the outermost part.

[0108] The lighting device 1400 is, for example, a device that illuminates a room. The lighting device may emit white, neutral white, or any other color from blue to red. It may have a dimming circuit that dims them. The lighting device 1400 may have an organic light-emitting element according to the above embodiment and a power supply circuit connected thereto. The power supply circuit is a circuit that converts AC voltage to DC voltage. Moreover, white has a color temperature of 4200K, and neutral white has a color temperature of 5000K. Moreover, the lighting device 1400 may have a color filter. Moreover, the lighting device 1400 may have a heat dissipation unit. The heat dissipation unit dissipates heat inside the device to the outside of the device, and examples of the heat dissipation unit include metals with high specific heat and liquid silicon.

[0109] 16B is a schematic diagram of an automobile, which is an example of a moving body having the organic light-emitting element according to the embodiment. The automobile has a tail lamp, which is an example of a lamp. The automobile 1500 has a tail lamp 1501, and may be configured to turn on the tail lamp when braking or the like is performed.

[0110] The tail lamp 1501 has an organic light-emitting element according to the above embodiment. The tail lamp may have a protective member for protecting the organic EL element. The protective member may be made of any material as long as it has a certain degree of strength and is transparent, but is preferably made of polycarbonate or the like. Polycarbonate may be mixed with a furandicarboxylic acid derivative, an acrylonitrile derivative, or the like.

[0111] An automobile 1500 may have a body 1503 and a window 1502 attached thereto. The window may be a transparent display as long as it is not a window for checking the front and rear of the automobile. The transparent display may have an organic light-emitting element according to the above embodiment. In this case, the constituent materials of the electrodes and the like of the organic light-emitting element are made of transparent materials.

[0112] Furthermore, the moving object having the organic light-emitting element according to the above embodiment may be a ship, an aircraft, a drone, or the like. The moving object may have a body and a lamp provided on the body. The lamp may emit light to indicate the position of the body. The lamp has the organic light-emitting element according to the above embodiment.

[0113] In addition, the display device having the organic light-emitting element according to the above embodiment can be applied to a system that can be attached as a wearable device such as smart glasses, HMD, smart contacts, etc. The image capturing and display device used in such an application example has an image capturing device capable of photoelectrically converting visible light, and a display device capable of emitting visible light.

[0114] 17A shows glasses 1600 (smart glasses) according to an application example of a display device having the organic light-emitting element of the above embodiment. An imaging device 1602 such as a CMOS sensor or a SPAD is provided on the front side of a lens 1601 of the glasses 1600. In addition, any of the display devices described above is provided on the back side of the lens 1601.

[0115] The glasses 1600 further include a control device 1603. The control device 1603 functions as a power source that supplies power to the image capture device 1602 and the display device according to each embodiment. The control device 1603 also controls the operations of the image capture device 1602 and the display device. The lens 1601 is formed with an optical system for focusing light on the image capture device 1602.

[0116] FIG. 17B shows glasses 1610 (smart glasses) according to another application example of the display device having the organic light-emitting element of the embodiment. The glasses 1610 have a control device 1612. The control device 1612 is equipped with an imaging device corresponding to the imaging device 1602 and a display device. An optical system for projecting light emitted by the display device in the control device 1612 is formed in the lens 1611, and an image is projected onto the lens 1611. The control device 1612 functions as a power source that supplies power to the imaging device and the display device, and controls the operation of the imaging device and the display device. The control device may have a line-of-sight detection unit that detects the line of sight of the wearer. Infrared light may be used to detect the line of sight. The infrared light emission unit emits infrared light to the eyeball of a user gazing at a displayed image. An imaging unit having a light receiving element detects the reflected light of the emitted infrared light from the eyeball, thereby obtaining an image of the eyeball. By having a reduction means for reducing light from the infrared light emission unit to the display unit in a planar view, deterioration of image quality is reduced.

[0117] The gaze of the user with respect to the displayed image is detected from an image of the eyeball obtained by capturing infrared light. Any known method can be applied to gaze detection using the image of the eyeball. As an example, a gaze detection method based on a Purkinje image formed by reflection of irradiated light on the cornea can be used. More specifically, the gaze detection process is performed based on the pupil-corneal reflex method. Using the pupil-corneal reflex method, a gaze vector that indicates the direction (rotation angle) of the eyeball is calculated based on the pupil image and the Purkinje image included in the captured image of the eyeball, thereby detecting the user's gaze.

