Display device, optical system, and electronic apparatus

Abstract

Provided is a display device in which the chief ray angle (CRA) is controlled.　This display device comprises: a plurality of light-emitting elements that are two-dimensionally arranged; and a protective layer that contains an inorganic material and that seals a display surface side. The protective layer has a lens array on a surface opposite to the side of the plurality of light-emitting elements.

Description

Display devices, optical systems, and electronic devices

[0001] This disclosure relates to a display device, an optical system and electronic equipment comprising the same.

[0002] In recent years, display devices have been incorporated into various electronic devices, including eyewear. Therefore, technologies related to the control of light rays in these display devices are in demand.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses the following as a technique relating to the control of light rays in a display device: That is, in at least a portion of the display surface of the display device, the light emitting part and the color filter are arranged such that a relative positional shift occurs between the center of the light-emitting surface of the light emitting part (e.g., a light-emitting element) and the center of the color filter corresponding to the light emitting part in a plane perpendicular to the stacking direction.

[0004] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-56527

[0005] The object of this disclosure is to provide a display device capable of controlling light rays, an optical system and electronic equipment equipped therewith.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems, a display device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged light-emitting elements and a protective layer containing an inorganic material that seals the display surface, wherein the protective layer has a lens array on the side opposite to the plurality of light-emitting elements.

[0007] A display device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged light-emitting elements and a protective layer containing an inorganic material that seals the display surface side, wherein the protective layer has an inclined portion on the side opposite to the plurality of light-emitting elements, and the inclined portion is inclined from the center of the display area toward the outer periphery.

[0008] Figure 1 is a plan view of a display device according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a plan view showing an enlarged portion of the display area. Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view along the line IIIA-IIIA in Figure 1. Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view along the line IIIB-IIIB in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of Figure 3A. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of Figure 4. Figure 6A is a cross-sectional view of an OLED layer having a single-layer light-emitting unit. Figure 6B is a cross-sectional view of an OLED layer having two-layer light-emitting units. Figure 7 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the light-emitting element and the lens. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the optical system. Figure 9 is a plan view of a display device according to the second embodiment. Figure 10A is a cross-sectional view along the line XA-XA in Figure 9. Figure 10B is a cross-sectional view along the line XB-XB in Figure 9. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of Figure 10A. Figure 12 is a plan view of a display device according to the third embodiment. Figure 13A is a cross-sectional view along the line XIIIA-XIIIA in Figure 12. Figure 13B is a cross-sectional view along the line XIIIB-XIIIB in Figure 12. Figure 14 is a perspective view of the lens array. Figure 15A is a first cross-section (XZ section) of the display device according to the fourth embodiment. Figure 15B is a second cross-section (YZ section) of the display device according to the fourth embodiment. Figure 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of Figure 15A. Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of the optical system. Figure 18A is a first cross-section (XZ section) of the display device according to the fifth embodiment. Figure 18B is a second cross-section (YZ section) of the display device according to the fifth embodiment. Figure 19 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of Figure 18A. Figure 20A is a first cross-section (XZ section) of the display device according to the sixth embodiment. Figure 20B is a second cross-section (YZ section) of the display device according to the sixth embodiment. Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the first embodiment of the display device. Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the first embodiment of the display device. Figure 23 is a plan view of a modified display device according to the first embodiment. Figure 24A is a cross-sectional view along the line XXIVA-XXIVA in Figure 23. Figure 24B is a cross-sectional view along the line XXIVB-XXIVB in Figure 23. Figure 25A is a view of the first cross-section (XZ section) of a modified display device according to the second embodiment.Figure 25B is a diagram of a second cross-section (YZ section) of a display device according to a modified example of the second embodiment. Figure 26A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a first example of a resonator structure. Figure 26B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a second example of a resonator structure. Figure 27A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a third example of a resonator structure. Figure 27B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a fourth example of a resonator structure. Figure 28A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a fifth example of a resonator structure. Figure 28B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a sixth example of a resonator structure. Figure 29 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a seventh example of a resonator structure. Figure 30 is a perspective view of a head-mounted display. Figure 31 is a perspective view of a see-through head-mounted display.

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described in the following order: 1. General description of the display device and electronic device related to this disclosure 2. First embodiment (example of a display device) 3. Second embodiment (example of a display device) 4. Fourth embodiment (example of a display device) 5. Fifth embodiment (example of a display device) 6. Sixth embodiment (example of a display device) 7. Modifications 8. Application examples (example of an electronic device)

[0010] The embodiments described below are preferred examples of the present disclosure, and the content of the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. In all the figures of the following embodiments, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In addition, in order to prevent the illustration from becoming complicated, only some components may be denoted by reference numerals, or the illustration may be simplified, enlarged, or reduced.

[0011] <1. General Description of Display Devices and Electronic Devices Related to the Disclosure> In a display device according to the first aspect of the Disclosure, the protective layer sealing the display surface has a lens array on the side opposite to the side of the plurality of light-emitting elements. This allows the light emitted from the display surface to be controlled by the lens array.

[0012] A display device according to a first aspect of this disclosure preferably further comprises a plurality of optical control units provided between a plurality of light-emitting elements and a protective layer, which are capable of controlling the light emitted from the light-emitting elements. This allows the light emitted from the light-emitting elements to be controlled by the optical control units before being incident on the lens array.

[0013] In a display device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, the optical control by the optical control unit preferably includes both or either focusing and collimating. This allows the light emitted from the light-emitting element to be focused and collimated by the optical control unit or either before being incident on the lens array.

[0014] In a display device according to a first aspect of this disclosure, the light control unit preferably includes a reflective surface that surrounds the light-emitting region of a light-emitting element in a plan view and is capable of totally reflecting the light emitted from the light-emitting element, and a first lens provided on the display surface side of the reflective surface. This makes it possible to totally reflect the component of light emitted diagonally upward from the light-emitting element that is incident on the reflective surface at an incident angle of a predetermined value or greater, and direct it toward the front. Furthermore, it is possible to control the direction of propagation of the light emitted upward from the light-emitting element and the light totally reflected by the reflective surface using the first lens before injecting them into the lens array. Therefore, it is possible to control the light rays while suppressing a decrease in the light extraction efficiency of the display device.

[0015] In a display device according to a first aspect of this disclosure, it is preferable that the first lens is capable of collimating at least a portion of the light emitted from the light-emitting element. This makes it possible to collide at least a portion of the light emitted from the light-emitting element with the first lens before it is incident on the lens array. Therefore, it becomes easier to control the rays of the incident light with the lens array.

[0016] In a display device according to a first aspect of this disclosure, the optical control unit preferably includes an optical waveguide capable of guiding light emitted from a light-emitting element upward, and a first lens provided on the display surface side of the optical waveguide. This allows light emitted diagonally upward from the light-emitting element to be guided upward by the waveguide. Furthermore, the direction of propagation of the light emitted upward from the light-emitting element and the light guided upward by the waveguide can be controlled by the first lens before being incident on the lens array. Therefore, light beam control can be performed while suppressing a decrease in the light extraction efficiency of the display device. The optical waveguide preferably consists of a core portion provided on or above the light-emitting element and a cladding portion provided between adjacent core portions.

[0017] In a display device according to a first aspect of this disclosure, the lens array preferably includes a plurality of second lenses, each having an inclined surface, the inclined surface being inclined so as to increase in height from the center of the display area toward the outer periphery. This allows the light emitted from the light-emitting element to be refracted by the inclined surface of the second lens so as to spread outwards from the display area. Therefore, the principal ray axis of the light emitted from the light-emitting element can be tilted outwards from the display area.

[0018] In the display device according to the first aspect of this disclosure, it is preferable that the inclination angle θ of the inclined surface of the second lens increases from the center of the display area toward the periphery of the display area. This allows the principal ray axis of the emitted light from the light-emitting element to be tilted outward from the display area as one moves from the center of the display area toward the periphery of the display area.

[0019] In a display device according to a first aspect of this disclosure, the lens array is preferably provided in a predetermined range from the periphery to the center of the display area. This allows the light emitted from the light-emitting elements included in the predetermined range to be refracted by the inclined surface of the second lens so as to spread outwards from the display area. Therefore, the principal ray axis of the light emitted from the light-emitting elements included in the predetermined range can be tilted outwards from the display area.

[0020] In a display device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, the second lens has a columnar shape extending in the in-plane direction of the display surface, and it is preferable that a plurality of second lenses are arranged concentrically or in a striped pattern. This allows incident light to be refracted by the inclined surface of the columnar second lens so that it spreads outwards from the display area. The concentric arrangement is preferably concentric to the shape of the display area. For example, if the display area is rectangular, the concentric arrangement is preferably concentric rectangular.

[0021] In the display device according to the first aspect of this disclosure, the columnar shape is preferably a substantially right-angled triangular prism shape. This allows the incident light to be refracted by the inclined surface of the substantially right-angled triangular prism second lens so as to spread outwards from the display area.

[0022] In a display device according to a first aspect of this disclosure, the lens array is preferably a concave Fresnel lens array or a prism lens array. This allows the incident light to be refracted by the concave Fresnel lens array or prism lens array so that it spreads outwards from the display area.

[0023] In a display device according to a first aspect of this disclosure, it is preferable that the plurality of second lenses are arranged in a two-dimensional manner to correspond to a plurality of light-emitting elements. This allows the light emitted from the light-emitting elements to be refracted by the inclined surfaces of the second lenses corresponding to the light-emitting elements so as to spread outwards from the display area.

[0024] In a display device according to a first aspect of this disclosure, the device further comprises a plurality of light-emitting elements and a protective layer, wherein each light-emitting element is provided between the plurality of light-emitting elements and a plurality of light-control units capable of controlling the light emitted from the light-emitting elements. Each light-control unit includes a reflective surface that surrounds the light-emitting region of the light-emitting elements in a plan view and is capable of totally reflecting the light emitted from the light-emitting elements, and a first lens provided on the display surface side of the reflective surface. The lens array includes a plurality of second lenses, each having an inclined surface, preferably inclined so as to increase in height from the center of the display region toward the outer periphery. This makes it possible to totally reflect the component of light emitted diagonally upward from the light-emitting elements that is incident on the reflective surface at an incident angle of a predetermined value or greater, and direct it toward the front. Furthermore, it is possible to control the direction of propagation of the light emitted upward from the light-emitting elements and the light totally reflected by the reflective surface using the first lens, and then have it incident on the second lens. In addition, the light incident on the second lens is refracted by the inclined surface of the second lens so as to spread outwards from the display region, thereby tilting the principal ray axis of the light emitted from the light-emitting elements toward the outside of the display region. Therefore, it is possible to control the light beam while suppressing a decrease in the light extraction efficiency of the display device.

[0025] In a display device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, from the viewpoint of improving light extraction efficiency and / or color purity, the light-emitting element preferably has a resonator structure capable of resonating with light of a specific wavelength. In the present disclosure, "and / or" means at least one of the three possibilities, for example, "X and / or Y" means X only, Y only, or X and Y.

[0026] In a display device according to a first aspect of this disclosure, in order to control the light rays emitted from the display surface by refracting light with the lens surface (refracting surface) of the lens array, it is preferable that the protective layer is made of an inorganic thin film with a refractive index of 1.8 or higher.

[0027] In a display device according to a second aspect of this disclosure, the protective layer sealing the display surface has an inclined portion on the side opposite to the side of the plurality of light-emitting elements, and the inclined portion is inclined from the center of the display area toward the outer edge. This allows the light emitted from the display surface to be controlled by the inclined portion.

[0028] In a display device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure, the inclined portion is preferably inclined such that it rises from the center of the display area toward the outer periphery. This allows the light emitted from the light-emitting element to be refracted by the inclined portion so that it spreads outwards from the display area. Therefore, the principal ray axis of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 12 can be tilted outwards from the display area.

[0029] The display device according to the first aspect of this disclosure and the display device according to the second aspect of this disclosure may be an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display device, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display device, or any other display device.

[0030] The display devices according to the first aspect of this disclosure and the display devices according to the second aspect of this disclosure may be provided in an optical system. The optical system may be, for example, the optical system of an eyewear device such as a VR (Virtual Reality) device, an MR (Mixed Reality) device, or an AR (Augmented Reality) device, or it may be the optical system of an EVF or a miniature projector. The eyewear device shall include VR headsets and AR headsets.

[0031] The display devices according to the first aspect of this disclosure and the display devices according to the second aspect of this disclosure may be provided in electronic devices. For example, the display devices according to the first aspect of this disclosure and the display devices according to the second aspect of this disclosure may be provided in eyewear devices such as VR devices, MR devices or AR devices, or in EVFs or small projectors, etc. Eyewear devices shall include VR headsets and AR headsets.

[0032] In this disclosure, the refractive index represents the refractive index for light with a wavelength of 589.3 nm (sodium D-line).

[0033] In this disclosure, when a statement such as "member B is provided on member A" is made, "on member A" refers to the relative positional relationship between member A and member B, and includes not only the state in which member B is directly located on member A without any other member in between, but also the state in which member B is located on member A with at least one other member in between.

[0034] <2 First Embodiment> [Outline Configuration of Display Device 101] Figure 1 is a plan view of the display device 101 according to the first embodiment. The display device 101 has a display area RE1 and a peripheral area RE2 provided around the display area RE1. In the first embodiment, the display area RE1 has a rectangular shape in plan view. However, the shape of the display area RE1 is not limited to a rectangular shape and may have a shape other than a rectangle.

[0035] In this specification, the first and second directions perpendicular to each other within the display surface of the display device 101 are referred to as the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, respectively, and the third direction perpendicular to the display surface of the display device 101 is referred to as the Z-axis direction. In the first embodiment, an example will be described in which the X-axis direction is the horizontal direction of the display surface and the Y-axis direction is the vertical direction of the display surface.

