MLI Light Blocking Features for OLED Stray Light Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
OLED displays face issues with stray light, which limits their dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast ratio by affecting control transistors and impacting light emission, necessitating effective stray light prevention mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a multi-layer interconnect (MLI) structure with routing features and light blocking features, along with light absorbing layers such as low reflectance or anti-reflective layers, to prevent stray light from reaching control transistors, enhancing the stability of the display device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If OLED displays are used to achieve high integration density and advanced display performance, then display quality is improved, but stray light affects control transistors which degrades dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light blocking features and light absorbing layers as intermediary elements between the luminous device layer and control transistors. These intermediaries intercept and block stray light before it reaches the control transistors, thereby protecting the transistors while maintaining display performance. The light blocking features are integrated into the multi-layer interconnect structure, creating an effective barrier without compromising the electrical connectivity function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the interconnect structure by integrating light blocking features and light absorbing layers into the multi-layer interconnect (MLI) structure. This segmentation allows the interconnect structure to simultaneously perform electrical connectivity and stray light blocking functions. The light blocking features are disposed at specific locations within the MLI structure where they can effectively intercept stray light paths without interfering with routing functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If light blocking features are integrated into the multi-layer interconnect structure to block stray light, then stray light prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light blocking function with the existing multi-layer interconnect structure by integrating light blocking features and light absorbing layers into the MLI. This combining approach allows the same structural elements to serve dual purposes: maintaining electrical connectivity through routing features while simultaneously blocking stray light through the integrated light blocking features. This reduces the need for separate light blocking components and minimizes overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-layer interconnect structure is designed to be multi-functional, serving both electrical connectivity and stray light blocking purposes. The routing features provide electrical pathways while the integrated light blocking features and light absorbing layers provide optical protection. This universality allows a single structure to fulfill multiple functions, thereby avoiding the need for additional separate components and reducing overall device complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If light absorbing layers such as low reflectance or anti-reflective layers are added to the MLI structure, then stray light absorption is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs light absorbing layers with specific optical parameters (low reflectance, anti-reflective properties) that can be achieved through standard thin film deposition techniques. By selecting materials and layer configurations that provide the desired optical characteristics through parameter optimization rather than complex structural designs, the manufacturing process remains compatible with existing semiconductor fabrication capabilities while achieving effective stray light absorption.
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 implementation effectively blocks stray light, thereby enhancing the stability and performance of OLED displays by preventing its impact on control transistors, improving the dynamic range and contrast ratio.
Implementation Method 1
The light blocking features are not electrically connected with the routing features and are operable to block stray light generated by the luminous device layer
Implementation Method 2
The MLI structure may further include at least one light absorbing layer operable to absorb the stray light
Implementation Method 3
In some implementations, the at least one light absorbing layer includes at least one low reflectance layer comprising a material characterized by a relatively low reflectance
Data Source
AI summary
A display device and method of manufacturing thereof is provided. The display device includes: a substrate; a plurality of control transistors disposed in the substrate; a multi-layer interconnect (MLI) structure on the substrate; and a luminous device layer disposed on the MLI structure. The luminous device layer includes a plurality of sub-pixels corresponding to the plurality of control transistors, respectively. The MLI structure includes a plurality of routing features and at least one light blocking feature, and the plurality of routing features electrically connect each of the plurality of control transistors to the corresponding sub-pixel, and the at least one light blocking feature is operable to block stray light generated by the luminous device layer.