Transparent Electrode Merging for Display Contact Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active matrix display devices face challenges with contact resistance between drain/source electrodes and pixel electrodes, and the increasing number of masks used in manufacturing leads to higher costs.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves forming the drain/source electrode in the same layer as the pixel electrode, with a low-resistant conductive layer over the signal line, and using a reduced number of masks in the manufacturing process, such as electroplating or droplet-discharge methods, to eliminate contact resistance and reduce manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drain electrode (or source electrode) and pixel electrode are formed in separate layers with contact interfaces, then the manufacturing process can be simplified, but contact resistance occurs between the electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drain electrode (or source electrode) and pixel electrode into the same conductive layer, eliminating the contact interface between them. This is achieved by forming both electrodes from the same transparent conductive film through selective etching, thereby removing contact resistance while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent conductive film serves multiple functions: it forms both the drain electrode (or source electrode) and the pixel electrode, and also provides signal transmission. This multi-functionality reduces the number of layers and interfaces, eliminating contact resistance while simplifying the overall structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If the number of masks used in manufacturing is increased to achieve precise electrode patterns, then manufacturing precision improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the formation of drain electrode (or source electrode) and pixel electrode into a single masking step. By using one mask to define both electrode regions in the same transparent conductive layer, the process achieves precise patterning while reducing mask count and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
A single mask layer serves multiple purposes: it defines the pattern for both the drain electrode (or source electrode) and pixel electrode simultaneously. This multi-functional masking approach maintains manufacturing precision while reducing process complexity and cost.
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 eliminates contact resistance between the electrodes and reduces wiring resistance, while minimizing the number of masks used in the manufacturing process, thereby enhancing display characteristics and lowering production costs.
Implementation Method 1
electroplating or droplet-discharge methods
Data Source
AI summary
A display device free of contact resistance between a drain electrode (or a source electrode) and a pixel electrode. The display device includes a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer covering the gate electrode, a semiconductor layer formed over the gate insulating layer, and a source electrode and a drain electrode separated from each other and in partial-contact with and over the semiconductor layer, and one of the source electrode and the drain electrode also serves as a pixel electrode, the other of the source electrode and the drain electrode also serves as a signal line, and a low resistant conductive layer is preferably formed over the other of the source electrode and the drain electrode. The low resistant conductive layer can be formed by an electroplating method or the like.