[0036] In the first embodiment, the display device 101 is an OLED display device. The display device 101 may also be a microdisplay. In the first embodiment, an example in which the display device 101 is a top-emission type display device is described, but the type of display device 101 is not limited to this example.

[0037] Figure 2 is a plan view showing an enlarged portion of the display area RE1. Multiple sub-pixels 10R, 10G, and 10B are arranged two-dimensionally within the display area RE1 in a predetermined arrangement pattern. In Figure 2, the sections labeled "R," "G," and "B" represent sub-pixels 10R, 10G, and 10B, respectively. Although Figure 2 shows an example where the predetermined arrangement pattern is a stripe arrangement, the arrangement pattern is not limited to this example. For example, the predetermined arrangement pattern may be a mosaic arrangement, a square arrangement, a delta arrangement, or any other arrangement. A pad section 113 and a driver for video display (not shown) are provided in the peripheral area RE2. A flexible printed circuit board (FPC), not shown, may be connected to the pad section 113.

[0038] Sub-pixel 10R can emit red light (first light). Sub-pixel 10G can emit green light (second light). Sub-pixel 10B can emit blue light (third light). In the following description, when sub-pixels 10R, 10G, and 10B are not specifically distinguished and are referred to collectively, they may simply be called sub-pixel 10. One pixel 10P is composed of, for example, multiple sub-pixels 10R, 10G, and 10B that are adjacent in the in-plane direction. However, the configuration of one pixel 10P is not limited to this example.

[0039] [Layer structure of display device 101] Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view along the line IIIA-IIIA in Figure 1. Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view along the line IIIB-IIIB in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of Figure 3A. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of Figure 4. The display device 101 comprises a drive substrate 11, a plurality of light-emitting elements 12, a contact electrode 13, a connecting electrode 13a, an insulating layer 14, a protective layer 15, a protective layer 15a, a common electrode (third electrode) 16, a protective layer 17, a low refractive index layer 18, a planarization layer 19, a color filter 20, a light-shielding layer 20BK, a lens array 21, a low refractive index layer 22, and a protective layer 23.

[0040] In Figures 3A and 3B, the multiple light-emitting elements 12, contact electrodes 13, connecting electrodes 13a, insulating layer 14, protective layer 15, protective layer 15a, common electrode 16, protective layer 17, low refractive index layer 18, planarization layer 19, color filter 20, light-shielding layer 20BK, lens array 21, and low refractive index layer 22 are simplified and represented as a laminate 1A.

[0041] In this specification, of the two surfaces of each layer constituting the display device 101, the surface that is the display surface side (top side) of the display device 101 is referred to as the first surface (or top surface), and the surface that is opposite to the display surface (bottom side) of the display device 101 is referred to as the second surface (or bottom surface). In this specification, the periphery of the display area RE1 refers to the portion having a predetermined width extending inward from the periphery of the display area RE1. In this specification, the periphery of the first surface refers to the portion having a predetermined width extending inward from the periphery of the first surface, and the periphery of the second surface refers to the portion having a predetermined width extending inward from the periphery of the second surface. In this specification, a plan view refers to a plan view when the object is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the first surface or the second surface. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the in-plane direction refers to the in-plane direction of the first surface of the drive substrate 11. In this specification, upward refers to the direction from the bottom side (opposite side of the display surface) of the display device 101 toward the top side (display surface side) of the display device 101. Furthermore, "downward" refers to the direction from the top side (display surface side) of the display device 101 toward the bottom side of the display device 101.

[0042] (Driver substrate 11) The driver substrate 11 is a so-called backplane and can drive a plurality of light-emitting elements 12. The driver substrate 11 comprises, for example, a substrate 111 and an insulating layer 112 in that order.

[0043] Multiple drive transistors (not shown) are provided on the first surface side of the substrate 111. The substrate 111 may be, for example, a semiconductor substrate that facilitates the formation of drive transistors, or it may be a glass substrate or resin substrate with low permeability to moisture and oxygen. The semiconductor substrate includes, for example, amorphous silicon, polycrystalline silicon, or single-crystal silicon. The glass substrate includes, for example, high-strain-point glass, soda glass, borosilicate glass, forsterite, lead glass, or quartz glass. The resin substrate includes, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylphenol, polyethersulfone, polyimide, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyethylene naphthalate.

[0044] The insulating layer 112 is provided on the first surface of the substrate 111 and covers a plurality of drive transistors, etc. The insulating layer 112 contains a plurality of contact plugs and a plurality of wires (none of which are shown) inside. The contact plugs and wires electrically connect the light-emitting element 12 and the drive transistors. The contact plugs include, for example, at least one metal selected from the group consisting of copper (Cu) and titanium (Ti). The wires are composed of, for example, a metal layer. The metal layer includes, for example, at least one metal selected from the group consisting of tungsten (W) and copper (Cu). A barrier metal may be provided on the surface of the wires. The barrier metal may be, for example, tantalum (Ta) or tantalum nitride (TaN). ｘ ) and others.

[0045] The insulating layer 112 is, for example, an organic insulating layer, an inorganic insulating layer, or a laminate thereof. The organic insulating layer includes, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of polyimide resins, acrylic resins, and novolac resins. The inorganic insulating layer is, for example, silicon oxide (SiO ｘ ), silicon nitride (SiN ｘ ) and silicon oxynitride (SiO ｘ N ｙ It includes at least one species selected from the group consisting of the following:

[0046] (Light-emitting element 12) The light-emitting element 12 can emit white light based on control of a drive circuit or the like. In the first embodiment, the light-emitting element 12 is an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) element. The light-emitting element 12 is included in the sub-pixels 10R, 10G, and 10B of each color.

[0047] Multiple light-emitting elements 12 are arranged in a two-dimensional manner on the first surface of the drive substrate 11 in a predetermined arrangement pattern. The predetermined arrangement pattern is as described in relation to the predetermined arrangement pattern of multiple sub-pixels 10. Each light-emitting element 12 includes, in order, a first electrode 121, an OLED layer 122, and a second electrode 123 on the first surface of the drive substrate 11.

[0048] (First electrode 121) The first electrode 121 is provided on the first surface of the drive substrate 11. The first electrode 121 is an individual electrode provided separately for each of the plurality of light-emitting elements 12. That is, the first electrode 121 is separated between adjacent light-emitting elements 12 in the in-plane direction. In the first embodiment, the first electrode 121 is an anode. When a voltage is applied between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 123, holes are injected from the first electrode 121 into the OLED layer 122.

[0049] The first electrode 121 may be composed of, for example, a metal layer, or a metal layer and a transparent conductive oxide layer. When the first electrode 121 is composed of a metal layer and a transparent conductive oxide layer, it is preferable that the transparent conductive oxide layer be provided on the OLED layer 122 side, from the viewpoint of having a layer with a high work function adjacent to the OLED layer 122.

[0050] The metal layer may function as a reflective layer that reflects light emitted by the OLED layer 122. The metal layer contains, for example, at least one metallic element selected from the group consisting of chromium (Cr), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), aluminum (Al), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), tungsten (W), and silver (Ag). The metal layer may contain the above at least one metallic element as a constituent element of the alloy. Specific examples of the alloy include aluminum alloys and silver alloys. Specific examples of aluminum alloys include, for example, aluminum neodymium (AlNd) alloys and aluminum copper (AlCu) alloys.

[0051] A base layer (not shown) may be provided adjacent to the second surface of the metal layer. The base layer may improve the crystal orientation of the metal layer during film formation. The base layer contains, for example, at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of titanium (Ti) and tantalum (Ta). The base layer may contain the above at least one metal element as a constituent element of the alloy.

[0052] The transparent conductive oxide layer contains a transparent conductive oxide. The transparent conductive oxide includes, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of indium-containing transparent conductive oxides (hereinafter referred to as "indium-based transparent conductive oxides"), tin-containing transparent conductive oxides (hereinafter referred to as "tin-based transparent conductive oxides"), and zinc-containing transparent conductive oxides (hereinafter referred to as "zinc-based transparent conductive oxides").

[0053] Indium-based transparent conductive oxides include, for example, indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium gallium oxide (IGO), indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO), or fluorine-doped indium oxide (IFO). Among these transparent conductive oxides, indium tin oxide (ITO) is particularly preferred. Indium tin oxide (ITO) has a particularly low work function in terms of the hole injection barrier to the OLED layer 122, which allows for a particularly low driving voltage for the display device 101. Tin-based transparent conductive oxides include, for example, tin oxide, antimond-doped tin oxide (ATO), or fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO). Zinc-based transparent conductive oxides include, for example, zinc oxide, aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO), boron-doped zinc oxide, or gallium-doped zinc oxide (GZO).

[0054] (OLED layer 122) The OLED layer 122 is capable of emitting white light. The OLED layer 122 is an example of an organic material-containing layer including an organic light-emitting layer. The OLED layer 122 is provided on the first surface of the first electrode 121 in the display area RE1. The OLED layer 122 is provided individually for each of the multiple light-emitting elements 12, similar to the first electrode 121. That is, the OLED layer 122 is divided between adjacent light-emitting elements 12 in the in-plane direction. The size of the OLED layer 122 in plan view is smaller than the size of the first electrode 121 in plan view, and the peripheral edge of the first surface of the first electrode 121 may protrude from the peripheral edge of the OLED layer 122 in plan view.

[0055] Furthermore, the OLED layer 122 is provided on the first surface of the insulating layer 14 in the peripheral region RE2. Therefore, the OLED layer 122 provided in the peripheral region RE2 is unable to emit light. Hereinafter, the OLED layer 122 provided in the peripheral region RE2 will be referred to as the non-emitting OLED layer 122. The non-emitting OLED layer 122 has a closed loop shape in plan view, and the outer periphery of the non-emitting OLED layer 122 may rest on the peripheral edge of the first surface of the contact electrode 13.

[0056] The OLED layer 122 may be composed of a laminate including an organic light-emitting layer, in which case some of the layers of the laminate (for example, an electron injection layer) may be inorganic layers. The OLED layer 122 may be an OLED layer having a single light-emitting unit U, as shown in Figure 6A, or an OLED layer having two light-emitting units U1 and U2 (tandem structure), as shown in Figure 6B, or an OLED layer with any other structure. The OLED layer 122 having a single light-emitting unit U may have a configuration in which, for example, a hole injection layer 1221, a hole transport layer 1222, a red light-emitting layer 1220R, a light-emitting separation layer 1223, a blue light-emitting layer 1220B, a green light-emitting layer 1220G, an electron transport layer 1224, and an electron injection layer 1225 are laminated in this order from the first electrode 121 toward the second electrode 123. An OLED layer having two light-emitting units U1 and U2 has a configuration in which, for example, a hole injection layer 1221, a hole transport layer 1222, a blue light-emitting layer 1220B, an electron transport layer 1226, a charge generation layer 1227, a hole transport layer 1228, a yellow light-emitting layer 1220Y, an electron transport layer 1224, and an electron injection layer 1225 are stacked in this order from the first electrode 121 toward the second electrode 123.

[0057] The hole injection layer 1221 can increase the hole injection efficiency to the light-emitting layers 1220R, 1220G, and 1220B while suppressing leakage. The hole transport layers 1222 and 1228 can increase the hole transport efficiency to the light-emitting layers 1220R, 1220B, and 1220Y. The electron injection layer 1225 can increase the electron injection efficiency to the light-emitting layers 1220G and 1220Y. The electron transport layers 1224 and 1226 can increase the electron transport efficiency to the light-emitting layers 1220G, 1220B, and 1220Y. The emission separation layer 1223 is a layer for adjusting the carrier injection into the light-emitting layers 1220R, 1220G, and 1220B, and the emission balance of each color is adjusted by injecting electrons and holes into the light-emitting layers 1220R, 1220G, and 1220B via the emission separation layer 1223. The charge generation layer 1227 can supply electrons and holes, respectively, to the blue light-emitting layer 1220B and the yellow light-emitting layer 1220Y, which are provided so as to sandwich the charge generation layer 1227.

[0058] When an electric field is applied to the red light-emitting layer 1220R, the green light-emitting layer 1220G, the blue light-emitting layer 1220B, and the yellow light-emitting layer 1220Y, recombination occurs between holes injected from the first electrode 121 or the charge generation layer 1227 and electrons injected from the second electrode 123 or the charge generation layer 1227, causing the emission of red, green, blue, and yellow light, respectively.

[0059] (Second electrode 123) The second electrode 123 is provided on the first surface of the OLED layer 122. The second electrode 123 is an individual electrode provided separately for each of the multiple light-emitting elements 12, similar to the first electrode 121. That is, the second electrode 123 is separated between adjacent light-emitting elements 12 in the in-plane direction.

[0060] In the first embodiment, the second electrode 123 is a cathode. When a voltage is applied between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 123, electrons are injected from the second electrode 123 into the OLED layer 122. The second electrode 123 is transparent to light emitted from the OLED layer 122. Preferably, the second electrode 123 is a transparent electrode that is transparent to visible light. In this specification, visible light refers to light in the wavelength range of 360 nm to 780 nm.

[0061] To improve luminescence efficiency, it is preferable that the second electrode 123 be made of a material that has as high light transmittance as possible and a small work function. The second electrode 123 is made of, for example, at least one of a metal layer and a transparent conductive oxide layer. More specifically, the second electrode 123 is made of a single layer of a metal layer or a transparent conductive oxide layer, or a laminated film of a metal layer and a transparent conductive oxide layer. When the second electrode 123 is made of a laminated film, the metal layer may be provided on the OLED layer 122 side, or the transparent conductive oxide layer may be provided on the OLED layer 122 side.

[0062] The metal layer contains, for example, at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), calcium (Ca), and sodium (Na). The metal layer may also contain the above at least one metal element as a constituent element of the alloy. Specific examples of alloys include magnesium-silver (MgAg) alloy, magnesium-aluminum (MgAl) alloy, or aluminum-lithium (AlLi) alloy. The transparent conductive oxide layer contains a transparent conductive oxide. Examples of the transparent conductive oxide include materials similar to the transparent conductive oxide contained in the first electrode 121 described above.

