OLED

(Organic Light Emitting Diode)

COSC 3P92 Seminar
Robin Colbourne #3539780
John Athanassiades #2712727
What is an OLED?

OLED - Organic Light Emitting Diode

An OLED is any light emitting diode (LED) which emissive

electroluminescent layer is 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 OLEDs
Passive OLEDs Active OLEDs
The organic layer is between Full layers of cathode and
strips of cathode and anode that anode
run perpendicular Anode over lays a thin film
The intersections form the pixels transistor (TFT)
Easy to make Requires less power
Use more power Higher refresh rates
Best for small screens Suitable for large screens
Current Research for OLEDs
Manufacturers focusing on finding a
cheap way to produce
o "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
Sony
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
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
OLED Displays Vs. LCD and Plasma
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 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 OLEDs
OLED 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 OLED
Lighting
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
Transparent Car Navigation System on Windshield
Using Samsungs' transparent OLED technology
Heads up display
GPS system

Scroll Laptop
Nokia concept OLED Laptop
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.sht
ml#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_lighti
ng_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