Microcavity characteristics analysis of micro-shuttered organic light-emitting diodes

Abstract

We demonstrated the control of the microcavity (MC) effect in micro-shuttered organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with the introduction of an Ag striped pattern (ASP) layer between the organic layer and the indium zinc oxide layer. The ASP electrodes demonstrated high flexibility, conductivity, and transmittance. The optical and electrical properties of the OLED devices with micro-scale patterned metal electrodes with varying thicknesses and uncovered (open) area:entire glass surface area ratios (open ratios, ORs) were analyzed. The ASP OLEDs demonstrated high color purity and narrowed emission spectra because of the MC effect, increased light extraction by modulating the OR of the micro-shutter structure, and adjustability of the viewing angle distortion by controlling the OR. The ASP OLEDs exhibited maximum efficiency at the OR of 0.3 (Ag thickness; t(Ag) = 15 nm) because of their optimum transmittance and conductivity. The viewing angle distortion decreased by approximately 60.3% with an increase in the OR from 0 to 0.7, as revealed by the changes in the color coordinates. The results showed that when deposited on flexible substrates, ASP electrodes can be used in flexible devices.