[0063] (Contact electrode 13) The contact electrode 13 is provided on the first surface of the drive substrate 11 in the peripheral region RE2. The contact electrode 13 is an auxiliary electrode that connects the common electrode 16 to the potential supply wiring (not shown) inside the drive substrate 11. The first surface of the contact electrode 13 is electrically connected to the connecting electrode 13a. On the other hand, the second surface of the contact electrode 13 is connected to the potential supply wiring via a plurality of contact plugs (not shown).

[0064] The contact electrode 13 may have a closed loop shape that surrounds the entire outer periphery of the display area RE1 in a plan view, or it may have a partially divided loop shape that partially surrounds the outer periphery of the display area RE1.

[0065] The contact electrode 13 is composed of, for example, at least one of a metal layer and a transparent conductive oxide layer. More specifically, for example, the contact electrode 13 is composed of a single layer of the metal layer or the transparent conductive oxide layer, or a laminated layer of the metal layer and the transparent conductive oxide layer. It is preferable that the contact electrode 13 has the same configuration as the first electrode 121 described above. In this case, the first electrode 121 and the contact electrode 13 can be formed in the same process, thus simplifying the manufacturing process of the display device 101.

[0066] Examples of materials included in the contact electrode 13 include materials similar to those included in the first electrode 121. Specifically, examples of materials included in the metal layer of the contact electrode 13 include materials similar to those included in the metal layer of the first electrode 121, and examples of materials included in the transparent conductive oxide layer of the contact electrode 13 include materials similar to those included in the transparent conductive oxide layer of the first electrode 121.

[0067] A base layer (not shown) may be provided adjacent to the second surface side of the metal layer. Examples of materials included in the base layer include materials similar to those included in the base layer of the first electrode 121 described above.

[0068] (Connecting electrode 13a) The connecting electrode 13a is provided in the peripheral region RE2 on the first surface of the non-emitting OLED layer 122 and on the first surface of the contact electrode 13. The connecting electrode 13a electrically connects the common electrode 16 and the contact electrode 13 in the peripheral region RE2. The connecting electrode 13a may have the same configuration as the second electrode 123. At least one of the electron injection layer and the buffer layer (neither of which are shown) may be provided between the connecting electrode 13a and the contact electrode 13.

[0069] (Insulating layer 14) The insulating layer 14 is provided in the display area RE1 on the first surface of the drive substrate 11, in the portion between the separated first electrodes 121. The insulating layer 14 is an insulating layer for separating elements and can insulate between adjacent first electrodes 121 in the in-plane direction.

[0070] The insulating layer 14 has a plurality of openings 141 in the display area RE1. Each of the plurality of openings 141 is provided corresponding to each light-emitting element 12. Each of the plurality of openings 141 may be provided on the first surface (the surface on the OLED layer 122 side) of each first electrode 121. That is, the peripheral edge of the first surface of each first electrode 121 may be covered by the insulating layer 14. The first electrode 121 and the OLED layer 122 are in contact through the openings 141. The shape of the openings 141 in plan view is not particularly limited, but for example, it may be substantially rectangular, substantially circular, or substantially elliptical.

[0071] The insulating layer 14 is also provided between the first electrode 121 and the contact electrode 13 on the first surface of the driving substrate 11 in the peripheral region RE2. The insulating layer 14 can insulate between the first electrode 121 and the contact electrode 13. The insulating layer 14 has an opening 142 in the peripheral region RE2. The opening 142 is provided corresponding to the contact electrode 13. The opening 142 may be provided on the first surface of the contact electrode 13 (the surface on which the connection electrode 13a is connected). That is, the peripheral portion of the first surface of the contact electrode 13 may be covered by the insulating layer 14. Through the opening 142, the contact electrode 13 contacts the peripheral portion of the connection electrode 13a. The opening 142 may have the same loop shape as the contact electrode 13.

[0072] The insulating layer 14 is, for example, an organic insulating layer, an inorganic insulating layer, or a laminate thereof. The organic insulating layer contains, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of polyimide-based resins, acrylic-based resins, novolak-based resins, and the like. The inorganic insulating layer contains, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of silicon oxide (SiO ｘ ), silicon nitride (SiN ｘ ), and silicon oxynitride (SiO ｘ N ｙ ), and the like.

[0073] (Protective layer 15) The protective layer 15 is provided on the first surface of each second electrode 123 in the display region RE1. Also, the protective layer 15 covers the connection electrode 13a, the contact electrode 13, the insulating layer 14, etc. provided on the peripheral edge of the first surface of the driving substrate 11 in the peripheral region RE2. The protective layer 15 has translucency with respect to the light emitted from the light-emitting element 12. The protective layer 15 can protect the light-emitting element 12 and the like from moisture and the like diffusing from the outside of the display device 101. When the second electrode 123 is formed of a metal layer, the protective layer 15 may have a function of suppressing oxidation of this metal layer. A laminate 31 in which the OLED layer 122, the second electrode 123, and the protective layer 15 are laminated in this order is formed on the first surface of the first electrode 121.

[0074] The protective layer 15 has a plurality of contact holes 153 and a plurality of contact holes 154. Each of the plurality of contact holes 153 is provided in the display area RE1 corresponding to each light-emitting element 12. Each contact hole 153 penetrates the protective layer 15 and protective layer 15a and reaches the first surface of the second electrode 123. The plurality of contact holes 154 are provided in the peripheral area RE2 corresponding to the connecting electrode 13a. Each contact hole 154 penetrates the protective layer 15 and protective layer 15a and reaches the first surface of the connecting electrode 13a.

[0075] The protective layer 15 includes a first protective layer 151 and a second protective layer 152, as shown in Figure 5. The first protective layer 151 is provided on the first surface of the second electrode 123. The first protective layer 151 is provided individually for each of the multiple light-emitting elements 12. That is, in a plan view, the protective layer 15 is divided between adjacent second electrodes 123 in the in-plane direction.

[0076] The first protective layer 151 includes, for example, at least one of an inorganic material and an organic material with low hygroscopicity. The first protective layer 151 may be a single layer or a multilayer structure. When increasing the thickness of the first protective layer 151, a multilayer structure is preferable. This is to relieve internal stress in the first protective layer 151. The inorganic material is, for example, silicon oxide (SiO₂). ｘ ), silicon nitride (SiN ｘ ), silicon oxide nitride (SiO ｘ N ｙ ), titanium oxide (TiO ｘ ) and aluminum oxide (AlO ｘ The organic material includes at least one selected from the group consisting of, for example, thermosetting resins and photosensitive resins. The photosensitive resin includes, for example, ultraviolet curable resins. Specifically, the organic material includes at least one selected from the group consisting of, for example, acrylic resins, polyimide resins, novolac resins, epoxy resins, norbornene resins and parylene resins.

[0077] The second protective layer 152 is provided on the first surface of the first protective layer 151. That is, a laminated film in which the first protective layer 151 and the second protective layer 152 are sequentially stacked is provided on the first surface of the second electrode 123. This laminated film may be used as a protective layer to suppress damage to the OLED layer 122 from exposure to process gases, chemicals, etc., when the OLED layer 122 and the second electrode 123 are formed by etching.

[0078] The second protective layer 152 is a deposited layer in which atomic layers are deposited. The deposited layer may be an ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) layer. By including a deposited layer in the second protective layer 152, the effect of suppressing moisture penetration by the protective layer 15 can be improved. Etching resistance can also be improved.

[0079] The sedimentary layer contains, for example, metal oxides or metal nitrides. Examples of metal oxides include aluminum oxide (AlO2). ｘ ) or titanium dioxide (TiO ｘ ) contains. Metal nitrides include, for example, titanium nitride (TiN ｘ ) includes.

[0080] (Protective layer 15a) The protective layer 15a covers the first surface of the drive substrate 11, on which the multiple light-emitting elements 12, the protective layer 15, and the insulating layer 14 are formed, so as to conform to the uneven surface formed by the multiple laminates 31. The protective layer 15a is transparent to light emitted from the light-emitting elements 12. The protective layer 15a can protect the light-emitting elements 12 and the like from moisture and other substances that diffuse in from outside the display device 101.

[0081] The protective layer 151a includes, for example, at least one of an inorganic material and an organic material with low hygroscopicity. The protective layer 151a may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. Examples of the inorganic material and organic material included in the protective layer 151a are the same materials as those included in the first protective layer 151.

[0082] (Common Electrode 16) The common electrode 16, which is the third electrode, is provided on the first surface of the protective layer 15a so as to conform to the unevenness formed by the multiple laminates 31. The common electrode 16 is a common electrode for the multiple light-emitting elements 12 provided in the display area RE1. The common electrode 16 is translucent to white light emitted from the light-emitting elements 12. Preferably, the common electrode 16 is transparent to visible light. The common electrode 16 is formed over the entire display area RE1 and extends from the display area RE1 to the peripheral area RE2.

[0083] The common electrode 16 is connected to each second electrode 123 separated for each sub-pixel 10 in the display area RE1. Specifically, the common electrode 16 has a plurality of contact portions 161, and each of the plurality of contact portions 161 is provided in each contact hole 153. As a result, the tips of each of the plurality of contact portions 161 are connected to the first surface of each second electrode 123 separated for each sub-pixel 10. However, the connection configuration between the contact portions 161 and the second electrode 123 is not limited to this example, and for example, the contact portions 161 may be connected to the side surface of the second electrode 123. The contact portion 161 is a projection that protrudes toward the second electrode 123 of the light-emitting element 12, and the back side (first surface side) of the projection is a recess. Figures 4 and 5 show an example in which one contact portion 161 is provided for one sub-pixel 10, but two or more contact portions 161 may be provided for one sub-pixel 10.

[0084] The common electrode 16 is connected to the connecting electrode 13a in the peripheral region RE2. Specifically, the common electrode 16 has a plurality of contact portions 162, each of which is provided within a contact hole 154. As a result, the tips of each of the contact portions 162 are connected to the first surface of the connecting electrode 13a. The contact portions 162 are protrusions that extend toward the connecting electrode 13a, and the back side (first surface side) of the protrusions is a recess.

[0085] In the first embodiment, an example is described in which a plurality of contact portions 162 are connected to the contact electrode 13 via a connecting electrode 13a, but the connection configuration between the plurality of contact portions 162 and the contact electrode 13 is not limited to this example. For example, the plurality of contact portions 162 may be directly connected to the first surface of the contact electrode 13.

[0086] The common electrode 16, like the second electrode 123, preferably contains a material with good light transmittance and a small work function. The second electrode 123 is composed of, for example, a transparent conductive oxide layer. The transparent conductive oxide layer contains a transparent conductive oxide. Examples of the transparent conductive oxide include materials similar to the transparent conductive oxide of the first electrode 121, specifically, indium zinc oxide (IZO) and indium tin oxide (ITO).

[0087] (Protective layer 17) The protective layer 17 fills the recesses on the back side of each contact portion 161 and the recesses on the back side of each contact portion 162, and is provided on the first surface of the common electrode 16 so as to conform to the unevenness formed by the multiple laminates 31. As a result, protrusions 173 are formed on each light-emitting element 12, and recesses 174 are formed between adjacent protrusions 173 in the in-plane direction. The protective layer 17 is transparent to light emitted from the light-emitting element 12. The protective layer 17 can protect the light-emitting element 12 and the like from moisture and the like that diffuse in from outside the display device 101.

[0088] As shown in Figure 5, the protective layer 17 includes a first protective layer 171 and a second protective layer 172 in order on the first surface of the common electrode 16. In the first embodiment, an example is described in which the protective layer 17 has a two-layer structure consisting of a first protective layer 171 and a second protective layer 172, but the structure of the protective layer 17 is not limited to a two-layer structure, and may be a single-layer structure or a multilayer structure of three or more layers. The first protective layer 171 and the second protective layer 172 include, for example, at least one of an inorganic material and an organic material with low hygroscopicity. Examples of the inorganic material and organic material included in the first protective layer 171 and the second protective layer 172 are the same materials as those included in the first protective layer 151.

[0089] The protrusion 173 has a side surface. The side surface is a total reflection surface, and it is possible to totally reflect the component of light L emitted diagonally upward from the light-emitting element 12 that is incident on the side surface at an incident angle greater than a predetermined value and direct it toward the front. That is, it is possible to direct it toward the lens 211. The side surface is also possible to refract the component of light L emitted diagonally upward from the light-emitting element 12 that is incident on the side surface at an incident angle less than a predetermined value and direct it toward the front. In a plan view, the side surface surrounds the light-emitting region of the light-emitting element 12. Preferably, the side surface is a substantially vertical surface substantially parallel to the Z axis (an axis parallel to the thickness direction of the display device 101), or a reverse tapered inclined surface.

[0090] Preferably, the protrusion 173 has a central axis that passes through the geometric center of the light-emitting region of the light-emitting element 12 in a plan view. The protrusion 173 may be, for example, columnar or inverted frustoconical. Examples of columnar shapes include cylindrical, elliptical, or prismatic shapes, but are not limited to these shapes. Examples of inverted frustoconical shapes include inverted frustoconical, inverted elliptical, or inverted frustoconical shapes, but are not limited to these shapes. In this disclosure, cylindrical, elliptical, prismatic, inverted cone, inverted elliptical, or inverted frustoconical shapes are not limited to these shapes in a mathematically strict sense, but include shapes that are visually close to these shapes. For example, cylindrical, elliptical, prismatic, inverted cone, inverted elliptical, or inverted frustoconical shapes that are distorted or deformed within tolerances or errors are included.

