OLED Metal Coordination Complex Emitters for Vertical Dipole Outcoupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional OLEDs face challenges in achieving high efficiency due to limitations in emitter dipole orientation, leading to suboptimal light outcoupling and plasmon coupling, which affects overall performance.

Innovation Solution

Development of a metal coordination complex compound with a vertical dipole ratio (VDR) greater than 0.33, featuring specific emissive ligand properties such as spin density, natural transition orbital population, and ligand-centered character, to enhance light emission directionality and plasmon coupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional emitters are used in OLEDs, then device structure is simple, but light outcoupling efficiency is suboptimal and plasmon coupling is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structure simplicityVSAvoidlight outcoupling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the orientation parameter of emitter dipole moments from conventional random or horizontal orientation to vertical orientation (VDR > 0.33). This parameter change resolves the contradiction by enabling both simple device structure and improved light outcoupling efficiency, as vertically oriented dipoles couple more effectively with surface plasmons and extract light from the waveguide modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite emitter materials with specific molecular structures that combine vertical dipole orientation capability with OLED compatibility. These composite materials integrate multiple functional properties (vertical dipole moment, appropriate energy levels, and stability) to simultaneously achieve simple device architecture and high light outcoupling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional emitters with random dipole orientation are used, then material selection is easy, but plasmon coupling rate is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial selection flexibilityVSAvoidplasmon coupling rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies a quantitative parameter change: vertical dipole ratio (VDR) must exceed 0.33. This parameter constraint guides material selection while ensuring high plasmon coupling rates. The principle resolves the contradiction by providing clear selection criteria that balance material versatility with performance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by requiring specific molecular structural features (emissive ligands with particular spin density distributions and HOMO/LUMO orbital orientations) that create vertical dipole moments at the molecular level. This localized structural optimization enables high plasmon coupling rates while maintaining overall material selection flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 compound improves light outcoupling and plasmon coupling in OLEDs, enhancing efficiency and performance by aligning emitter dipole moments vertically, thereby increasing the rate of plasmon coupling and improving overall device efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

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

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 2

the compound has a vertical dipole ratio (VDR) > 0.33; The compound improves light outcoupling and plasmon coupling in OLEDs, enhancing efficiency and performance by aligning emitter dipole moments vertically

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDipole radiation:

Implementation Method 3

One application for phosphorescent emissive molecules is a full color display

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhosphorescence: Phosphorescence

Implementation Method 4

The compound improves light outcoupling and plasmon coupling in OLEDs, enhancing efficiency and performance by aligning emitter dipole moments vertically, thereby increasing the rate of plasmon coupling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface plasmon coupling:

Data Source

PatentEP4580378A1Organic electroluminescent materials and devices
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 UNIVERSAL DISPLAY CORP
  • EP4580378A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4580378A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4580378A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a metal coordination complex compound. The metal complex compound is capable of functioning as an emitter in an organic light emitting device (OLED) at room temperature, and has a vertical dipole ratio (VDR) greater than 0.33 in the OLED. Formulations, OLEDs, and consumer products including the same are also provided.