Organic light emitting diode display device and method of fabricating the same
10547017 ยท 2020-01-28
Assignee
Inventors
- Young-Mi Kim (Incheon, KR)
- Jong-Geun Yoon (Gyeonggi-Do, KR)
- Joon-Young HEO (Seoul, KR)
- Han-Sun Park (Gyeonggi-Do, KR)
- Eui-Doo Do (Gyeonggi-Do, KR)
- Yeon-Kyeong Lee (Gyeonggi-Do, KR)
- Dae-Hyun Kim (Seoul, KR)
- Jong-Sik Shim (Seoul, KR)
Cpc classification
H10K71/00
ELECTRICITY
H01L33/62
ELECTRICITY
H10K59/353
ELECTRICITY
H01L33/20
ELECTRICITY
H10K50/828
ELECTRICITY
International classification
Abstract
In an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device and a method for fabricating the same, OLED pixels are patterned through a photolithography process, so a large area patterning can be performed and a fine pitch can be obtained, and an organic compound layer can be protected by forming a buffer layer of a metal oxide on an upper portion of the organic compound layer or patterning the organic compound layer by using a cathode as a mask, improving device efficiency. In addition, among red, green, and blue pixels, two pixels are patterned through a lift-off process and the other remaining one is deposited to be formed without patterning, the process can be simplified and efficiency can be increased.
Claims
1. A method for fabricating an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device, the method comprising: (a) forming a first electrode on a substrate; (b) applying a photosensitive resin to the entire surface of the substrate to form a first photosensitive resin layer; (c) selectively exposing and developing the first photosensitive resin layer to form a first photosensitive resin pattern made of the photosensitive resin at a position other than a position where a first light emitting layer is to be formed; (d) depositing a thin film for a first hole injection layer, a thin film for a first hole transport layer, a first organic film, a thin film for a first electron transport layer, and a thin film for a first buffer layer in a state in which the first photosensitive resin pattern remains; (e) removing the thin film for the first hole injection layer, the thin film for the first hole transport layer, the first organic film, the thin film for the first electron transport layer, and the thin film for the first buffer layer deposited on an upper portion of the first photosensitive resin pattern together with the first photosensitive resin pattern through a lift-off process to form the first hole injection layer, the first hole transport layer, the first light emitting layer, the first electron transport layer, and the first buffer layer, which are formed of the thin film for the first hole injection layer, the thin film for the first hole transport layer, the first organic film, the thin film for the first electron transport layer, and the thin film for the first buffer layer, respectively, on the substrate; (f) forming a second hole injection layer, a second hole transport layer, a second light emitting layer, a second electron transport layer, and a second buffer layer through the same processes as (b) to (e); (g) forming a third hole injection layer, a third hole transport layer, a third light emitting layer, a third electron transport layer, and a third buffer layer through the same processes as (b) to (e); and (h) forming a second electrode on the first, second, and third buffer layers, wherein the first, second, and third buffer layers are made of a metal oxide.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third buffer layers are made of a 1-2 Group and 12-16 Group metal oxide or 3-12 Group transition metal oxide.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first light emitting layer is formed of any one of red, green, and blue light emitting layers.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the second light emitting layer is formed of another one of the red, green, and blue light emitting layers.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the third light emitting layer is formed of the other remaining one of the red, green, and blue light emitting layers.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second electrode includes first, second, and third patterns respectively formed on the first, second, and third buffer layers.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(12) Hereinafter, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device and a method for fabricating the same according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings such that they can be easily implemented by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. The present invention may be implemented in various forms without being limited to the embodiments described herein. Patterning of a large area with respect to an organic compound layer of an OLED display device cannot be handled by an existing method using a fine metal mask due to sagging of a substrate and a mask, so various large area patterning methods have been researched. Among them, the present invention proposes a patterning method through a photolithography process (referred to as a photo process, hereinafter), and here, the photo process is advantageous in that it is available for large area patterning and obtaining a fine pitch, and available for an application of a solution process.
(13)
(14) Here, a method for fabricating an OLED with respect to a pixel including 2T1C (two transistors and one capacitor) is taken as an example for the description purpose, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
(15) First, although not shown, in an OLED display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a gate line including a first gate electrode and a storage electrode including a second gate electrode may be formed on a substrate 110 made of an insulating material such as transparent glass, plastic, or the like.
(16) A gate insulating layer made of silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiO.sub.2), or the like, may be formed on the gate line including the first gate electrode and the storage electrode including the second electrode.
(17) A first active layer and a second active layer, made of semiconductor, may be formed on the gate insulating layer. The first active layer and the second active layer may be positioned on the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode, respectively.
(18) A data line, a driving voltage line, a first source/drain electrode, and a second source/drain electrode may be formed on an upper portion of the first active layer and the second active layer.
(19) A predetermined passivation layer may be formed on the substrate 110 on which the data line, the driving voltage line, the first source/drain electrode, and the second source/drain electrode have been formed.
(20) As shown in
(21) The pixel electrode 120 as an anode may be electrically connected to the second drain electrode through a second contact hole, and the connecting electrode may electrically connect the first drain electrode and the second gate electrode through a first contact hole and a third contact hole.