[0091] The side surface of the protrusion 173 is composed of a second protective layer 172. The refractive index of the second protective layer 172 is higher than that of the low refractive index layer 18. Therefore, of the light L emitted from the light-emitting element 12 in an oblique upward direction, the component that is incident on the side surface of the protrusion 173 (i.e., the side surface of the recess 174) at an incident angle of a predetermined value or greater is totally reflected at the side surface of the protrusion 173 (i.e., the side surface of the recess 174). Thus, the light extraction efficiency of the display device 101 can be improved.

[0092] (Low refractive index layer 18) The low refractive index layer 18 is provided in the recesses 174 between adjacent protrusions 173 in the in-plane direction and fills the recesses 174. The low refractive index layer 18 has a refractive index lower than that of the protective layer 15. The low refractive index layer 18 may be transparent to light emitted from the light-emitting element 12, or it may be opaque.

[0093] The low refractive index layer 18 includes, for example, an organic material or an inorganic material. The organic material includes, for example, a cured product of a photosensitive resin composition such as an ultraviolet curable resin composition. The inorganic material includes, for example, silicon oxide (SiO₂). ｘ ), silicon oxynitride (SiO ｘ N ｙ ), magnesium fluoride (MgF ｘ ) and lithium fluoride (LiF ｘ It includes at least one species selected from the group consisting of the following:

[0094] The low refractive index layer 18 may contain a filler. The refractive index of the low refractive index layer 18 can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of filler contained in the low refractive index layer 18. The filler may be a hollow filler. The filler may be an inorganic filler. An inorganic filler is, for example, aluminum oxide (AlO2). ｘ ), titanium oxide (TiO ｘ ) and zirconium oxide (ZrO ｘ It includes at least one species selected from the group consisting of the following:

[0095] (Planarization layer 19) The planarization layer 19 is provided on the first surface which is composed of a plurality of protrusions 173 and a low refractive index layer 18. The planarization layer 19 can fill in the irregularities on the first surface which is composed of a plurality of protrusions 173 and a low refractive index layer 18, and form a flat first surface. The planarization layer 19 is transparent to light emitted from the light-emitting element 12. The planarization layer 19 includes, for example, an organic material.

[0096] The organic material includes, for example, a cured product of a photosensitive resin composition. The photosensitive resin composition may include either a positive-type photosensitive resin composition or a negative-type photosensitive resin composition. Specifically, the photosensitive resin composition includes, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of polyimide, polyimide precursor, polybenzoxazole, polybenzoxazole precursor, acrylic resin, phenolic resin, and siloxane resin.

[0097] (Color filter 20) The color filter 20 is a so-called on-chip color filter (OCCF) and is provided on the first surface of the planarization layer 19. The color filter 20 includes, for example, a plurality of colored layers 20FR, a plurality of colored layers 20FG, and a plurality of colored layers 20FB. In the following description, when the colored layers 20FR, 20FG, and 20FB are referred to collectively without particular distinction, the colored layers 20FR, 20FG, and 20FB may simply be referred to as the colored layer 20F.

[0098] Multiple colored layers 20F are arranged two-dimensionally on the first surface of the planarization layer 19 in a predetermined arrangement pattern. The predetermined arrangement pattern is as described in relation to the predetermined arrangement pattern of multiple sub-pixels 10. Each colored layer 20F is located above the light-emitting element 12. Sub-pixel 10R includes the light-emitting element 12 and a colored layer 20FR located above the light-emitting element 12. Sub-pixel 10G includes the light-emitting element 12 and a colored layer 20FG located above the light-emitting element 12. Sub-pixel 10B includes the light-emitting element 12 and a colored layer 20FB located above the light-emitting element 12.

[0099] The colored layer 20FR has a red color. The colored layer 20FR transmits the red light component of the white light emitted from the light-emitting element 12, while absorbing the components other than red light. The colored layer 20FG has a green color. The colored layer 20FG transmits the green light component of the white light emitted from the light-emitting element 12, while absorbing the components other than green light. The colored layer 20FB has a blue color. The colored layer 20FB transmits the blue light component of the white light emitted from the light-emitting element 12, while absorbing the components other than blue light. Light L emitted upward from the light-emitting element 12 and light L emitted diagonally upward from the light-emitting element 12 and totally reflected by the side surface of the protrusion 173 are incident on the colored layer 20F.

[0100] The colored layer 20FR includes, for example, a red color resist. The colored layer 20FG includes, for example, a green color resist. The colored layer 20FB includes, for example, a blue color resist.

[0101] (Light-shielding layer 20BK) The light-shielding layer 20BK is provided on the first surface of the planarization layer 19 in the peripheral region RE2. The light-shielding layer 20BK is located above the contact electrode 13 and covers the area above the contact electrode 13. The light-shielding layer 20BK is configured to absorb and shield visible light (e.g., ambient light) incident on the peripheral region RE2. This makes it possible to suppress the reflection of visible light from the contact electrode 13 and the like.

[0102] In the first embodiment, the light-shielding layer 20BK has a loop-like shape similar to that of the contact electrode 13. However, the shape of the light-shielding layer 20BK in plan view is not limited to a closed loop shape; for example, it may be an open loop shape or a shape other than a loop shape.

[0103] The light-shielding layer 20BK preferably includes a colored layer 20FR and a colored layer 20FB. Having such a configuration in the light-shielding layer 20BK allows the color filter 20 and the light-shielding layer 20BK to be formed in the same process. Figure 4 shows an example in which the colored layer 20FB is provided on the first surface of the colored layer 20FR, but the colored layer 20FR may also be provided on the first surface of the colored layer 20FB. The light-shielding layer 20BK is not limited to the above layer configuration (a two-layer configuration including the colored layer 20FR and the colored layer 20FB), and may have a three-layer configuration including, for example, the colored layer 20FR, the colored layer 20FG, and the colored layer 20FB. The light-shielding layer 20BK may include a black colored layer instead of, or together with, the colored layers 20FR and the colored layer 20FB.

[0104] (Lens Array 21) The lens array 21 is provided on the first surface of the color filter 20. A planarization layer (not shown) may be provided between the lens array 21 and the color filter 20. The lens array 21 is transparent to light of each color emitted from the color filter 20. The lens array 21 includes a plurality of lenses 211. Lens 211 is an example of a first lens. Lens 211 is a convex lens that protrudes toward the protective layer 23. The plurality of lenses 211 are so-called on-chip microlenses (OCLs) and are arranged two-dimensionally on the first surface of the color filter 20 in a predetermined arrangement pattern. The predetermined arrangement pattern is as described in the predetermined arrangement pattern of the plurality of subpixels 10.

[0105] Each lens 211 is located above the light-emitting element 12. The lens 211 can collimate the light L incident through the colored layer 20F and emit it in the forward direction. However, the light control of the lens 211 is not limited to collimation; for example, the lens 211 may also focus the light L incident through the colored layer 20F and emit it in the forward direction. Preferably, the center of the lens 211 substantially coincides with the geometric center of the light-emitting region of the light-emitting element 12 in a plan view. Preferably, the lens surface of the lens 211 has a convex curved surface shape. Specific examples of a convex curved surface shape include a spherical or aspherical shape, but it is not limited to these shapes.

[0106] The refractive index of lens 211 is higher than that of the low refractive index layer 22. Because the refractive index of lens 211 is higher than that of the low refractive index layer 22, light L can be refracted and collimated at the interface between lens 211 and the low refractive index layer 22. Therefore, the lens array 231 makes it easier to control the light emitted from the display surface.

[0107] The lens 211 includes, for example, an organic or inorganic material that is transparent to visible light. The organic material includes, for example, a photosensitive resin such as an ultraviolet curing resin. The inorganic material is, for example, silicon nitride (SiN ｘ ) and silicon oxynitride (SiO ｘ N ｙ It includes at least one selected from the group consisting of ) etc. Lens 211 may contain a filler. The refractive index of lens 211 can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of filler contained in lens 211. The filler may be a hollow filler. The filler may be an inorganic filler. An inorganic filler is, for example, aluminum oxide (AlO ｘ ), titanium oxide (TiO ｘ ) and zirconium oxide (ZrO ｘ It includes at least one species selected from the group consisting of the following:

[0108] (Low refractive index layer 22) The low refractive index layer 22 is provided on the first surface of the lens array 21 and covers the multiple lenses 211. The refractive index of the low refractive index layer 22 is lower than that of the lens array 21. The low refractive index layer 22 is transparent to light of each color emitted from the color filter 20.

[0109] The low refractive index layer 22 includes, for example, an organic material that is transparent to visible light. The organic material includes, for example, at least one of a thermosetting resin and an ultraviolet curing resin. The low refractive index layer 22 may also contain a filler. The refractive index of the low refractive index layer 22 can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of filler contained in the low refractive index layer 22. The filler may be a hollow filler. The filler may be an inorganic filler. The inorganic filler is, for example, silicon oxide (SiO₂). ｘ ), aluminum oxide (AlO ｘ ), titanium oxide (TiO ｘ ) and zirconium oxide (ZrO ｘ It includes at least one species selected from the group consisting of the following:

[0110] (Protective layer 23) The protective layer 23 is provided on the first surface of the low refractive index layer 22 and seals the display side of the display device 101. The protective layer 23 is transparent to light of each color emitted from the color filter 20. It is preferable that the protective layer 23 has low moisture permeability. The protective layer 23 can protect the multiple light-emitting elements 12, etc. from moisture and the like that diffusing in from outside the display device 101.

[0111] The protective layer 23 has a lens array 231 on the first surface side (the surface opposite to the plurality of light-emitting elements 12). The lens array 231 is provided in the display area RE1 of the first surface of the protective layer 23. In the first embodiment, the lens array 231 is a concave Fresnel lens array. The concave Fresnel lens array is composed of a plurality of inclined surfaces in which a concave curved surface is divided into concentric rectangular shapes.

[0112] The lens array 231 includes a plurality of lenses 231a. Lens 231a is an example of a second lens. The plurality of lenses 231a are arranged in a concentric rectangular shape centered on the center of the display area RE1 in a plan view. In this disclosure, the center of the display area RE1 refers to the geometric center of the display area RE1 in a plan view. Lens 231a has a substantially right-angled triangular prism shape extending in the in-plane direction (X-axis direction or Y-axis direction) of the display surface. Note that in Figures 3A and 3B, lenses 231a are shown enlarged for ease of illustration and are not shown with precise dimensional accuracy. Also, Figure 4 shows an example in which a space 231b is provided between adjacent lenses 231a in the in-plane direction, but the configuration of the lens array 231 is not limited to this example, and a space 231b is not required between adjacent lenses 231a in the in-plane direction.

[0113] The lens 231a has an inclined surface (refracting surface) on the central side of the display area RE1 and a substantially vertical surface on the outer periphery side of the display area RE1. The inclined surface is oblique to the Z-axis (the axis parallel to the thickness direction of the display device 101) and is inclined so as to become higher from the center of the display area RE1 toward the outer periphery. The cross-section of the lens 231a has a substantially right-angled triangular shape with one hypotenuse curved concavely. Here, the cross-section of the lens 231a represents the cross-section obtained by cutting the lens 231a in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the lens 231a. The inclination angle θ of the inclined surface of each lens 231a increases from the center of the display area RE1 toward the periphery of the display area RE1. The inclination angle θ may gradually change for each row of lenses 231a toward the periphery of the display area RE1 toward the center of the display area RE1.

[0114] Figure 7 shows the positional relationship between the lens 231a and the light-emitting element 12. The portion of the lens 231a extending in the X-axis direction (the direction of the rows of light-emitting elements 12) is located above the rows of light-emitting elements 12. The portion of the lens 231a extending in the Y-axis direction (the direction of the columns of light-emitting elements 12) is located above the columns of light-emitting elements 12.

[0115] In the first embodiment, the side of the display device 101 facing the protective layer 23 is open to the atmosphere. The protective layer 23 is made of a high refractive index layer having a refractive index higher than that of the atmosphere (i.e., air). This allows the light L incident through the lens 211 to be refracted by the inclined surface of the lens 231a so that it spreads outwards from the display area RE1. As described above, the inclination angle θ of the inclined surface of each lens 231a increases from the center of the display area RE1 towards the periphery of the display area RE1. Therefore, the principal ray axis of the light L emitted from the sub-pixel 10 can be tilted outwards from the display area RE1 as you move from the center of the display area RE1 towards the periphery of the display area RE1.

[0116] From the viewpoint of controlling the light rays emitted from the display surface by refracting light L with the inclined surface (refracting surface) of the lens 231a, the refractive index of the protective layer 23 is preferably 1.8 or higher, more preferably 1.9 or higher, and even more preferably 2.0 or higher, 2.1 or higher, 2.2 or higher, 2.3 or higher, or 2.4 or higher.

[0117] The protective layer 23 may be a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. From the viewpoint of sealing properties, the protective layer 23 is preferably an inorganic thin film containing an inorganic material. The inorganic material includes, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxynitride (SiOxNy), titanium oxide (TiOx), and aluminum oxide (AlOx).

[0118] (First light control unit 30a, second light control unit 30b) The display device 101 has a plurality of first light control units 30a and a plurality of second light control units 30b. The first light control unit 30a and the second light control unit 30b are provided for each sub-pixel 10. The first light control unit 30a and the second light control unit 30b are arranged in this order from upward from the light-emitting element 12.

[0119] The first light control unit 30a can control the direction of propagation of light emitted from the light-emitting element 12. More specifically, the first light control unit 30a can focus and collimate the light L emitted from the light-emitting element 12 and emit it towards the second light control unit 30b.

[0120] In the first embodiment, the first optical control unit 30a includes an optical waveguide and a lens 211. The optical waveguide is constructed by surrounding a convex portion 173 as a core with a low refractive index layer 18 as cladding. The optical waveguide is capable of totally reflecting and guiding upward the component of light L emitted diagonally upward from the light-emitting element 12 that is incident at an incident angle of a predetermined value or greater at the interface between the convex portion 173 and the low refractive index layer 18 (i.e., the side surface of the convex portion 173). In other words, the optical waveguide can focus the light L emitted from the light-emitting element 12 and guide it to the lens 211. The lens 211 can collimate the light L emitted upward from the light-emitting element 12 and emit it toward the second optical control unit 30b.

