Electroluminescent Display Electrode Protection Against Etching Damage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electroluminescent display devices face issues with electrode damage during the patterning process for the 2-step bank structure, leading to pin holes and foreign matter contamination, which shorten the device's lifespan.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves forming a first electrode after patterning the first bank layer to prevent surface damage and using a second electrode with a damaged area covered by the first electrode to prevent pollutants from reaching the light emitting layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the first bank layer is patterned by wet etching process, then the 2-step bank structure is realized, but pin holes are generated in the surface of the electrode
Solution Approach 1:
A protective layer is formed on the electrode surface before the patterning process of the first bank layer. This protective layer prevents etching solutions from damaging the electrode surface during the wet etching process, thereby avoiding pin hole formation while still allowing the 2-step bank structure to be created.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective layer acts as an intermediary between the etching solution and the electrode surface. It allows the etching process to proceed on the bank layer while blocking the harmful effects of the etching solution from reaching the electrode, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing the bank structure and protecting the electrode.
2Ease of manufacture
If the first bank layer is patterned by dry etching process, then the 2-step bank structure is realized, but foreign matters are generated in the surface of the electrode
Solution Approach 1:
A protective layer is formed on the electrode surface before the dry etching process. This protective layer prevents foreign matters such as fluorine or sulfur from being generated on the electrode surface during dry etching, while still allowing the 2-step bank structure to be formed through the bank layer patterning.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective layer serves as an intermediary that blocks the interaction between the dry etching plasma and the electrode surface, preventing contamination by foreign matters while permitting the etching process to shape the bank layer into the desired 2-step structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If the light emitting layer is formed on the damaged electrode, then the device can be manufactured, but pollutants permeate into the light emitting layer shortening device lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
A second protective layer is formed between the damaged electrode and the light emitting layer. This second protective layer acts as a barrier that prevents pollutants and foreign matters from the damaged electrode surface from permeating into the light emitting layer, thereby extending device lifespan while still allowing the light emitting layer to be formed on the electrode.
Solution Approach 2:
The second protective layer is formed in advance before the light emitting layer is deposited, providing a protective barrier that cushions the light emitting layer from the damaged electrode surface, preventing contamination and extending device operational life.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an electroluminescent display device that may include a substrate, a first bank layer for defining a light-emission area on the substrate, a first electrode on the light-emission area of the substrate, and a light emitting layer on the first electrode, wherein an end of the first electrode faces an end of the first bank layer.