Thin Film Transistor Display Panel with Copper Data Lines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large screen display panels with high resolutions face increased interconnection resistive-capacitive (RC) delays due to thicker interconnections, leading to signal propagation issues and decreased picture quality, while the use of copper for interconnections can cause diffusion and deterioration of pixel elements.

Innovation Solution

A thin film transistor display panel design where gate and data lines are thicker than source and drain electrodes, using copper for data lines and titanium or molybdenum for electrodes, with link members and insulating layers to reduce RC delays and prevent material diffusion, allowing for smaller contact holes and higher pixel opening rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If interconnections are made thicker to reduce RC delays, then signal propagation improves, but copper diffusion causes deterioration of pixel elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal propagation speedVSAvoidcopper diffusion
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a barrier layer as an intermediary between the copper interconnection and the pixel elements. This barrier layer prevents copper diffusion into the pixel elements while allowing the copper interconnection to maintain its thick structure for reduced RC delays and improved signal propagation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite structure consisting of copper interconnection material combined with a barrier layer material. This composite approach allows the system to benefit from copper's high conductivity for fast signal propagation while the barrier layer component prevents harmful copper diffusion into adjacent pixel elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Area of moving object

If contact holes are made smaller to increase pixel opening rate, then display resolution improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepixel opening rateVSAvoidcontact hole precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters of the contact hole structure by using specific materials with appropriate etching characteristics and adhesion properties. This allows the contact holes to be made smaller with maintained manufacturing precision through optimized material selection and deposition parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2626739B1Thin film transistor display panel
Publication Date: 2019.01.23 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP2626739B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2626739B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2626739B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A thin film transistor display panel includes: a gate electrode (124), a source electrode (173h, 173c) and a drain electrode (175h, 175l, 175c) which are included in a thin film transistor on a substrate (110); a data line 171) connected to the source electrode; a pixel link member (171s, 171s1, 171s2)connecting the drain electrode to a pixel electrode; and a gate pad (122, 191p) connected to the gate electrode through a gate line (121) and including a first gate subpad (122), a second gate subpad (191p) and a gate pad link member (171s3), in which the pixel link member and the gate pad link member are substantially same in thickness.