[0121] The second optical control unit 30b can control the light rays emitted from the first optical control unit 30a (specifically, control the chief ray angle (CRA)) and emit the light. More specifically, the second optical control unit 30b can refract the light emitted from the first optical control unit 30a (collimated light and reflected light) so that it spreads out outside the display area RE1.

[0122] The second optical control unit 30b includes a lens 231a. The inclined surface of the lens 231a refracts the light (collimated light and reflected light) emitted from the first optical control unit 30a so that it spreads outwards from the display area RE1, as described above.

[0123] [Configuration of Optical System 60a] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the optical system 60a. The optical system 60a may be the optical system of an eyewear device (for example, a VR device, an MR device, or an AR device). The optical system 60a comprises a display device 101 and an imaging lens 61. The display device 101 is provided opposite the imaging lens 61. The optical system 60a has an optical axis 60Ax that passes through the center of the display area RE1 of the display device 101 and the center of curvature of the imaging lens 61, and is perpendicular to the display surface of the display device 101. In the display device 101, the second optical control unit 30b (specifically, the lens 231a) controls the light L emitted from the display surface to spread outward with respect to the optical axis 60Ax. As a result, the light L emitted from the periphery of the display area RE1 can be incident on the periphery of the imaging lens 61.

[0124] In recent years, there has been a desire to widen the field of view of eyewear devices and to make eyewear devices wide FOV (Field of View). For this reason, in the optical system 60a described above, a wide FOV type lens is used as the imaging lens 61. Wide FOV type lenses are larger in size than conventional imaging lenses. For this reason, as described above, it is desirable to control the CRA of the display device 101 so that the light L emitted from the display surface of the display device 101 spreads outward with respect to the optical axis 60Ax.

[0125] [Method for Manufacturing the Display Device 101] An example of a method for manufacturing the display device 101 according to the first embodiment will be described below.

[0126] (Process for forming the first electrode 121 and contact electrode 13) First, a metal layer and a transparent conductive oxide layer are sequentially formed on the first surface of the drive substrate 11, for example by sputtering. Then, the metal layer and the transparent conductive oxide layer are patterned, for example by photolithography. As a result, a plurality of first electrodes 121 and contact electrodes 13 are formed on the first surface of the drive substrate 11.

[0127] (Insulating layer 14 formation process) Next, an insulating layer 14 is formed on the first surface of the drive substrate 11 so as to cover a plurality of first electrodes 121, for example by CVD. Next, by processing the insulating layer 14 using photolithography technology, for example, an opening 141 is formed on the first surface of each first electrode 121, and an opening 141 is also formed on the first surface of the contact electrode 13.

[0128] (Process for forming the OLED layer 122) Next, for example by vapor deposition, the hole injection layer 1221, hole transport layer 1222, red light-emitting layer 1220R, light-emitting separation layer 1223, blue light-emitting layer 1220B, green light-emitting layer 1220G, electron transport layer 1224, and electron injection layer 1225 are laminated in this order on the first surfaces of the multiple first electrodes 121 and on the first surface of the insulating layer 14. This forms an OLED layer 122 having a single-layer light-emitting unit U. Note that the OLED layer 122 is not limited to an OLED layer having a single-layer light-emitting unit U, but may also be an OLED layer having two layers of light-emitting units U1 and U2, or an OLED layer with a different structure.

[0129] (Step for forming the second electrode 123) Next, a light-transmitting conductive layer is formed on the first surface of the OLED layer 122, for example, by a vapor deposition method or a sputtering method. The conductive layer includes, for example, at least one of a metal layer and a transparent conductive oxide layer.

[0130] (Process for forming protective layer 15) Next, a first protective layer 151 is formed on the first surface of the second electrode 123, for example by CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition). Next, a second protective layer 152 is formed on the first surface of the first protective layer 151, for example by ALD. As a result, a protective layer 15 consisting of the first protective layer 151 and the second protective layer 152 is formed on the first surface of the second electrode 123. In addition, a laminate 31 consisting of the OLED layer 122, the second electrode 123 and the protective layer 15 is formed on the first surface of the first electrode 121.

[0131] (Separation process of the laminate 31) Next, a resist is applied to the first surface of the protective layer 15 and cured to form a resist layer, after which the resist layer is exposed to light and developed. As a result, island-shaped resist layers with holes in the center remain at positions corresponding to each subpixel 10, and closed-loop-shaped resist layers with multiple holes remain at positions corresponding to the peripheral region RE2. This forms an etching resist pattern.

[0132] Next, for example, by dry etching, the protective layer 15 is processed using the resist pattern as a mask, dividing the laminate 31 in the portion corresponding to the space between adjacent sub-pixels 10 in the in-plane direction, and forming contact holes 153 at positions corresponding to the center of the sub-pixels 10. The laminate 31 is also divided in the portion corresponding to the space between the display area RE1 and the peripheral area RE2, and a plurality of contact holes 154 are formed in the laminate 31 of the peripheral area RE2. After that, for example, by ashing, the resist pattern is removed from the first surface of the divided laminate 31. As a result, in the display area RE1, a plurality of light-emitting elements 12 are formed on the first surface of the drive substrate 11, and in the peripheral area RE2, a connecting electrode 13a connected to the contact electrode 13 is formed on the first surface of the non-emitting OLED layer 122. In addition, the divided laminate 31 forms an uneven surface on the first surface side of the drive substrate 11.

[0133] (Process for forming the common electrode 16) Next, the common electrode 16 is formed on the first surface side of the drive substrate 11, for example by sputtering, so as to conform to the uneven surface formed by the multiple laminates 31. At this time, contact portions 161 are formed in the contact holes 153 of each laminate 31, and contact portions 162 are formed in the multiple contact holes 154 of the peripheral region RE2. As a result, the common electrode 16 is connected to the multiple second electrodes 123 and the connecting electrode 13a.

[0134] (Protective layer 17 formation process) Next, for example, by CVD, a first protective layer 171 and a second protective layer 172 are sequentially formed on the first surface of the common electrode 16 so as to conform to the unevenness formed by the multiple laminates 31. As a result, a protective layer 17 consisting of the first protective layer 171 and the second protective layer 172 is formed on the first surface of the common electrode 16.

[0135] (Process for forming the low refractive index layer 18) Next, the low refractive index layer 18 is formed on the first surface of the protective layer 17 by, for example, CVD, to fill the recesses 174. Next, the entire first surface of the low refractive index layer 18 is etched back by, for example, dry etching. This exposes the upper surface of each protrusion 173.

[0136] (Process for forming the planarization layer 19) Next, the resin composition is applied to the upper surfaces of the multiple protrusions 173 and the first surface of the low refractive index layer 18, and then cured by, for example, light irradiation or heating to form the planarization layer 19.

[0137] (Process for forming the color filter 20) Next, a green color resist is applied to the first surface of the planarization layer 19, and after pattern exposure by irradiating with ultraviolet light through a photomask, the material is developed to form a green colored layer 20FG. Next, a red color resist is applied to the first surface of the planarization layer 19, and after pattern exposure by irradiating with ultraviolet light through a photomask, the material is developed to form a red colored layer 20FR. Next, a blue color resist is applied to the first surface of the planarization layer 19, and after pattern exposure by irradiating with ultraviolet light through a photomask, the material is developed to form a blue colored layer 20FB. As a result, the color filter 20 and the light-shielding layer 20BK are formed on the first surface of the planarization layer 19.

[0138] (Process for forming the lens array 21) Next, a photosensitive resin as a lens material is applied to the first surface of the color filter 20, for example by a spin coating method, and cured by light irradiation to form a photosensitive resin layer as a lens material layer. Next, a plurality of columnar bodies are formed in the photosensitive resin layer by patterning the photosensitive resin layer, for example by photolithography technology. Next, the plurality of columnar bodies are processed into a convex curved surface shape, for example by reflow treatment (heat treatment) or etch-back. This forms a plurality of lenses 211.

[0139] (Step for forming the low refractive index layer 22) Next, the resin composition is applied to the first surface of the lens array 21, and then the low refractive index layer 22 is formed by curing it, for example, by light irradiation or heating.

[0140] (Protective layer 23 formation process) Next, a protective layer 23 is formed on the first surface of the low refractive index layer 22, for example by CVD. Next, a lens array 231 is formed on the first surface side of the protective layer 23 by processing the protective layer 23 in a predetermined line-and-space (L / S) pattern, for example by photolithography. Here, the lines represent lenses 231a, and the spaces represent the spaces 231b between adjacent lenses 231a in the in-plane direction. As a photomask, for example, a gray tone mask is used. The display device 101 according to the first embodiment is thus obtained.

[0141] [Effects] In the conventional display device described in Patent Document 1, the principal ray angle (CRA) is controlled by shifting the relative position between the center of the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting unit (e.g., a light-emitting element) and the center of the color filter corresponding to the light-emitting unit. However, in the conventional display device, the optical control of the light emitted from the light-emitting unit is insufficient, resulting in considerable optical loss and a risk of reduced light extraction efficiency. Therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of light extraction efficiency in the conventional display device.

[0142] In contrast, in the display device 101 according to the first embodiment, the light emitted from the light-emitting element 12 is controlled by the first optical control unit 30a (optical waveguide and lens 211) and the second optical control unit 30b (lens 231a), which are sequentially provided above the light-emitting element 12. Therefore, CRA control can be performed without shifting the relative positions of the light-emitting element 12 and the colored layer 20F. Thus, CRA control can be performed while suppressing a decrease in light extraction efficiency.

[0143] Furthermore, in the display device 101 according to the first embodiment, the second light control unit 30b includes a lens 231a provided on the surface (sealing surface) of the protective layer 23, and the lens 231a has an inclined surface (refractive surface). This allows for light ray control, more specifically CRA control, to be performed by utilizing the interface between the inclined surface of the lens 231a and the atmosphere (air) (the difference in refractive index between the lens 231a and the atmosphere (air)). This technique of light ray control on the surface (sealing surface) of the protective layer 23 is a novel technique not described in Patent Document 1, etc.

[0144] Furthermore, in the display device 101 according to the first embodiment, the lens 231a has an inclined surface (refracting surface) on the side facing the center of the display area RE1. As a result, as shown in Figure 4, the light L incident through the lens 211 can be refracted by the inclined surface of the lens 231a so as to spread outwards from the display area RE1, and the principal ray axis of the sub-pixel 10 can be tilted outwards from the display area RE1 with respect to the normal (Z-axis) of the display surface. Therefore, the display device 101 can be made to have a wide FOV (Field of View). Thus, when the display device 101 is equipped in eyewear devices and electronic viewfinders, etc., the field of view of these devices can be widened.

[0145] <3 Second Embodiment> [Configuration of Display Device 102] Figure 9 is a plan view of the display device 102 according to the second embodiment. Figure 10A is a cross-sectional view along the line XA-XA in Figure 9. Figure 10B is a cross-sectional view along the line XB-XB in Figure 9. Figure 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of Figure 10A. The display device 102 according to the second embodiment differs from the display device 101 according to the first embodiment in that the protective layer 23 has an inclined portion 232 on the first surface side (sealing surface side) instead of a lens array 231. In the second embodiment, the second optical control unit 30b includes the inclined portion 232.

[0146] The inclined portion 232 has an inclined surface. The inclined surface surrounds the central part of the display area RE1 from all four sides. The inclined surface is inclined so that it rises from the center of the display area RE1 toward the outer edge. More specifically, the inclined surface is inclined so that it rises from the center of the display area RE1 toward all four sides (horizontal direction (±X axis direction) and vertical direction (±Y axis direction)).

[0147] The inclined surface may be a concavely curved inclined surface or a planar inclined surface. That is, the cross-section of the inclined portion 232 may have a substantially right-angled triangular shape with one hypotenuse curved concavely, or it may have a right-angled triangular shape. Here, the cross-section of the inclined portion 232 represents the cross-section obtained by cutting the inclined portion 232 horizontally (±X axis direction) from the center of the display area RE1 or vertically (±Y axis direction) from the center of the display area RE1.

[0148] The inclined surface may constitute a concave surface whose depth is greatest at the center of the display area RE1. The bottom of the concave surface may be a flat surface or a concave curved surface. The geometric center position of the concave surface in a plan view may coincide with the geometric center position of the display area RE1 in a plan view. Specific examples of the concave surface 201 include, but are not limited to, concave curved surfaces (e.g., spheres, aspherical surfaces), conical surfaces (e.g., elliptical conical surfaces, square pyramidal surfaces), or frustum surfaces (e.g., elliptical frustum surfaces, square frustum surfaces). In this disclosure, conical or frustum surfaces are not limited to these shapes in a mathematically strict sense, but include shapes that are visually close to these shapes. For example, conical or frustum surfaces that are distorted or deformed within the range of tolerances or errors are included.

[0149] [Effects and Effects] The display device 102 according to the second embodiment can obtain the same effects and effects as the display device 101 according to the first embodiment.

[0150] <4 Third Embodiment> [Configuration of Display Device 103] Figure 12 is a plan view of the display device 103 according to the third embodiment. Figure 13A is a cross-sectional view along the line XIIIA-XIIIA in Figure 12. Figure 13B is a cross-sectional view along the line XIIIB-XIIIB in Figure 12. Figure 14 is a perspective view of the lens array 233. The display device 103 according to the third embodiment differs from the display device 101 according to the first embodiment in that the protective layer 23 has a lens array 233 on the first surface side (sealing surface side) instead of a lens array 231.

