OLED Emissive Layer Co-evaporation via Single-Source Deposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technologies face challenges in achieving stable co-evaporation of multiple components for emissive layers, which complicates the fabrication process and can affect device performance due to variations in film composition.

Innovation Solution

Development of a compound with a specific structure (Formula I) and its variations, which can be stably co-evaporated with another compound (Formula III), allowing for a single-source deposition that maintains consistent composition and improves OLED device performance by reducing the number of evaporation sources required.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple components are co-evaporated for emissive layers, then device performance can be improved through composition tuning, but fabrication process complexity increases and composition consistency becomes difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice performanceVSAvoidfabrication process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple evaporation sources into a single integrated source that can deliver multiple components (host, guest, and auxiliary materials) simultaneously. This merging approach maintains the performance benefits of multi-component emissive layers while eliminating the complexity of coordinating multiple separate evaporation sources, directly resolving the contradiction between device performance and fabrication complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a universal evaporation source capable of delivering multiple different materials with varying properties through a single device. This multi-functional source can be programmed to emit different compounds in specific ratios, providing both the composition flexibility needed for high performance and the simplified single-source operation that reduces fabrication complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple evaporation sources are used for co-evaporation, then composition flexibility is improved, but manufacturing precision and composition consistency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomposition flexibilityVSAvoidcomposition consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the deposition process in real-time and adjust the evaporation rates of different components accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that the intended composition ratios are maintained throughout the deposition process, preserving both composition flexibility and manufacturing precision simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention dynamically adjusts evaporation parameters (temperature, pressure, deposition rate) during the fabrication process to maintain consistent composition. By controlling these parameters through a single integrated source rather than multiple independent sources, the system achieves both composition flexibility and manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple evaporation sources are used, then material selection is improved, but fabrication time and process complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial selectionVSAvoidfabrication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple material delivery functions into a single evaporation source, allowing diverse material selection while reducing fabrication time. The unified source can switch between different materials and adjust deposition rates without the setup time and coordination delays associated with multiple separate sources, thereby improving both material versatility and fabrication efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 stable co-evaporation of these compounds simplifies the fabrication process and enhances OLED device efficiency and lifetime by maintaining consistent composition throughout the deposition process, leading to improved luminance efficiency and extended lifetime.

Implementation Method 1

stable co-evaporation of these compounds simplifies the fabrication process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

single-source deposition that maintains consistent composition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical Vapour Deposition: Physical Vapour Deposition

Implementation Method 3

OLEDs make use of thin organic films that emit light when voltage is applied across the device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3043398B1Organic electroluminescent materials and devices
Publication Date: 2018.04.04 UNIVERSAL DISPLAY CORP
  • EP3043398B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3043398B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3043398B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A compound having a structure of Formula I: is disclosed. In the structure of Formula 1: X is selected from a group consisting of O, S and Se; G2 and G3 are each independently selected from benzene, biphenyl, fluorene, naphthalene, phenanthrene, tripheylene, dibenzofuran, dibenzothiophene, dibenzoselenophene, pyridine, pyrimidine, quinoline, isoquinoline, phenanthroline, aza-fluorene, and combinations thereof; L is selected from phenyl, biphenyl, terphenyl and pyridine, and combinations thereof; G2, G3 and L are each optionally further substituted with one or more unfused substituents; R1, R2, and each R3, R4, R5 and R6 are an unfused substituent selected from hydrogen, deuterium, alkyl, alkoxyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkoxyl, halogen, nitro, nitrile, silyl, benzene, biphenyl, terphenyl, pyridine, and combinations thereof; and R1 and R2 are optionally joined to form a ring. Formulations and devices, such as an OLEDs, that include the compound of Formula I, and, optionally a co-host, are also described.