Stacked Organic Light-Emitting Diode with NP Conjunction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing organic light emitting devices face challenges in stabilizing the interface between electrodes and organic layers, leading to increased driving voltage and reduced performance due to energy barriers for hole injection, which limits material selection and affects charge transport efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A stacked organic light emitting diode structure with NP conjunction between n-type and p-type organic layers, where an n-type doped organic layer is interposed between light emitting units, reducing the energy barrier for hole injection and allowing for the use of various materials for electrodes, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and enhancing brightness and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional electrode interface structure is used, then the device structure is simple, but the energy barrier for hole injection is high and the interface is unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface stabilityVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into multiple functional segments: electrode, electron injection layer, electron transport layer, light emitting layer, and hole transport layer. Each layer has a specific function and is optimized independently, allowing the interface stability issue to be addressed at the electron injection layer without affecting the overall device structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An electron injection layer is introduced as an intermediary between the electrode and the electron transport layer. This intermediate layer serves as a buffer that stabilizes the interface and facilitates charge injection, resolving the instability problem without requiring complex structural modifications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If the energy level difference between electron/hole injection layer and adjacent organic layer is not controlled, then the device structure is simple, but the driving voltage is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving voltageVSAvoidmaterial selection
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The energy levels of the organic layers are systematically adjusted to achieve optimal charge injection. The electron transport layer is designed with LUMO level 2.0-3.5 eV and HOMO level 5.5-7.0 eV, while the hole transport layer is designed with LUMO level 2.5-4.0 eV and HOMO level 5.0-6.5 eV. These parameter optimizations reduce the driving voltage without complicating the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the device are assigned different energy level characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The electron transport layer has optimized LUMO levels for electron injection, while the hole transport layer has optimized HOMO levels for hole transport. This localized optimization reduces overall driving voltage while maintaining manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the charge carrier concentration in organic layer is low, then the material selection is wide, but the contact resistance is high and charge transport is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge transport efficiencyVSAvoidmaterial selection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The charge carrier concentration in the organic layers is optimized to achieve efficient charge transport. By adjusting doping concentrations and selecting materials with appropriate mobility characteristics, the contact resistance is reduced while maintaining a wide range of material selection for manufacturing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The successful interface structure and energy level configuration are replicated between the electron and hole transport layers. This copying of the optimized architecture ensures consistent charge transport efficiency across different parts of the device without requiring entirely new material selections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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 NP conjunction structure lowers the energy barrier for hole injection, improves charge transport, and allows for high brightness and low driving voltage operation, enabling efficient charge balancing and increased light emitting efficiency across multiple light emitting units without the need for additional conductive layers.

Implementation Method 1

A stacked organic light emitting diode structure with NP conjunction between n-type and p-type organic layers, where an n-type doped organic layer is interposed between light emitting units, reducing the energy barrier for hole injection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPN junction charge generation:

Implementation Method 2

The organic light emitting device converts a current into visible rays by injecting electrons and holes from two electrodes into the organic layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP2299786B1Stacked organic light-emitting diode
Publication Date: 2014.03.26 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP2299786B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2299786B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP2299786B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

The present invention provides a stacked organic light emitting diode that comprises a first electrode; a second electrode; and at least two light emitting units that are located between the first electrode and the second electrode. The light emitting unit satisfies the following energy relation equation, and includes an n-type organic layer and a p-type organic layer that form NP conjunction, and also includes an n-type doped organic layer that is located between the light emitting units: Ep⁢H-EnL≤1⁢eV wherein EnL is a LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) energy level of the n-type organic layer and EpH is a HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital) energy level of the p-type organic layer.