[0151] The lens array 233 includes a plurality of lenses 233a. In the third embodiment, the second optical control unit 30b includes the lenses 233a. The plurality of lenses 233a are arranged two-dimensionally on the first surface side (sealing surface side) of the protective layer 23 in a predetermined array pattern. The predetermined array pattern is as described in the first embodiment as the predetermined array pattern of a plurality of subpixels 10. One lens 233a is provided for each subpixel 10, and one lens 233a is located above one light-emitting element 12.

[0152] The lens 233a has an inclined surface (refracting surface) on the central side of the display area RE1. The inclined surface is oblique to the Z-axis (the axis parallel to the thickness direction of the display device 101) and is inclined so as to become higher from the center of the display area RE1 toward the outer edge. The inclined surface may be a concave curved surface or a planar inclined surface. The inclined surface may have, for example, an elliptical or quadrilateral shape.

[0153] The shapes of the bottom surface and the inclined surface of the lens 233a are preferably selected according to the shape of the light-emitting region of the light-emitting element 12 in a plan view, from the viewpoint of improving light extraction efficiency. Specifically, if the light-emitting region of the light-emitting element 12 in a plan view is circular, the bottom surface of the lens 233a is preferably circular and the inclined surface of the lens 233a is preferably elliptical. If the light-emitting region of the light-emitting element 12 in a plan view is square, the bottom surface of the lens 233a is preferably square and the inclined surface of the lens 233a is preferably square.

[0154] The inclination angle θ of the inclined surface of each lens 233a increases from the center of the display area RE1 towards the periphery of the display area RE1. The inclination angle θ may change gradually for each lens 233a from the center of the display area RE1 towards the periphery of the display area RE1, or it may change in steps for every predetermined number of lenses 233a. The display area RE1 may have multiple regions from its center towards its outer periphery, and the inclination angle θ may change in steps for each region.

[0155] [Effects and Effects] The display device 103 according to the third embodiment can obtain the same effects and effects as the display device 101 according to the first embodiment.

[0156] <4. Fourth Embodiment> [Configuration of Display Device 104] Figure 15A is a first cross-sectional view (XZ section) of the display device 104 according to the fourth embodiment. Figure 15B is a second cross-sectional view (YZ section) of the display device 104 according to the fourth embodiment. Figure 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of Figure 15A. The display device 104 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the display device 101 according to the first embodiment in that it includes a lens array 234 which is a convex Fresnel lens array instead of the lens array 231 which is a concave Fresnel lens array.

[0157] The convex Fresnel lens array is composed of a plurality of inclined surfaces in which a convex curved surface is divided into concentric rectangular sections. The lens array 234 includes a plurality of lenses 234a. In the fourth embodiment, the second optical control unit 30b includes the lenses 234a. The lenses 234a differ from the lens 231a of the first embodiment in that they have an inclined surface (refracting surface) on the outer periphery side of the display area RE1 and a substantially vertical surface on the central side of the display area RE1. In the fourth embodiment, the inclined surfaces are inclined so that they become higher from the outer periphery towards the center of the display area RE1.

[0158] [Configuration of Optical System 60b] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of the optical system 60b. The optical system 60b may be the optical system of an eyewear device (for example, a VR device, an MR device, or an AR device). The optical system 60b differs from the optical system 60a in the first embodiment in that it includes a display device 104 instead of a display device 101. In the display device 104, the second optical control unit 30b (specifically the lens 234a) controls the light L emitted from the display surface to be focused toward the optical axis 60Ax. As a result, even when the imaging lens 41 is smaller than the display area RE1, the light L emitted from the periphery of the display area RE1 can be incident on the periphery of the imaging lens 61.

[0159] [Effects] In the display device 104 according to the fourth embodiment, the lens 234a has an inclined surface (refracting surface) on the outer periphery of the display area RE1. As a result, as shown in Figure 16, the light L incident through the lens 211 can be refracted by the inclined surface of the lens 234a so as to be focused inward into the display area RE1. Therefore, the principal ray axis of the sub-pixel 10 can be tilted inward into the display area RE1 with respect to the normal (Z-axis) of the display surface.

[0160] <5 Fifth Embodiment> [Configuration of Display Device 105] Figure 18A is a diagram of a first cross-section (XZ section) of the display device 105 according to the fifth embodiment. Figure 18B is a diagram of a second cross-section (YZ section) of the display device 105 according to the fifth embodiment. Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged part of Figure 18A. The display device 105 according to the fifth embodiment differs from the display device 102 according to the second embodiment in that the protective layer 23 has an inclined portion 235 on the first surface side (sealing surface side) instead of an inclined portion 232. In the fifth embodiment, the second optical control unit 30b includes the inclined portion 235.

[0161] The inclined portion 235 differs from the inclined portion 232 of the second embodiment in that it is inclined so as to become higher from the outer periphery of the display area RE1 toward the center. The inclined surface may constitute a convex surface whose height is greatest at the center of the display area RE1. The apex of the convex surface may be a flat surface or a convex curved surface. The geometric center position of the convex surface in a plan view may coincide with the geometric center position of the display area RE1 in a plan view. Specific examples of a convex surface include, but are not limited to, a convex curved surface (e.g., a sphere, an aspherical surface), a pyramidal surface (e.g., an elliptical pyramidal surface, a square pyramidal surface), or a frustum surface (e.g., an elliptical frustum surface, a square frustum surface).

[0162] [Effects] The display device 105 according to the fifth embodiment can obtain the same effects as the display device 104 according to the fourth embodiment.

[0163] <6. Sixth Embodiment> [Configuration of Display Device 106] Figure 20A is a diagram of the first cross-section (XZ section) of the display device according to the sixth embodiment. Figure 20B is a diagram of the second cross-section (YZ section) of the display device according to the sixth embodiment. The display device 106 according to the sixth embodiment differs from the display device 103 according to the third embodiment in that the protective layer 23 has a lens array 236 on the first surface side (sealing surface side) instead of a lens array 233.

[0164] The lens array 236 includes a plurality of lenses 236a. In the sixth embodiment, the second optical control unit 30b includes a lens 236a. The lens 236a differs from the lens 233a of the third embodiment in that it has an inclined surface (refracting surface) on the outer periphery of the display area RE1. In the sixth embodiment, the inclined surface is inclined to become higher from the outer periphery of the display area RE1 toward the center.

[0165] [Effects] The display device 106 according to the sixth embodiment can obtain the same effects as the display device 104 according to the fourth embodiment.

[0166] <7 Modifications> [Modification 1] In the first to sixth embodiments, an example was described in which the first optical control unit 30a includes both an optical waveguide and a lens 211, but the configuration of the first optical control unit 30a is not limited to this example. The first optical control unit 30a may include either an optical waveguide or a lens 211. In this case, the first optical control unit 30a may be capable of optical control of either focusing or collimating the light L emitted from the light-emitting element 12.

[0167] [Modification 2] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the inclination angle θ of the lens 231a gradually changes for each row of lenses 231a from the center O of the display area RE1 toward the periphery of the display area RE1. However, the change in the inclination angle θ of the lens 231a is not limited to this example. For example, as shown in Figure 21, the inclination angle θ of the lens 231a may change in steps in units of blocks consisting of a predetermined number of rows of lenses 231a. More specifically, the display area RE1 may be divided into a plurality of areas RE11 toward the outer periphery from its center O, and the inclination angle θ may change in steps in units of areas RE11. Areas RE11 may have a concentric rectangular shape.

[0168] The inclination angles θ of lens 233a in the third embodiment, lens 234a in the fourth embodiment, and lens 236a in the sixth embodiment may change in steps in units of blocks consisting of a predetermined number of rows of lenses 231a, 234a, and 235a, similar to the inclination angle θ of the lens array 231 described above. More specifically, the display area RE1 may be divided into a plurality of areas RE11 from its center O toward the outer periphery, and the inclination angle θ may change in steps in units of areas RE11.

[0169] [Modification 3] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the lens array 231 is provided over the entire display area RE1. However, the range in which the lens array 231 is provided is not limited to this example, and the lens array 231 may be provided in a part of the display area RE1. For example, as shown in Figure 22, the lens array 231 may be selectively provided in a predetermined range RE12 from the periphery of the display area RE1 toward the center to a predetermined position. In this case, the principal ray axis of the sub-pixel 10 included in the predetermined range RE12 of the display area RE1 can be tilted outward from the display area RE1 with respect to the normal (Z-axis) of the display surface by the inclined surface of the lens 231a. Therefore, the display device 101 can be widened to FOV.

[0170] The lens array 233 in the third embodiment, the lens array 234 in the fourth embodiment, and the lens array 236 in the sixth embodiment may be provided in a part of the display area RE1, similar to the lens array 231 described above. For example, these lens arrays 233, 234, and 236 may be selectively provided in a predetermined range RE12 within the display area RE1.

[0171] When lens arrays 231, 233, 234, and 236 are provided in a part of the display area RE1 (for example, a predetermined range RE12), the inclination angle θ of the multiple lenses 231a, 233a, 234a, and 236a may increase from the center of the display area RE1 towards the periphery, or it may remain constant without changing.

[0172] The inclined portion 232 in the second embodiment and the inclined portion 235 in the fifth embodiment may be provided in a part of the display area RE1. For example, these inclined portions 232 and 235 may be selectively provided in a predetermined range RE12 within the display area RE1.

[0173] [Modification 4] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the lens array 231 is a concave Fresnel lens array, but the configuration of the lens array 231 is not limited to this example. For example, the lens array 231 may be a prism lens array. The prism lens array includes lenses 231a arranged in a concentric rectangular shape centered on the center of the display area RE1. The lenses 231a have an inclined surface (refracting surface) on the center side of the display area RE1 and a substantially vertical surface on the outer periphery side of the display area RE1. The cross-section of the lenses 231a has a right-angled triangular shape. Here, the right-angled triangular shape is not limited to a mathematically strict right-angled triangular shape, but includes shapes that are visually close to a right-angled triangle. For example, it includes shapes in which the right-angled triangle shape is distorted or deformed within the range of tolerances or errors, and shapes in which the vertex angle of the right-angled triangle is rounded.

[0174] In the fourth embodiment, an example was described in which the lens array 234 is a convex Fresnel lens array, but the configuration of the lens array 234 is not limited to this example. For example, the lens array 234 may be a prism lens array. The lens 234a has an inclined surface (refracting surface) on the central side of the display area RE1 and a substantially vertical surface on the outer periphery side of the display area RE1. The cross-section of the lens 234a is a right-angled triangle.

[0175] [Modification 5] In Modification 4, an example was described in which the lens array 231 is a prism lens array, and the prism lens array includes a plurality of lenses 231a arranged in a concentric rectangular shape centered on the center of the display area RE1. However, the configuration of the prism lens array is not limited to this example. For example, as shown in Figures 23, 24A, and 24B, the plurality of lenses 231a may have a prism shape extending in the Y-axis direction, and the plurality of lenses 231a may be arranged in a one-dimensional array in the X-axis direction. That is, the plurality of lenses 231a may be arranged in a stripe shape. In this case, CRA control can be performed in the horizontal direction (±X-axis direction) by the inclined surface of the lenses 231a.

[0176] In the fourth embodiment, the multiple lenses 234a may have a prism shape extending in the Y-axis direction, similar to the lens 231a described above, and the multiple lenses 231a may be arranged in a one-dimensional array in the X-axis direction.

[0177] Furthermore, the multiple lenses 231a and 234a may have a prism shape extending in the X-axis direction, and the multiple lenses 231a and 234a may be arranged in a one-dimensional array in the Y-axis direction. In this case, CRA control can be performed in the vertical direction (±Y-axis direction) by the inclined surfaces of the lenses 231a and 234a.

[0178] [Modification 6] In the second embodiment, an example was described in which the inclined surface of the inclined portion 232 is inclined to become higher in all directions from the center of the display area RE1 (specifically, in the horizontal direction (±X axis direction) and the vertical direction (±Y axis direction)). However, the shape of the inclined surface of the inclined portion 232 is not limited to this example. For example, as shown in Figures 25A and 25B, the inclined surface of the inclined portion 232 is inclined to become higher in the horizontal direction (±X axis direction) from the center of the display area RE1, while the height does not change and it is flat in the vertical direction (±Y axis direction) from the center of the display area RE1. Although not shown in the figures, the inclined surface of the inclined portion 232 is inclined to become higher in the vertical direction (±Y axis direction) from the center of the display area RE1, while the height does not change and it is flat in the horizontal direction (±X axis direction) from the center of the display area RE1.

[0179] The inclined surface may constitute a columnar concave surface whose depth is greatest at the center of the display area RE1 in the horizontal direction (±X axis direction). The bottom of the columnar concave surface may be a flat surface or a concave curved surface. The columnar concave surface 201 is, for example, a columnar curved surface. Specific examples of a columnar curved surface include, but are not limited to, cylindrical surfaces, elliptical surfaces, or parabolic surfaces.

[0180] [Modification 7] In the first to sixth embodiments, examples were described in which the protective layer 23-side surface (sealing surface) of the display devices 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, and 106 is open to the atmosphere. However, the configuration of the display devices 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, and 106 is not limited to this example, and for example, a medium or layer other than air may be adjacent to the first surface of the protective layer 23. In this case, it is preferable that the refractive index of the protective layer 23 is higher than the refractive index of the above medium or layer.

[0181] [Modification 8] In the third embodiment, an example was described in which one lens 233a is provided for one sub-pixel 10. However, the number of lenses 233a for one sub-pixel 10 is not limited to this example, and two or more lenses 233a may be provided for one sub-pixel 10. Also, one lens 233a may be provided for two or more adjacent sub-pixels 10.

[0182] Similarly, in the sixth embodiment, two or more lenses 236a may be provided for one sub-pixel 10. Alternatively, one lens 236a may be provided for two or more adjacent sub-pixels 10.