(22) A partition (not shown) may be formed on the substrate 110 with the pixel electrode 120 formed thereon. Here, the partition may encompass the edges of the pixel electrode 120, like a bank, to define an opening, and may be made of an organic insulating material or an inorganic insulating material.
(23) An organic compound layer may be formed on the substrate 110.
(24) Here, the organic compound layer may have a multilayer structure including an auxiliary layer in order to enhance luminous efficiency of a light emitting layer that emits light, besides the light emitting layer. The auxiliary layer may include an electron transport layer and a hole transport layer for balancing electrons and holes and an electron injection layer and a hole injection layer for strengthening injection of electrons and holes.
(25) The organic compound layer may be formed through a photo process and a lift-off process, and to this end, as shown in
(26) Here, the first organic film 151 may be deposited after the hole injection layer and the hole transport layer are formed on the substrate 110, and here, the first organic film 151 may be deposited to form a red, green, or blue light emitting layer.
(27) The hole injection layer may facilitate injection of holes from the pixel electrode 120, and the hole transport layer serves to allow holes to be transported to the light emitting layer.
(28) Thereafter, as shown in
(29) Ultraviolet rays are selectively irradiated (exposure) to the first photosensitive resin layer 191 through a certain mask (not shown).
(30) Thereafter, when the first photosensitive resin layer 191 exposed through the mask is developed, a first photosensitive resin pattern 190a made of the photosensitive resin remains only at a position where a first light emitting layer is to be formed as shown in
(31) A photosensitive resin developing solution is used for the developing operation, and here, any developing solution may be used as long as it does not dissolve a material of the light emitting layer. For example, a generally used organic alkali-based developing solution may be used, or an inorganic alkali-based developing solution or an aqueous solution capable of developing resist may be used.
(32) Thereafter, as shown in
(33) Here, for example, the first light emitting layer 150a may be a red light emitting layer, and the etching may include wet etching as well as dry etching. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and the first light emitting layer 150a may be a red or blue light emitting layer.
(34) Thereafter, as shown in
(35) A follow-up process is substantially the same as the first photo process for forming the first light emitting layer 150a. Namely, as shown in
(36) Thereafter, UV rays are selectively irradiated to the second photosensitive resin layer 192 through a certain mask (not shown).
(37) Thereafter, when the second photosensitive resin layer 192 exposed through the mask is developed, a second photosensitive resin pattern 190b made of the photosensitive resin remains only at a position where a second light emitting layer is to be formed as shown in
(38) Thereafter, as shown in
(39) Here, for example, the second emitting layer 150b may be a green light emitting layer, and the etching may include wet etching as well as dry etching. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and when the first light emitting layer 150a is a red light emitting layer, the second light emitting layer 150b may be a blue light emitting layer, other than a green light emitting layer.
(40) Thereafter, as shown in
(41) As a follow-up process, a lift-off process, rather than a photo process such as the first and second photo processes as described above, is used. Namely, as shown in
(42) As a result, a third light emitting layer 150c formed of the third organic film is formed between the first light emitting layer 150a and the second light emitting layer 150b.
(43) Here, for example, when the first light emitting layer 150a is a red light emitting layer and the second light emitting layer 150b is a green light emitting layer, the third light emitting layer 150c may be a blue light emitting layer. Also, when the first light emitting layer 150a is a red light emitting layer and the second light emitting layer 150b is a blue light emitting layer, the third light emitting layer 150c may be a green light emitting layer. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and the first light emitting layer 150a, the second light emitting layer 150b, and the third light emitting layer 150c may be configured as red, green, and blue light emitting layers irrespective of order.
(44) Thereafter, as shown in
(45) Here, the foregoing common electrode 180 may be formed after the electron transport layer and the electron injection layer are formed on the substrate 110.
(46) The electron injection layer facilitates injection of electrons from the common electrode 180, and the electron transport layer serves to allow electrons to move to the light emitting layers 150a, 150b, and 150c.
(47) In this manner, in the case of the first embodiment of the present invention, since a single photo process, namely, a single photosensitive resin coating, exposing, developing, and etching process (a total of four processes) may be omitted, and thus, the process can be simplified. Also, since OLED pixels are patterned through the photo process, large patterning can be performed and high pitch can be obtained, and in addition, a solution process can be performed.
(48) In the OLED display device configured as described above, the first gate electrode connected to the gate line and the first source electrode and the first drain electrode connected to the data line may constitute a first switching thin film transistor (TFT) along with the first active layer. Also, the second gate electrode connected to the first drain electrode, the second source electrode connected to the driving voltage line, and the second drain electrode connected to the pixel electrode 120 may constitute a driving TFT along with the second active layer.
(49) Also, the pixel electrode 120, the light emitting layers 150a, 150b, and 150c, and the common electrode 180 may constitute an OLED, and the mutually overlapping storage electrode and driving voltage line may constitute a storage capacitor.
(50) However, as mentioned above, when the organic compound layer is patterned through the photo process, the organic compound layer may be likely to be damaged by a photosensitive resin, a developing solution, and a strip solution, which may result in a degradation of efficiency and a life span.
