OLED Detection Patterns for Pattern Formation Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in organic light emitting display apparatuses is the difficulty in forming precise thin layer patterns, which affects the resolution and electrical characteristics, and there is a need for a method to inspect these patterns effectively.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves an organic light emitting display apparatus with a substrate having a display area and a non-display area, where detection patterns made of the same material as the electrodes are formed over the non-display area, allowing for the application of an electric current to measure potential differences and identify any defects in the pattern formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sizes of the patterns of the thin layers are reduced to increase resolution, then the resolution is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming detection patterns before the final electrode patterns during the manufacturing process. These detection patterns serve as test structures that allow inspection of pattern formation quality before committing to the final device structure, enabling early detection and correction of manufacturing issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection patterns are created as copies of the intended electrode patterns using the same material and formation process. By creating these test copies in the non-display area, the patent enables verification of pattern formation precision without affecting the functional display area, thus resolving the contradiction between small feature sizes and manufacturing precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If detection patterns are added to inspect pattern formation, then the manufacturing precision can be verified, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the inspection function from the main device structure by placing detection patterns exclusively in the non-display area. This separation allows the detection patterns to be removed or ignored in final product versions without affecting the functional display area, thus adding verification capability while minimizing impact on device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection patterns serve multiple functions: they act as both structural test elements for verifying pattern formation precision and as potential functional elements if needed. By designing them with the same material and structure as the electrodes, they can serve as backup or alternative structures, thus justifying their inclusion without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
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
This approach enables easy inspection and improvement of electrical characteristics by identifying and potentially correcting defects in the pattern formation, thereby enhancing the overall performance and image quality of the organic light emitting display apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
applying an electric current between first and second ends of each of the detection patterns to measure a potential difference between the first and second ends
Data Source
AI summary
An organic light emitting display apparatus includes: a substrate on which a display area and a non-display area are defined; a first electrode disposed over the display area; an intermediate layer that is disposed over the first electrode and includes an organic emissive layer; a second electrode disposed over the intermediate layer; and a plurality of detection patterns displaced over the non-display area, each of which includes a first electrically conductive pattern layer formed of the same material as the first electrode and a second electrically conductive pattern layer that is formed over the first electrically conductive pattern layer.