[0183] [Modification 9] In the third embodiment, an example was described in which the lens 233a is a lens having an inclined surface. However, the lens 233a is not limited to this example, and the lens 233a may be a convex curved surface lens that protrudes from the first surface (sealing surface) of the protective layer 23. Specific examples of a convex curved surface include a spherical or aspherical shape, but the lens is not limited to these shapes.

[0184] [Modification 10] In the first embodiment, a metalens having the same function as the lens array 233 may be provided instead of the lens array 231. In the second embodiment, a metalens having the same function as the inclined portion 232 may be provided instead of the inclined portion 232. In the third embodiment, a metalens having the same function as the lens array 233 may be provided instead of the lens array 233.

[0185] In the fourth embodiment, a metalens having the same function as the lens array 234 may be provided instead of the lens array 234. In the fifth embodiment, a metalens having the same function as the inclined portion 235 may be provided instead of the inclined portion 235. In the sixth embodiment, a metalens having the same function as the lens array 236 may be provided instead of the lens array 236.

[0186] [Modification 11] From the viewpoint of improving light extraction efficiency and / or color purity, the light-emitting element 12 may have a resonator structure. More specifically, the light-emitting element 12 included in the sub-pixel 10R may have a resonator structure that can resonate and enhance the red light contained in the white light emitted from the OLED layer 122. The light-emitting element 12 included in the sub-pixel 10G may have a resonator structure that can resonate and enhance the green light contained in the white light emitted from the OLED layer 122. The light-emitting element 12 included in the sub-pixel 10B may have a resonator structure that can resonate and enhance the blue light contained in the white light emitted from the OLED layer 122. The resonator structure may be capable of focusing light by resonating a predetermined wavelength of light (red light, green light, or blue light) contained in the white light emitted from the OLED layer 122.

[0187] If the first electrode 121 is a reflective electrode that functions as a reflective layer, a resonator structure may be formed by the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 123. In this case, the optical distance between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 123 may be set by the thickness of the OLED layer 122, by the selection of the material of the first electrode 121, or by a combination of these.

[0188] If the first electrode 121 is a transparent electrode, a reflective layer may be provided below the transparent electrode, and the resonator structure may be formed by the reflective layer and the second electrode 123. In this case, the optical distance between the reflective layer and the second electrode 123 may be set by the thickness of the OLED layer 122, by the selection of the material of the reflective layer, by the thickness of the insulating layer provided between the first electrode 121 (transparent electrode) and the reflective layer, or by a combination of two or more of these.

[0189] The following section will explain specific examples of resonator structures with reference to the diagrams.

[0190] (Resonator Structure: First Example) Figure 26A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the first example of a resonator structure. In the following description, when the light-emitting elements provided in correspondence with sub-pixels 10R, 10G, and 10B are not specifically distinguished and are referred to collectively as light-emitting elements 12, these elements may be referred to as light-emitting elements 12. When the light-emitting elements provided in correspondence with sub-pixels 10R, 10G, and 10B are distinguished, these light-emitting elements may be referred to as light-emitting elements 12. Ｒ , 12 Ｇ , 12 Ｂ This is the case. The parts of the OLED layer 122 that correspond to the sub-pixels 10R, 10G, and 10B are the OLED layer 122 Ｒ , OLED layer 122 Ｇ , OLED layer 122 Ｂ That happens.

[0191] In the first example, the first electrode 121 is formed with a common film thickness in each light-emitting element 12. The same applies to the second electrode 123.

[0192] A reflector 71 is positioned below the first electrode 121 of the light-emitting element 12, with an optical adjustment layer 72 in between. A resonator structure is formed between the reflector 71 and the second electrode 123 to resonate the light generated by the OLED layer 122. In the following description, the optical adjustment layer 72 provided in accordance with the sub-pixels 10R, 10G, and 10B will be referred to as the optical adjustment layer 72 Ｒ , 72 Ｇ , 72 Ｂ That happens.

[0193] The reflector 71 is formed with a common film thickness for each light-emitting element 12. The film thickness of the optical adjustment layer 72 differs depending on the color that the sub-pixel should display. Optical adjustment layer 72 Ｒ , 72 Ｇ , 72 Ｂ By having different film thicknesses, it is possible to set the optical distance that produces the optimal resonance for the wavelength of light corresponding to the color to be displayed.

[0194] In the example shown in Figure 26A, the light-emitting element 12 Ｒ , 12 Ｇ , 12 ＢThe upper surfaces of the reflectors 71 are aligned. As described above, the thickness of the optical adjustment layer 72 varies depending on the color that the subpixels should display, so the position of the upper surface of the second electrode 123 is such that the light-emitting element 12 Ｒ , 12 Ｇ , 12 Ｂ It varies depending on the type.

[0195] The reflector 71 can be formed using, for example, a metal such as aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), or copper (Cu), or an alloy mainly composed of these metals.

[0196] The optical adjustment layer 72 is made of silicon nitride (SiN ｘ ), silicon oxide (SiO ｘ ), silicon oxynitride (SiO ｘ N ｙ It can be constructed using inorganic insulating materials such as ) or organic resin materials such as acrylic resins or polyimide resins. The optical adjustment layer 72 may be a single layer or a laminated film of multiple materials. The number of layers may also differ depending on the type of light-emitting element 12.

[0197] The first electrode 121 can be formed using a transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), or zinc oxide (ZnO).

[0198] The second electrode 123 functions as a semi-transparent reflective film. The second electrode 123 can be formed using magnesium (Mg), silver (Ag), or a magnesium-silver alloy (MgAg) mainly composed of these, or an alloy containing alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, etc.

[0199] (Resonator structure: Second example) Figure 26B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a second example of a resonator structure.

[0200] In the second example as well, the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 123 are formed with a common film thickness in each light-emitting element 12.

[0201] In the second example as well, a reflector 71 is placed below the first electrode 121 of the light-emitting element 12, with an optical adjustment layer 72 in between. A resonator structure is formed between the reflector 71 and the second electrode 123 to resonate the light generated by the OLED layer 122. Similar to the first example, the reflector 71 is formed with a common film thickness in each light-emitting element 12, while the film thickness of the optical adjustment layer 72 differs according to the color that the sub-pixel should display.

[0202] In the first example shown in Figure 26A, the light-emitting element 12 Ｒ , 12 Ｇ , 12 Ｂ The upper surfaces of the reflectors 71 are arranged to be aligned, and the position of the upper surface of the second electrode 123 is such that the light-emitting element 12 Ｒ , 12 Ｇ , 12 Ｂ It varies depending on the type.

[0203] In contrast, in the second example shown in Figure 26B, the upper surface of the second electrode 123 is the light-emitting element 12 Ｒ , 12 Ｇ , 12 Ｂ They are arranged so that they are aligned. In order to align the upper surface of the second electrode 123, the light-emitting element 12 Ｒ , 12 Ｇ , 12 Ｂ In this configuration, the upper surface of the reflector 71 is the light-emitting element 12 Ｒ , 12 Ｇ , 12 Ｂ They are arranged differently depending on the type. For this reason, the lower surface of the reflector 71 (in other words, the upper surface of the base layer (insulating layer) 73) has a stepped shape corresponding to the type of light-emitting element 12.

[0204] The materials and other components constituting the reflector 71, the optical adjustment layer 72, the first electrode 121, and the second electrode 123 are the same as those described in the first example, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0205] (Resonator Structure: Third Example) Figure 27A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the third example of the resonator structure. In the following description, the reflectors 71 provided corresponding to the sub-pixels 10R, 10G, and 10B will be referred to as the reflectors 71 Ｒ , 71 Ｇ , 71 Ｂ That happens.

[0206] In the third example as well, the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 123 are formed with a common film thickness in each light-emitting element 12.

[0207] In the third example, the reflector 71 is positioned below the first electrode 121 of the light-emitting element 12, with the optical adjustment layer 72 in between. A resonator structure is formed between the reflector 71 and the second electrode 123 to resonate the light generated by the OLED layer 122. Similar to the first and second examples, the thickness of the optical adjustment layer 72 varies depending on the color that the subpixel should display. And, similar to the second example, the position of the upper surface of the second electrode 123 is relative to the light-emitting element 12 Ｒ , 12 Ｇ , 12 Ｂ They are arranged so that they are aligned.

[0208] In the second example shown in Figure 27B, the lower surface of the reflector 71 has a stepped shape according to the type of light-emitting element 12 in order to align the upper surface of the second electrode 123.

[0209] In contrast, in the third example shown in Figure 27A, the film thickness of the reflector 71 is equal to the film thickness of the light-emitting element 12 Ｒ , 12 Ｇ , 12 Ｂ It is set differently depending on the type. More specifically, reflector 71 Ｒ , 71 Ｇ , 71 Ｂ The film thickness is set so that the bottom surfaces are aligned.

[0210] The materials and other components constituting the reflector 71, the optical adjustment layer 72, the first electrode 121, and the second electrode 123 are the same as those described in the first example, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0211] (Resonator Structure: Fourth Example) Figure 27B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the fourth example of a resonator structure. In the following description, the first electrode 121 provided corresponding to the sub-pixels 10R, 10G, and 10B will be referred to as the first electrode 121 Ｒ , 121 Ｇ , 121 Ｂ That happens.

[0212] In the first example shown in FIG. 26A, the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 123 of each light-emitting element 12 are formed with a common film thickness. And a reflector 71 is disposed under the first electrode 121 of the light-emitting element 12 with an optical adjustment layer 72 interposed therebetween.

[0213] In contrast, in the fourth example shown in FIG. 27B, the optical adjustment layer 72 is omitted, and the film thickness of the first electrode 121 is set to be different according to the type of the light-emitting element 12 Ｒ 、12 Ｇ 、12 Ｂ 。

[0214] The reflector 71 is formed with a common film thickness for each light-emitting element 12. The film thickness of the first electrode 121 is different according to the color that the sub-pixel is to display. By having different film thicknesses for the first electrodes 121 Ｒ 、121 Ｇ 、121 Ｂ it is possible to set an optical distance that produces an optimum resonance for the wavelength of light corresponding to the color to be displayed.

[0215] Regarding the materials and the like that constitute the reflector 71, the optical adjustment layer 72, the first electrode 121, and the second electrode 123, since they are the same as those described in the first example, the description thereof is omitted.

[0216] (Resonator structure: Fifth example) FIG. 28A is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a fifth example of the resonator structure.

[0217] In the first example shown in FIG. 26A, the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 123 are formed with a common film thickness for each light-emitting element 12. And a reflector 71 is disposed under the first electrode 121 of the light-emitting element 12 with an optical adjustment layer 72 interposed therebetween.

[0218] In contrast, in the fifth example shown in FIG. 28A, the optical adjustment layer 72 is omitted, and instead, an oxide film 74 is formed on the surface of the reflector 71. The film thickness of the oxide film 74 is set to be different according to the type of the light-emitting element 12 Ｒ 、12 Ｇ 、12 Ｂ 。In the following description, the oxide films 74 provided corresponding to the sub-pixels 10R, 10G, and 10B are referred to as oxide films 74 Ｒ 、74Ｇ , 74 Ｂ That happens.

[0219] The thickness of the oxide film 74 varies depending on the color that the sub-pixel should display. Oxide film 74 Ｒ , 74 Ｇ , 74 Ｂ By having different film thicknesses, it is possible to set the optical distance that produces the optimal resonance for the wavelength of light corresponding to the color to be displayed.

[0220] The oxide film 74 is a film obtained by oxidizing the surface of the reflector 71, and is composed of, for example, aluminum oxide, tantalum oxide, titanium oxide, magnesium oxide, zirconium oxide, etc. The oxide film 74 functions as an insulating film for adjusting the optical path length (optical distance) between the reflector 71 and the second electrode 123.

[0221] Light-emitting element 12 Ｒ , 12 Ｇ , 12 Ｂ The oxide film 74, which has different thicknesses depending on the type, can be formed, for example, as follows.

[0222] First, the electrolyte is filled into the container, and the substrate on which the reflector 71 is formed is immersed in the electrolyte. Electrodes are then positioned opposite the reflector 71.

[0223] Then, a positive voltage is applied to the reflector 71 with the electrode as the reference, and the reflector 71 is anodized. The thickness of the oxide film due to anodizing is proportional to the voltage value relative to the electrode. Ｒ , 71 Ｇ , 71 Ｂ Anodizing is performed on each of the light-emitting elements 12 while applying a voltage corresponding to the type of light-emitting element 12. This makes it possible to form oxide films 74 of different thicknesses all at once.

[0224] The materials and other components constituting the reflector 71, the first electrode 121, and the second electrode 123 are the same as those described in the first example, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0225] (Resonator structure: 6th example) Figure 28B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the 6th example of a resonator structure.

[0226] In the sixth example, the light-emitting element 12 is constructed by stacking a first electrode 121, an OLED layer 122, and a second electrode 123. However, in the sixth example, the first electrode 121 is formed to serve both as an electrode and a reflector. The first electrode (and reflector) 121 is the light-emitting element 12 Ｒ , 12 Ｇ , 12 Ｂ It is formed from a material having optical constants selected according to the type. By having different phase shifts due to the first electrode (which also serves as a reflector) 121, it is possible to set the optical distance that produces the optimal resonance for the wavelength of light corresponding to the color to be displayed.

[0227] The first electrode (and reflector) 121 can be made from a single metal such as aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), gold (Au), or copper (Cu), or an alloy mainly composed of these metals. For example, the light-emitting element 12 Ｒ First electrode (also serving as reflector) 121 Ｒ The element 12 is formed from copper (Cu). Ｇ First electrode (also serving as reflector) 121 Ｇ and light-emitting element 12 Ｂ First electrode (also serving as reflector) 121 Ｂ The structure can be such that the two parts are formed from aluminum.

[0228] The materials and other components constituting the second electrode 123 are the same as those described in the first example, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0229] (Resonator structure: 7th example) Figure 29 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the 7th example of a resonator structure.

