OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode)

Dipesh KumarElectronic and Communication

Engineering2011 Batch Group

NCIT

What is an OLED?

OLED - Organic Light Emitting Diode

An OLED is any light emitting diode (LED) An OLED is any light emitting diode (LED) which emissive electroluminescent layer is which emissive electroluminescent layer is composed of a film of organic compounds.composed of a film of organic compounds.

History of OLEDs• First developed in the early 1950s in France• Early technology would emmite a short burst of light when a

voltage was applied• This early form applied high-voltage alternating current field to

crystalline thin films of acridine orange and quinacrine. • 1960s - AC-driven electroluminescent cells

using doped anthracene was developed• In a 1977 paper, Shirakawa et al. Reported

high conductivity in similarly oxidized and iodine-doped polyacetylene.  

• In 1987 Chin Tang and Van Slyke introduced the first light emitting diodes from thin organic layers. 

• In 1990 electroluminescence in polymers was discovered. 

Architecture of OLEDs• Substrate (clear plastic, glass, foil) - The substrate supports the OLED. • Anode (transparent) - The anode removes electrons (adds electron "holes")

when a current flows through the device.

• Organic layer: o Conducting layer - This layer is made of

organic plastic molecules that transport "holes" from the anode. One conducting polymer used in OLEDs is polyaniline.

o Emissive layer - This layer is made of organic plastic molecules (different ones from the conducting layer) that transport electrons from the cathode; this is where light is made. One polymer used in the emissive layer is polyfluorene.

 

• Cathode (may or may not be transparent depending on the type of OLED) - The cathode injects electrons when a current flows through the device.

Types of OLEDsPassive OLEDs• The organic layer is between

strips of cathode and anode that run perpendicular

• The intersections form the pixels•  Easy to make• Use more power• Best for small screens

Active OLEDs• Full layers of cathode and

anode•  Anode over lays a thin film

transistor (TFT)• Requires less power• Higher refresh rates• Suitable for large screens

Current Research for OLEDs• Manufacturers focusing on finding a

cheap way to produceo "Roll-to-Roll" Manufacturing

• Increasing efficiency of blue luminance         • Boosting overall lifespan

Applications of OLEDs

• TVs• Cell Phone screens • Computer Screens• Keyboards (Optimus Maximus)• Lights• Portable Divice displays

OLEDs as a Light Source

OLED Televisions

• Released XEL-1 in February 2009. • First OLED TV sold in stores.• 11'' screen, 3mm thin• $2,500 MSRP • Weighs approximately 1.9 kg • Wide 178 degree viewing angle• 1,000,000:1 Contrast ratio

Sony

Optimus Maximus Keyboard

• Small OLED screen on every key• 113 OLED screens total• Each key can be programmed to

preform a series of functions • Keys can be linked to applications• Display notes, numerals, special

symbols, HTML codes, etc...• SD card slot for storing settings

Advantages of OLEDs

• Much faster response time• Consume significantly less energy • Able to display "True Black" picture • Wider viewing angles• Thinner display• Better contrast ratio• Safer for the environment• Has potential to be mass produced inexpensively• OLEDs refresh almost 1,000 times faster then LCDs

OLED Displays Vs. LCD and Plasma

OLED Lighting Vs. Incandescent and Fluorescent  • Cheaper way to create flexible lighting• Requires less power • Better quality of light (ie. no "Cold Light")• New design concepts for interior lighting

Disadvantages of OLEDsOLED Displays Vs. LCD and Plasma• Cost to manufacture is high• Overall luminance degradation• Constraints with lifespan • Easily damaged by water• Limited market availability

       OLED Lighting Vs. Incandescent and Fluorescent • Not as easy as changing a light bulb

 

Future Uses for OLEDLighting• Flexible / bendable lighting• Wallpaper lighting defining new ways to light a space• Transparent lighting doubles as a window

 Cell Phones• Nokia 888

    

Future Uses for OLED

It may only be 4" across (diagonally) and 320x240 pixels at the moment but this flexible transparent OLED display has massive implications for how we use and interact with technology in the future.

4" flexible transparent OLED from LG

Future Uses for OLEDTransparent Car Navigation System on Windshield• Using Samsungs' transparent OLED technology• Heads up display • GPS system 

   Scroll Laptop• Nokia concept OLED Laptop

   

OLED Technology

References• http://impnerd.com/the-history-and-future-of-oled• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_light-emitting_diode• http://www.oled-research.com/oleds/oleds-history.html• http://www.voidspace.org.uk/technology/

top_ten_phone_techs.shtml#keep-your-eye-on-flexible-displays-coming-soon

• http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news.phtml/23150/24174/samsung-say-oled-not-ready.phtml

• http://www.cepro.com/article/study_future_bright_for_oled_lighting_market/

• http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/21116/page1/ • http://optics.org/cws/article/industry/37032 • http://jalopnik.com/5154953/samsung-transparent-oled-display-

pitched-as-automotive-hud

Thank You

Dipesh Kumar

dipesh@asia.com

NCIT