Display Substrate Mesh Auxiliary Cathodes for Uniform OLED Brightness

The patent merges the auxiliary cathode structure with the existing transparent cathode by forming both on the same transparent conductive layer through a single patterning process. This integration approach reduces manufacturing complexity while achieving the desired display uniformity, as the auxiliary cathodes are not added as separate layers but are combined with the existing cathode structure.

The patent segments the cathode into multiple regions including first auxiliary cathodes, second auxiliary cathodes, and main cathodes, arranged in a mesh-like pattern. This segmentation allows current to be distributed more evenly across the display area, reducing voltage drops and improving display uniformity without requiring a single large cathode structure that would be more complex to manufacture.

By merging the auxiliary cathodes with the existing transparent cathode layer, the patent reduces the total number of patterning steps and material depositions required. This integrated approach minimizes the number of manufacturing cycles, thereby reducing the cumulative risk of damage during repeated processing while achieving the same electrical performance benefits.

The transparent conductive layer serves multiple functions: it acts as both the main cathode and the auxiliary cathodes simultaneously. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate auxiliary cathode layers, reducing manufacturing steps and associated damage risks while maintaining the voltage drop reduction benefit.

The cathode is segmented into multiple functional regions (first auxiliary cathodes, second auxiliary cathodes, main cathodes) arranged in a systematic mesh-like pattern. While this creates a complex pattern, the segmentation is achieved through standard photolithography patterning steps that are already part of the manufacturing process, thus not increasing manufacturing complexity despite the intricate pattern design.

The patent utilizes the planar dimension extensively by creating a mesh-like two-dimensional pattern of auxiliary cathodes across the substrate. This approach distributes the complexity across the surface area rather than adding vertical layers, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving the desired electrical performance through in-plane pattern design.