[0230] The seventh example is basically a light-emitting element 12 Ｒ , 12 Ｇ For this, the sixth example is applied, and the light-emitting element 12 Ｂ This configuration applies the first example. In this configuration as well, it is possible to set the optical distance that produces the optimal resonance for the wavelength of light corresponding to the color to be displayed.

[0231] Light-emitting element 12 Ｒ , 12 Ｇ First electrode (also serves as a reflector) 121 used in Ｒ , 121Ｇ These can be composed of elemental metals such as aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), gold (Au), and copper (Cu), or alloys in which these are the main components.

[0232] Light-emitting element 12 Ｂ Reflector 71 used in Ｂ , optical adjustment layer 72 Ｂ and the first electrode 121 Ｂ The materials and other components that make up this are the same as those described in the first example, so we will omit the explanation.

[0233] [Modification 12] In the first to sixth embodiments, examples were described in which the display devices 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, and 106 are equipped with a plurality of light-emitting elements 12 capable of emitting white light and a color filter 20, and can display a color image by a combination of these. However, the method of colorization of the display devices 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, and 106 is not limited to this. For example, instead of a plurality of light-emitting elements 12 capable of emitting white light, the display devices 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, and 106 may be equipped with a plurality of light-emitting elements capable of emitting red light, a plurality of light-emitting elements capable of emitting green light, and a plurality of light-emitting elements capable of emitting blue light. In this case, the color filter is not an essential component and may or may not be provided.

[0234] A light-emitting element capable of emitting light of a predetermined color (red light, green light, or blue light) is, for example, (1) a light-emitting element including a light-emitting layer capable of emitting light of a predetermined color (red light, green light, or blue light), (2) a light-emitting element including a light-emitting layer capable of emitting white light, and capable of resonating and emphasizing light of a predetermined wavelength (red light, green light, or blue light) contained in the white light emitted by the light-emitting layer using a resonator structure, or (3) a light-emitting element including a light-emitting layer capable of emitting light of a predetermined color (red light, green light, or blue light), and capable of resonating and emphasizing light of a predetermined wavelength contained in the light of a predetermined color emitted by the light-emitting layer using a resonator structure.

[0235] [Modification 13] In the first to sixth embodiments, an example in which a color filter 20 is provided was described, but a quantum dot layer may be provided instead of the color filter 20, or a quantum dot layer may be provided together with the color filter 20. The quantum dot layer is a color conversion layer that contains quantum dots (semiconductor particles) and can convert the color of the light emitted from a plurality of light-emitting elements 12. In this case, the plurality of light-emitting elements 12 may be configured to emit blue light.

[0236] [Modification 14] In the first to sixth embodiments, an example was described in which the light-emitting element 12 is an OLED element. However, the light-emitting element 12 is not limited to this example, and may be a self-emissive light-emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) element, an inorganic electroluminescence (IEL) element, a quantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED) element, or a semiconductor laser element. Two or more types of light-emitting elements may be provided in the display devices 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, and 106.

[0237] [Other Modifications] The first to sixth embodiments of this disclosure and their modifications (hereinafter referred to as "the first embodiment, etc.") have been described in detail above. However, this disclosure is not limited to the first embodiment, etc., and various modifications based on the technical idea of ​​this disclosure are possible.

[0238] For example, the configurations, methods, processes, shapes, materials, and numerical values ​​mentioned in the first embodiment are merely examples, and different configurations, methods, processes, shapes, materials, and numerical values ​​may be used as needed.

[0239] The configurations, methods, processes, shapes, materials, and numerical values ​​of the first embodiment, etc., can be combined with each other without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0240] Unless otherwise specified, the materials exemplified in the first embodiment, etc., can be used individually or in combination of two or more types.

[0241] Furthermore, the present disclosure may also adopt the following configurations: (1) A display device comprising: a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged light-emitting elements; a protective layer comprising an inorganic material and sealing the display surface side, wherein the protective layer has a lens array on a side opposite to the plurality of light-emitting elements. (2) The display device according to (1), further comprising: a plurality of light control units provided between the plurality of light-emitting elements and the protective layer and capable of controlling the light emitted from the light-emitting elements. (3) The display device according to (2), wherein the light control by the light control units includes both or either focusing and collimating. (4) The display device according to (2) or (3), wherein the light control unit comprises: a reflective surface that surrounds the light-emitting region of the light-emitting elements in a plan view and is capable of totally reflecting the light emitted from the light-emitting elements; and a first lens provided on the display surface side of the reflective surface. (5) The display device according to (4), wherein the first lens is capable of collimating at least a portion of the light emitted from the light-emitting elements. (6) The display device according to (2) or (3), wherein the optical control unit includes an optical waveguide capable of guiding the light emitted from the light-emitting element upward, and a first lens provided on the display surface side of the optical waveguide. (7) The display device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the lens array includes a plurality of second lenses, each having an inclined surface, the inclined surface being inclined to become higher from the center of the display area toward the outer periphery. (8) The display device according to (7), wherein the inclination angle θ of the inclined surface of the second lens increases from the center of the display area toward the periphery of the display area. (9) The display device according to (7) or (8), wherein the lens array is provided in a predetermined range toward the center from the periphery of the display area. (10) The display device according to any one of (7) to (9), wherein the second lens has a columnar shape extending in the in-plane direction of the display surface, and the plurality of second lenses are arranged concentrically or in a striped pattern. (11) The display device according to (10), wherein the columnar shape is a substantially right-angled triangular prism.(12) The display device according to any one of (7) to (10), wherein the lens array is a concave Fresnel lens array or a prism lens array. (13) The display device according to any one of (7) to (9), wherein the plurality of second lenses are arranged in a two-dimensional array to correspond to the plurality of light-emitting elements. (14) The display device according to (1), further comprising a plurality of light-control units provided between the plurality of light-emitting elements and the protective layer, and capable of controlling the light emitted from the light-emitting elements, wherein the light-control units include a reflective surface that surrounds the light-emitting region of the light-emitting elements in a plan view and is capable of totally reflecting the light emitted from the light-emitting elements, and a first lens provided on the display surface side of the reflective surface, wherein the lens array includes a plurality of second lenses, the second lenses having inclined surfaces, the inclined surfaces being inclined to be higher from the center to the outer periphery of the display region. (15) The display device according to any one of (1) to (14), wherein the light-emitting element has a resonator structure capable of resonating with light of a specific wavelength. (16) The display device according to any one of (1) to (15), wherein the protective layer is made of an inorganic thin film with a refractive index of 1.8 or higher. (17) A display device comprising: a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged light-emitting elements; and a protective layer containing an inorganic material that seals the display surface side, wherein the protective layer has an inclined portion on a surface opposite to the side of the plurality of light-emitting elements, and the inclined portion is inclined from the center of the display area toward the outer periphery. (18) The display device according to (17), wherein the inclined portion is inclined to become higher from the center of the display area toward the outer periphery. (19) An optical system comprising the display device according to any one of (1) to (18). (20) An electronic device comprising the display device according to any one of (1) to (18). (21) A method for manufacturing a display device, comprising: forming a protective layer containing an inorganic material that seals the display surface side; and processing the surface of the protective layer to form a lens array. (22) A method for manufacturing a display device, comprising: forming a protective layer containing an inorganic material that seals the display surface side; and processing the surface of the protective layer to form an inclined portion that slopes from the center of the display area toward the outer edge.

[0242] <8 Application Examples> (Electronic Devices) Hereinafter, the display devices 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106 according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth embodiments, respectively, and the display devices 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106 according to their modified versions will be referred to as the display device 101, etc., according to the first embodiment.

[0243] The display device 101, etc. according to the first embodiment may be provided in various electronic devices. The display device 101, etc. according to the first embodiment is particularly suitable for eyewear devices such as head-mounted displays that require high resolution and are used magnified close to the eyes. In the following, as specific examples of electronic devices, a head-mounted display 420 and a see-through head-mounted display 440 equipped with one of the display devices 101, etc. according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0244] (Specific Example 1) Figure 30 shows an example of the appearance of a head-mounted display 420. The head-mounted display 420 is an example of an eyewear device. The head-mounted display 420 has, for example, a glasses-shaped display unit 421 and ear hooks 422 on both sides for attachment to the user's head. The display unit 421 includes one of the display devices 101, etc., according to the first embodiment.

[0245] (Specific Example 2) Figure 31 shows an example of the appearance of a see-through head-mounted display 440. The see-through head-mounted display 440 is an example of an eyewear device. The see-through head-mounted display 440 comprises a main body 441, an arm 442, and a lens barrel 443.

[0246] The main body 441 is connected to the arm 442 and the eyeglasses 450. Specifically, the long end of the main body 441 is connected to the arm 442, and one side of the main body 441 is connected to the eyeglasses 450 via a connecting member. The main body 441 may also be directly attached to the head of a person.

[0247] The main body 441 houses a control board for controlling the operation of the see-through head-mounted display 440, as well as a display unit. The arm 442 connects the main body 441 to the lens barrel 443 and supports the lens barrel 443. Specifically, the arm 442 is connected to the end of the main body 441 and the end of the lens barrel 443, respectively, to fix the lens barrel 443 in place. The arm 442 also incorporates signal lines for communicating image-related data provided from the main body 441 to the lens barrel 443.

[0248] The microscope tube 443 projects image light, provided from the main body 441 via the arm 442, through the eyepiece 451 towards the eyes of the user wearing the see-through head-mounted display 440. In this see-through head-mounted display 440, the display unit of the main body 441 includes one of the display devices 101, etc., according to the first embodiment.

[0249] 1A Laminate 10R, 10G, 10B Sub-pixel 10P 1 pixel 11 Driving substrate 111 Substrate 112 Insulating layer 113 Pad portion 12 Light-emitting element 121 First electrode 122 OLED layer 123 Second electrode 13 Contact electrode 13 13a Connecting electrode 14 Insulating layer 141, 142 Aperture 15, 15a Protective layer 151 First protective layer 152 Second protective layer 153, 154 Contact hole 16 Common electrode 161, 162 Contact portion 17 Protective layer 171 First protective layer 172 Second protective layer 173 Protrusion 174 Recess 18 Low refractive index layer 19 Planarization layer 20 Color filter 20FR, 20FG, 20FB Coloring layer 20BK Light-shielding layer 22 Low refractive index layer 23 Protective layers 231, 233, 234, 236 Lens array 231a, 233a, 234a, 236a Lens 231b Space 232, 235 Inclined section 30a First light control unit 30b Second light control unit 31 Laminate 60a, 60b Optical system 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106 Display device 420 Head-mounted display 440 See-through head-mounted display U Single-layer light-emitting unit U1, U2 Two-layer light-emitting unit RE1 Display area RE2 Peripheral area

Claims

Multiple light-emitting elements arranged in a two-dimensional array, A protective layer containing inorganic materials that seals the display side, Equipped with, The protective layer has a lens array on the side opposite to the side of the plurality of light-emitting elements. Display device. 　 The system further comprises a plurality of light control units provided between the plurality of light-emitting elements and the protective layer, which are capable of controlling the light emitted from the light-emitting elements. The display device according to claim 1. 　 The optical control by the optical control unit includes both or either focusing and collimating, The display device according to claim 2. 　 The optical control unit, A reflective surface that surrounds the light-emitting region of the light-emitting element in a plan view and is capable of totally reflecting the light emitted from the light-emitting element, A first lens provided on the display surface side of the reflective surface, including, The display device according to claim 2. 　 The first lens is capable of collimating at least a portion of the light emitted from the light-emitting element. The display device according to claim 4. 　 The optical control unit, An optical waveguide capable of guiding the light emitted from the light-emitting element upwards, A first lens provided on the display surface side of the optical waveguide, including, The display device according to claim 2. 　 The lens array includes a plurality of second lenses, The second lens has an inclined surface, and the inclined surface is inclined such that it becomes higher from the center of the display area toward the outer edge. The display device according to claim 1. 　 The inclination angle θ of the inclined surface of the second lens increases from the center of the display area toward the periphery of the display area. The display device according to claim 7. 　 The aforementioned lens array is provided within a predetermined range from the periphery to the center of the display area. The display device according to claim 7. 　 The second lens has a columnar shape extending in the in-plane direction of the display surface, The plurality of second lenses are arranged concentrically or in a striped pattern. The display device according to claim 7. 　 The columnar shape is a roughly right-angled triangular prism. The display device according to claim 10. 　 The lens array is a concave Fresnel lens array or a prism lens array. The display device according to claim 7. 　 The plurality of second lenses are arranged in a two-dimensional array to correspond to the plurality of light-emitting elements. The display device according to claim 7. 　 The system further comprises a plurality of light control units provided between the plurality of light-emitting elements and the protective layer, which are capable of controlling the light emitted from the light-emitting elements. The light control unit includes a reflective surface that surrounds the light-emitting region of the light-emitting element in a plan view and is capable of totally reflecting the light emitted from the light-emitting element, and a first lens provided on the display surface side of the reflective surface. The lens array includes a plurality of second lenses, each of which has an inclined surface, and the inclined surface is inclined such that it rises from the center of the display area toward the outer edge. The display device according to claim 1. 　 The light-emitting element has a resonator structure capable of resonating with light of a specific wavelength. The display device according to claim 1. 　 The protective layer is composed of an inorganic thin film with a refractory coefficient of 1.8 or higher. The display device according to claim 1. 　 Multiple light-emitting elements arranged in a two-dimensional array, A protective layer containing inorganic materials that seals the display side, Equipped with, The protective layer has an inclined portion on the side opposite to the side of the plurality of light-emitting elements. The aforementioned inclined portion is inclined from the center of the display area toward the outer edge. Display device. 　 The aforementioned inclined portion is sloped so that it becomes higher from the center of the display area toward the outer edge. The display device according to claim 17. 　 An optical system comprising the display device described in claim 1. 　 An electronic device comprising the display device described in claim 1.

Images