[0118] The display device having the organic light-emitting element according to the above embodiment may have an imaging device having a light-receiving element, and may control the display image of the display device based on information about the user's line of sight from the imaging device.

[0119] Specifically, the display device determines a first field of view area to which the user gazes and a second field of view area other than the first field of view area based on the line-of-sight information. The first field of view area and the second field of view area may be determined by a control device of the display device, or may be determined by an external control device and received by the display device. In the display area of ​​the display device, the display resolution of the first field of view area may be controlled to be higher than the display resolution of the second field of view area. In other words, the resolution of the second field of view area may be lower than that of the first field of view area.

[0120] The display area may have a first display area and a second display area different from the first display area, and the display device may select an area with a high priority from the first display area and the second display area based on line-of-sight information. The first field of view area and the second field of view area may be determined by a control device of the display device, or may be determined by an external control device and received by the display device. The display device may control the resolution of the area with a high priority to be higher than the resolution of areas other than the area with a high priority. In other words, the display device may lower the resolution of an area with a relatively low priority.

[0121] The display device may use AI (Artificial Intelligence) to determine the first field of view area or the area with high priority. The AI ​​may be a model configured to estimate the angle of the line of sight and the distance to an object at the end of the line of sight from an image of the eyeball, using an image of the eyeball and the direction in which the eyeball in the image was actually looking as teacher data. The AI ​​program may be included in the display device, the imaging device, or an external device. If the external device has the AI ​​program, the AI ​​program is transmitted from the external device to the display device via communication.

[0122] When the display device controls display based on visual recognition detection, the display device can be preferably applied to smart glasses further including an imaging device for capturing an image of the outside world. The smart glasses can display captured outside information in real time.

[0123] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) a first element having, on a substrate, a first lower electrode, a first light-emitting layer that emits light of a first color, a charge generating layer, a second light-emitting layer that emits light of the first color, and an upper electrode, in this order; a second element having, on the substrate, a second lower electrode, a third light-emitting layer emitting light of a second color different from the first color, the charge generating layer, a fourth light-emitting layer emitting light of the second color, and the upper electrode, in this order; an insulating layer covering an end portion of the first lower electrode and an end portion of the second lower electrode; having the first element has one or more organic layers between the first bottom electrode and the charge generating layer; the insulating layer has a groove between the first bottom electrode and the second bottom electrode; An edge of at least one of the one or more organic layers is disposed between the groove and the first element. The organic light-emitting device according to the present invention is characterized in that (Configuration 2) 2. The organic light-emitting device according to configuration 1, wherein the thickest layer of the one or more organic layers is not formed in at least a part of the groove. (Configuration 3) the first element has a reflective layer and a first optical adjustment layer; The second element has the reflective layer and a second optical adjustment layer. 3. The organic light-emitting device according to configuration 2. (Configuration 4) a first element having, on a substrate, a first lower electrode, a first light-emitting layer that emits light of a first color, a charge generating layer, a second light-emitting layer that emits light of the first color, and an upper electrode, in this order; a second element having, on the substrate, a second lower electrode, a third light-emitting layer emitting light of a second color different from the first color, the charge generating layer, a fourth light-emitting layer emitting light of the second color, and the upper electrode, in this order; having The first element has a first reflective layer and a first optical adjustment layer. The organic light-emitting device according to the present invention is characterized in that (Configuration 5) The second element has a second reflective layer and a second optical adjustment layer having a thickness different from that of the first optical adjustment layer. 5. The organic light-emitting device according to configuration 4. (Configuration 6) The organic light-emitting element according to configuration 4, characterized in that an optical resonator structure that resonates the first color light is provided between the first reflective layer and the first optical adjustment layer. (Configuration 7) The organic light-emitting element described in configuration 5, characterized in that an optical resonator structure that resonates the second color light is provided between the second reflective layer and the second optical adjustment layer. (Configuration 8) an insulating layer is formed on the first lower electrode; The insulating layer has a groove. 8. The organic light-emitting device according to any one of configurations 4 to 7, (Configuration 9) the first element has one or more organic layers between the first bottom electrode and the charge generating layer; 9. The organic light-emitting device according to configuration 8, wherein at least one of the one or more organic layers is not formed in at least a part of the groove. (Configuration 10) the first element has one or more organic layers between the first bottom electrode and the charge generating layer; 9. The organic light-emitting device according to configuration 8, wherein the thickest layer of the one or more organic layers is not formed in at least a portion of the groove. (Configuration 11) A display device having a plurality of pixels, At least one of the pixels has an organic light-emitting element according to any one of configurations 1 to 10 and a transistor connected to the organic light-emitting element. A display device comprising: (Configuration 12) An optical section having a plurality of lenses; an imaging element that receives light that has passed through the optical unit; a display unit that displays an image captured by the imaging element; having The display unit has the organic light-emitting element according to any one of configurations 1 to 10. A photoelectric conversion device comprising: (Configuration 13) A display unit having the organic light-emitting element according to any one of configurations 1 to 10; A housing provided with the display unit; A communication unit provided in the housing for communicating with an external device; 1. An electronic device comprising: (Configuration 14) A light source having the organic light-emitting element according to any one of configurations 1 to 10; a light diffusing portion or an optical film that transmits light emitted by the light source; A lighting device comprising: (Configuration 15) A lighting device having the organic light-emitting element according to any one of configurations 1 to 10; An aircraft having the lighting device provided thereon; A moving object comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0124] 1 light emitting element, 102a to 102c lower electrode, 103, 104, 106, 108, 110 organic layer, 105a to 105c first light emitting layer, 107 charge generating layer, 109a to 109c second light emitting layer, 111 upper electrode

