Micro LED Insulating Film Structure for Afterimage Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Display devices using light emitting elements suffer from afterimages and response delays due to surface defects and defects in semiconductor layers, particularly in small diameter elements.

Innovation Solution

A light emitting element with a specific structure including a first semiconductor layer doped with an n-type dopant, a second semiconductor layer doped with a p-type dopant, an active layer, and an insulating film with multiple layers such as AlN, ZrO2, and Al2O3, which minimizes surface defects through a sol-gel process, ensuring rapid luminance changes and reduced afterimages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If the diameter of the light emitting element is reduced to achieve higher pixel density, then the display resolution is improved, but surface defects and semiconductor layer defects increase causing afterimages and response delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediameter of light emitting elementVSAvoidafterimage reduction and response time
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a multi-layer insulating film structure with different materials (silicon oxide, silicon nitride, aluminium nitride) and thicknesses at different locations. The first insulating film has a first layer and second layer with different compositions, and the second insulating film has a third layer and fourth layer, where each layer is optimized for specific local requirements of the small diameter light emitting element structure to prevent defects and reduce afterimages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining multiple insulating film layers made of different materials (silicon oxide, silicon nitride, aluminium nitride) with varying thicknesses. This composite structure provides enhanced protection against surface defects and semiconductor layer defects while maintaining the small diameter of the light emitting element, thereby reducing afterimages and improving response time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If a simple insulating film structure is used to reduce manufacturing complexity, then the device complexity is reduced, but surface defects are not adequately minimized leading to afterimages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulating film structureVSAvoidsurface defect minimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the insulating film into multiple distinct layers: a first insulating film with a first layer and second layer, and a second insulating film with a third layer and fourth layer. Each layer serves specific functions in minimizing surface defects, and this segmented structure is particularly effective for small diameter light emitting elements to prevent afterimages while maintaining manufacturability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 reduces afterimages and response delays by minimizing surface defects, allowing for rapid luminance adjustments and improved electrical and optical characteristics, even in small diameter elements.

Implementation Method 1

an insulating film with multiple layers such as AlN, ZrO2, and Al2O3, which minimizes surface defects through a sol-gel process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSol-gel process: Sol

Implementation Method 2

a light emitting element having reduced afterimages when emitting light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP4669063A1Light emitting element and display device including the same
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP4669063A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4669063A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4669063A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A light emitting element includes a first semiconductor layer doped with an n-type dopant, a second semiconductor layer disposed on the first semiconductor layer and doped with a p-type dopant, an active layer between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, an electrode layer disposed on the second semiconductor layer, and an insulating film surrounding an outer surface of at least the active layer. A diameter of the first semiconductor layer is in a range of about 0.5 µm to about 10 µm, and the insulating film includes a first layer surrounding the first semiconductor layer, the second semiconductor layer, and the active layer and a second layer disposed on the first layer and including aluminium nitride (AlN).