OLED Auxiliary Electrode for Transparent Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Top-emitting AMOLED devices face challenges in forming effective ohmic contacts due to the thinness of metal transparent electrodes, which can lead to open circuits or oxidation, and the use of transparent conducting oxides (TCO) results in poor conductivity, affecting uniform light emission.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an auxiliary metal electrode inside the pixel defining structure, electrically coupled to the transparent electrode, ensures consistent conductivity by maintaining electrical connection even under pressure, using a configuration where the auxiliary electrode is disposed inside the pixel structure and the transparent electrode covers it, ensuring reliable contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a thin metal transparent electrode is used, then the transparency of the electrode is improved, but the conductivity is worsened leading to open circuits or oxidation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a transparent conducting oxide layer (first electrode) with a metal auxiliary electrode to form a composite electrode structure. The TCO layer provides transparency while the metal auxiliary electrode provides high conductivity, resolving the contradiction between transparency and conductivity by integrating two materials with complementary properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent conducting oxide layer acts as an intermediary between the metal auxiliary electrode and the light emitting layer. It allows the metal electrode to provide conductivity while the TCO layer maintains transparency and provides electrical connection to the light emitting layer, mediating between the conflicting requirements of metal conductivity and TCO transparency.
2Reliability
If pressure is applied to the device, then the contact between thin metal electrode and substrate is worsened, but the device needs to maintain electrical connection
Solution Approach 1:
The composite electrode structure with metal auxiliary electrode provides robust electrical connection that is less sensitive to pressure. The metal layer's high conductivity and mechanical properties compensate for potential contact issues under pressure, maintaining reliable electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure is designed with the auxiliary electrode extending through the pixel defining structure to ensure pre-established electrical connection paths that are resilient to pressure-induced contact failures. This redundant connection path cushions against pressure-related contact issues.
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided an OLED device, a manufacturing method thereof, and a display apparatus. The OLED device includes: a first substrate; at least one auxiliary electrode disposed on the first substrate; a pixel defining structure disposed on the first substrate; and a plurality of light emitting units disposed on the first substrate. Each light emitting unit includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a light emitting layer, and the first electrode is located on a side of the second electrode distal to the first substrate, and the light emitting layer is located between the first electrode and the second electrode. The auxiliary electrode is disposed inside the pixel defining structure and electrically coupled to the first electrode.