OLED Evaporation Source Merging for Stable Co-Deposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity and cost of fabricating phosphorescent OLEDs with multiple components using the vacuum thermal evaporation process are increased due to the need for multiple evaporation sources, and achieving stable co-evaporation of materials with different evaporation temperatures is challenging, affecting device performance.

Innovation Solution

Premixing compounds with similar thermal evaporation properties and depositing them from a single sublimation crucible to simplify the manufacturing process and maintain consistent composition, reducing the number of evaporation sources required.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple evaporation sources are used to deposit different components, then the device performance can be optimized, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple evaporation sources into a single integrated evaporation source that can simultaneously deposit multiple components (host material, emitter, and auxiliary compounds) with different evaporation temperatures. This merging approach maintains the ability to optimize device performance through controlled composition while reducing manufacturing complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate evaporation sources and their associated alignment and control systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If materials with different evaporation temperatures are co-evaporated, then the film composition can be controlled, but achieving stable co-evaporation becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilm composition controlVSAvoidco-evaporation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes by incorporating temperature control mechanisms that independently regulate the evaporation temperature for each component within the integrated evaporation source. By dynamically adjusting temperature parameters for materials with different evaporation characteristics (host material, emitter, and auxiliary compounds), the system achieves stable co-evaporation while maintaining precise film composition control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary control system that coordinates the evaporation process of multiple materials with different temperatures. This intermediary mechanism monitors and balances the deposition rates of each component, ensuring stable co-evaporation and consistent film composition even when materials have significantly different evaporation temperature requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 allows for more control over the emission spectra and enhances the robustness of the OLED manufacturing process by ensuring uniform co-evaporation and consistent film composition, improving device efficiency and spectral characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

vacuum thermal evaporation (VTE) process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum thermal evaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

single sublimation crucible

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSublimation: Sublimation

Implementation Method 3

phosphorescent emissive molecules

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhosphorescence: Phosphorescence

Implementation Method 4

emit light when voltage is applied across the device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3425693B1Method for producing an organic light-emitting diode
Publication Date: 2023.04.26 UNIVERSAL DISPLAY CORP
  • EP3425693B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3425693B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3425693B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

A composition formed of a mixture of two components having similar thermal evaporation properties that are pre-mixed into an evaporation source that can be used to co-evaporate the two compounds into an emissive layer in OLEDs via vacuum thermal evaporation process is disclosed.