Cholesteric Polymer Film for OLED Light Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current OLED displays face inefficiencies due to the use of circular polarizers, which block approximately 50% of emitted light, leading to increased power consumption and the need for multiple emissive layers to compensate for brightness loss, especially since blue reflecting layers enhance transmission but also increase reflectance of external light.
Innovation Solution
An optical component comprising a linear polarizer, a quarter wave plate, and a patterned or structured light reflecting polymer film, utilizing a cholesteric polymerizable liquid crystalline material to improve light transmission and reduce reflections, is developed. This component is designed for use in OLEDs, where the cholesteric liquid crystal polymer film selectively reflects or transmits circularly polarized light, optimizing light usage and reducing unwanted reflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a circular polarizer is used in OLED display, then ambient light reflection is reduced and contrast ratio is improved, but approximately 50% of emitted light is blocked leading to increased power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The circular polarizer is segmented into two separate functional layers: a linear polarizer layer and a quarter-wave plate layer. This segmentation allows the linear polarizer to selectively polarize light while the quarter-wave plate converts linear polarization to circular polarization, enabling reduced reflection without blocking 50% of emitted light as in traditional circular polarizers
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a new dimensional approach by adding the quarter-wave plate layer between the linear polarizer and the OLED emissive layer. This additional layer transforms the optical path from direct circular polarization to a two-step process (linear polarization then circular conversion), optimizing both reflection reduction and light transmission efficiency
2Illumination intensity
If blue reflecting layer is added to enhance transmission, then light transmission is improved, but reflectance of external light is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The linear polarizer is positioned to selectively affect specific polarization directions of external light, allowing blue light transmission while blocking reflected light from specific angles. This local quality approach targets specific wavelengths and polarization states rather than uniformly affecting all light
Solution Approach 2:
The linear polarizer acts as an intermediary layer between external light sources and the OLED display, selectively transmitting desired light while blocking harmful reflections. This intermediary function resolves the contradiction by mediating between transmission enhancement and reflection reduction
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively enhances light transmission and reduces ambient light reflections, thereby improving the contrast ratio and brightness of OLED displays without the need for additional emissive layers, while maintaining efficient power usage.
Implementation Method 1
a patterned or structured light reflecting polymer film, utilizing a cholesteric polymerizable liquid crystalline material to improve light transmission and reduce reflections
Implementation Method 2
a quarter wave plate, and a patterned or structured light reflecting polymer film
Data Source
AI summary
An optical component and a electro optical devices comprising the optical component. Further, a cholesteric polymerizable liquid crystalline (LC) material, preferably utilized in an optical component in accordance with the present invention, a process for the production of the cholesteric polymerizable LC material, a process to convert the cholesteric polymerizable material into a polymer film, a polymer film obtainable from the cholesteric polymerizable LC material, and the use of the polymer films in an optical component or device comprising a polymer film.