Structured Luminescence Conversion Layer for OLED Spectral Tuning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional uniform down-conversion layers in OLEDs offer limited flexibility in designing output spectra, restricting the compromise between efficiency and color rendering due to their fixed thickness and phosphor concentration.

Innovation Solution

A structured luminescence conversion layer with alternating color-changing and non-color-changing regions is applied over a transparent layer, allowing for greater flexibility in designing output spectra by adjusting the ratio of these regions, which absorb and emit light at different spectra, enhancing light extraction and color rendering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a uniform down-conversion layer with fixed thickness and phosphor concentration is used, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the flexibility in designing output spectra is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in designing output spectraVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The down-conversion layer is segmented into multiple regions with different phosphor concentrations and thicknesses. Each region can independently convert light to different wavelengths, enabling flexible spectral design. The segmentation allows the device to achieve multiple output spectra by controlling which regions are activated or by adjusting the relative contributions of each region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the down-conversion layer are assigned different local properties, specifically varying phosphor concentrations and thicknesses. This allows each region to have optimized characteristics for specific wavelength conversions, providing local spectral tuning capabilities while maintaining overall device functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Illumination intensity

If the phosphor concentration and layer thickness are increased to improve color rendering, then the color rendering index improves, but the light extraction efficiency decreases due to increased absorption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor rendering qualityVSAvoidlight extraction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The down-conversion layer is divided into multiple regions, each with optimized phosphor concentration and thickness for specific color conversions. This segmentation allows light to be converted to different wavelengths in different regions, improving overall color rendering while maintaining better light extraction efficiency by avoiding excessive absorption in any single region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The phosphor concentration and layer thickness parameters are varied across different regions of the down-conversion layer. By optimizing these parameters locally in each region, the device achieves improved color rendering index while minimizing energy loss through excessive absorption, as each region operates at optimal conversion efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enables precise tuning of the output spectra, improving both efficiency and color rendering by combining the non-absorbed and emitted light, offering a better compromise between these parameters compared to uniform layers.

Implementation Method 1

A color-changing material is defined herein as a material which absorbs photons related to lower wavelength(s) and which reemits all of them or a part of them

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

A color-changing material is defined herein as a material which absorbs photons related to lower wavelength(s) and which reemits all of them or a part of them (depending on the quantum yield of the color-changing material) at higher wavelength(s)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP1955376B1Structured luminescence conversion layer
Publication Date: 2013.04.10 OSRAM OPTO SEMICON GMBH & CO OHG
  • EP1955376B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1955376B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP1955376B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An apparatus device such as a light source is disclosed which has an OLED device and a structured luminescence conversion layer deposited on the substrate or transparent electrode of said OLED device and on the exterior of said OLED device. The structured luminescence conversion layer contains regions such as color-changing and non-color-changing regions with particular shapes arranged in a particular pattern.