Structured Layer for Organic Light Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiation-emitting organic components, such as organic light-emitting diodes, face inefficiencies in coupling out light due to waveguide effects and surface plasmons, leading to trapped radiation within the carrier body, which affects their performance and appearance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a structured layer with refractive index matching the carrier body and structures larger than the wavelength of emitted radiation, which refracts and scatters electromagnetic radiation, improving coupling-in and coupling-out efficiency, and using a high refractive index intermediate layer to reduce total internal reflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional smooth carrier body is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the coupling-out efficiency of electromagnetic radiation is poor due to waveguide effects and total internal reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the carrier body surface into multiple structured regions with different geometries (protrusions, recesses, patterns) to create diverse light extraction pathways. This segmentation breaks the uniform waveguide effect and enables more efficient coupling-out of electromagnetic radiation while maintaining manufacturability through standard patterning techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces surface structuring in the spatial dimension by creating protrusions and recesses on the carrier body surface. This dimensional modification changes the optical path of electromagnetic radiation, reducing total internal reflection and improving coupling-out efficiency without adding complex volumetric structures.
2Loss of energy
If a structured layer is added to the carrier body surface, then coupling-out efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the structural functions into the carrier body itself by integrating protrusions and recesses directly into the substrate geometry. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate structured layers or additional components, achieving enhanced coupling-out efficiency while minimizing device complexity through unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved surface geometries (protrusions, recesses, rounded patterns) instead of sharp angular structures. These curved features effectively scatter and extract light while being more amenable to standard manufacturing processes like spin coating, thermal reflow, or embossing, thus reducing overall device complexity.
3Loss of energy
If the structured layer uses refractive index matching material, then total internal reflection is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by selecting materials with naturally occurring refractive indices that match or closely approximate the active region materials. Common materials like PDMS (n≈1.41), cyclohexyl oligomer (n≈1.53), and toluene (n≈1.49) are chosen to match typical organic semiconductor and perovskite refractive indices, reducing total internal reflection without requiring ultra-precise manufacturing control.
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
Enhances the overall coupling-out efficiency of electromagnetic radiation, leading to a more efficient and cost-effective production of radiation-emitting organic components with improved emission characteristics and appearance.
Implementation Method 1
the structured layer comprises structures provided for refracting or scattering electromagnetic radiation generated in the active region during operation
Implementation Method 2
the structured layer comprises structures provided for refracting or scattering electromagnetic radiation generated in the active region during operation
Implementation Method 3
using a high refractive index intermediate layer to reduce total internal reflection
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a radiation-emitting, organic component comprising a radiation-permeable carrier body (1) having a first surface (1a) on a top side of the carrier body (1), a radiation-permeable, structured layer (2) that is arranged on the first surface (1a) and covers same at least in places, a radiation-permeable first electrode (3) that is arranged on the side of the structured layer (2) facing away from the carrier body (1), a layer stack (10) that is arranged on the side of the first electrode (3) facing away from the structured layer (2) and comprises an organic, active region, and a second electrode (6), wherein the active region (10a) can be electrically contacted via the first electrode (3) and the second electrode (6), the structured layer (2) is different from the radiation-permeable carrier body (1), and the structured layer (2) comprises structures (2a) for refracting and/or scattering electromagnetic radiation generated in the active region (100) during operation.