Claims

1. a first element having, on a substrate, a first lower electrode, a first light-emitting layer that emits light of a first color, a charge generating layer, a second light-emitting layer that emits light of the first color, and an upper electrode, in this order; a second element having, on the substrate, a second lower electrode, a third light-emitting layer that emits light of a second color different from the first color, the charge generating layer, a fourth light-emitting layer that emits light of the second color, and the upper electrode, in this order; an insulating layer covering an end portion of the first lower electrode and an end portion of the second lower electrode; and the first element has one or more organic layers between the first bottom electrode and the charge generating layer; the insulating layer has a groove between the first lower electrode and the second lower electrode; an edge of at least one of the one or more organic layers is disposed between the groove and the first element; An organic light-emitting device characterized by:

2. The organic light-emitting device according to claim 1 , wherein the thickest layer of the one or more organic layers is not formed in at least a part of the groove.

3. the first element has a reflective layer and a first optical adjustment layer; The second element has the reflective layer and a second optical adjustment layer. The organic light-emitting device according to claim 2 .

4. The organic light-emitting element described in claim 1, characterized in that the first element has a first reflective layer and a first optical adjustment layer between the substrate and the first lower electrode.

5. The organic light-emitting element described in claim 4, characterized in that the second element has a second reflective layer between the substrate and the second lower electrode and a second optical adjustment layer having a thickness different from that of the first optical adjustment layer.

6. A light beam that resonates the first color light between the first reflective layer and the first optical adjustment layer.

5. The organic light-emitting device according to claim 4, further comprising a resonator structure.

7. The organic light-emitting element according to claim 5 , wherein an optical resonator structure that resonates the second color light is provided between the second reflective layer and the second optical adjustment layer.

8. an insulating layer is formed on the first lower electrode; The insulating layer has a groove. The organic light-emitting device according to claim 4 .

9. the first element has one or more organic layers between the first bottom electrode and the charge generating layer; The organic light-emitting device according to claim 8 , wherein at least one of the one or more organic layers is not formed in at least a part of the groove.

10. the first element has one or more organic layers between the first bottom electrode and the charge generating layer; the thickest layer of the one or more organic layers is not formed in at least a portion of the groove; The organic light-emitting device according to claim 8 .

11. A display device having a plurality of pixels, At least one of the plurality of pixels comprises the organic light-emitting element according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a transistor connected to the organic light-emitting element. A display device characterized by:

12. an optical section having a plurality of lenses; an imaging element that receives light that has passed through the optical unit; a display unit that displays an image captured by the imaging element; and The display unit includes the organic light-emitting element according to any one of claims 1 to 10. A photoelectric conversion device characterized by:

13. A display unit having the organic light-emitting element according to claim 1 ; a housing provided with the display unit; a communication unit provided in the housing for communicating with an external device; An electronic device comprising:

14. A light source having the organic light-emitting element according to any one of claims 1 to 10; a light diffusing portion or an optical film that transmits light emitted by the light source; A lighting device comprising:

15. A lighting fixture having the organic light-emitting element according to any one of claims 1 to 10; an aircraft on which the lighting fixture is provided; A moving object characterized by having:

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