OLED Getter Electrode Moisture Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Organic electro-luminescence display (OLED) devices are prone to deterioration due to moisture and oxygen intrusion, leading to issues like black spots and reduced lifespan, as existing sealing methods are inadequate in completely shielding the organic light emission diode element.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a getter electrode made from materials like Ca or Ba, which is formed on the second electrode to remove moisture and oxygen, along with an auxiliary electrode to prevent oxidation and maintain stable electrical contact, enhancing the OLED device's reliability and lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the organic light emission diode element is sealed with a seal substrate and UV curing resin, then the device structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but moisture and oxygen still intrude gradually over time causing deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple sealing layers with different functions: a lower seal layer (UV curing resin) for structural sealing and an upper seal layer (inorganic material like silicon oxide or silicon nitride) for moisture and oxygen barrier protection. This composite sealing structure resolves the contradiction by maintaining manufacturing simplicity while significantly improving protection reliability against environmental degradation.
2Device complexity
If the organic light emission layer is exposed to moisture and oxygen, then the device structure remains simple, but black spots and dark pixels appear reducing display quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an inert protective environment by depositing inorganic seal layers (silicon oxide, silicon nitride) that form impermeable barriers against moisture and oxygen. These layers chemically resist environmental penetration, effectively creating a protective atmosphere around the organic light emission layer without requiring complex active purification systems, thus resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and protection effectiveness.
3Reliability
If getter electrodes are added to remove moisture and oxygen, then reliability and lifespan are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by incorporating getter electrodes that automatically absorb and remove moisture and oxygen intruding into the device over time. These getter electrodes (made from materials like calcium or barium) passively perform the function of maintaining internal atmosphere quality without requiring external power or control systems, thus improving reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the thickness, material composition, and positioning of getter electrodes to optimize their moisture and oxygen absorption capacity. By adjusting these parameters, the device achieves enhanced protection against environmental degradation without excessive increases in structural complexity or manufacturing difficulty.
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 solution effectively extends the OLED device's lifespan and reliability by preventing moisture and oxygen intrusion, reducing electrical contact defects, and maintaining stable light emission characteristics, as evident from improved luminous and lifespan characteristics compared to devices without these electrodes.
Implementation Method 1
a getter electrode, disposed on the auxiliary electrode, to remove at least one of moisture and oxygen
Implementation Method 2
The OLED devices are sealed with a seal substrate and a UV curing (or hardening) resin
Data Source
AI summary
An OLED device adapted to improve its life span and reliability is disclosed. The OLED device includes: a first electrode disposed on a substrate; an organic light emission layer disposed on the first electrode; a second electrode disposed on the organic light emission layer; an auxiliary electrode disposed on the second electrode; and a getter electrode, disposed on the auxiliary electrode, to remove at least one of moisture and oxygen.