(51) Thus, in case of second and third embodiments of the present invention, a buffer layer made of metal oxide is formed on an upper portion of the organic compound layer to protect the organic compound layer against a photo process. This will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(52)
(53) Although not shown, as mentioned above, in an OLED display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, a gate line including a first gate electrode and a storage electrode including a second gate electrode may be formed on a substrate 210 made of an insulating material such as transparent glass, plastic, or the like.
(54) A gate insulating layer made of silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiO.sub.2), or the like, may be formed on the gate line including the first gate electrode and the storage electrode including the second electrode.
(55) A first active layer and a second active layer, made of semiconductor, may be formed on the gate insulating layer. The first active layer and the second active layer may be positioned on the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode, respectively.
(56) A data line, a driving voltage line, a first source/drain electrode, and a second source/drain electrode may be formed on an upper portion of the first active layer and the second active layer.
(57) A predetermined passivation layer may be formed on the substrate 210 on which the data line, the driving voltage line, the first source/drain electrode, and the second source/drain electrode have been formed.
(58) As shown in
(59) The pixel electrode 220 as an anode may be electrically connected to the second drain electrode through a second contact hole, and the connecting electrode may electrically connect the first drain electrode and the second gate electrode through a first contact hole and a third contact hole.
(60) A partition (not shown) may be formed on the substrate 210 with the pixel electrode 220 formed thereon. Here, the partition may encompass the edges of the pixel electrode 220, like a bank, to define an opening, and may be made of an organic insulating material or an inorganic insulating material.
(61) An organic compound layer may be formed on the substrate 210.
(62) Here, the organic compound layer may have a multilayer structure including an auxiliary layer in order to enhance luminous efficiency of a light emitting layer that emits light, besides the light emitting layer. The auxiliary layer may include an electron transport layer and a hole transport layer for balancing electrons and holes and an electron injection layer and a hole injection layer for strengthening injection of electrons and holes.
(63) Namely, as shown in
(64) Here, the thin film 261 for a first electron transport layer may include a thin film for a first electron injection layer, and the thin film 271 for a first buffer layer may be made of a 1-2 Group and 12-16 Group metal oxide or 3-12 Group transition metal oxide.
(65) Thereafter, as shown in
(66) UV light is selectively irradiated to the first photosensitive resin layer 291 through a certain mask (not shown).
(67) Thereafter, when the first photosensitive resin layer 291 exposed through the mask is developed, a first photosensitive resin pattern 290a made of the photosensitive resin remains only at a position where a first light emitting layer is to be formed as shown in
(68) Thereafter, as shown in
(69) In this manner, since the first buffer layer 270a is positioned on the upper portion of the organic compound layer, namely, on the first electron transport layer 260a, the organic compound layer, in particular, the first electron transport layer 260a, is prevented from being degraded, thus preventing a degradation of the device.
(70) Also, since the first buffer layer 270a of metal oxide is applied, an energy barrier between the first electron transport layer 260a and the common electrode can be lowered, enhancing efficiency and a life span.
(71) Here, for example, the first light emitting layer 250a may be a red light emitting layer, and the etching may include wet etching, as well as dry etching. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and the first light emitting layer 250a may be a green or blue light emitting layer.
(72) Thereafter, as shown in
(73) Thereafter, as shown in
(74) Here, for example, the second light emitting layer 250b may be a green light emitting layer. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and when the first light emitting layer 250a is a red light emitting layer, the second light emitting layer 250b may be a blue light emitting layer, other than a green light emitting layer.
(75) Thereafter, as shown in
(76) Here, for example, when the first light emitting layer 250a is a red light emitting layer and the second light emitting layer 250b is a green light emitting layer, the third light emitting layer 250c may be a blue light emitting layer. Also, when the first light emitting layer 250a is a red light emitting layer and the second light emitting layer 250b is a blue light emitting layer, the third light emitting layer 250c may be a green light emitting layer. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and the first light emitting layer 250a, the second light emitting layer 250b, and the third light emitting layer 250c may be configured as red, green, and blue light emitting layers irrespective of order.
(77) Thereafter, as shown in
(78) In the OLED display device configured as described above, the first gate electrode connected to the gate line and the first source electrode and the first drain electrode connected to the data line may constitute a first switching thin film transistor (TFT) along with the first active layer. Also, the second gate electrode connected to the first drain electrode, the second source electrode connected to the driving voltage line, and the second drain electrode connected to the pixel electrode 220 may constitute a driving TFT along with the second active layer.
(79) Also, the pixel electrode 220, the light emitting layers 250a, 250b, and 250c, and the common electrodes 280a, 280b, and 280c may constitute an OLED, and the mutually overlapping storage electrode and driving voltage line may constitute a storage capacitor.
(80)
(81) Although not shown, as mentioned above, in an OLED display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, a gate line including a first gate electrode and a storage electrode including a second gate electrode may be formed on a substrate 310 made of an insulating material such as transparent glass, plastic, or the like.
(82) A gate insulating layer made of silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiO.sub.2), or the like, may be formed on the gate line including the first gate electrode and the storage electrode including the second electrode.
(83) A first active layer and a second active layer, made of semiconductor, may be formed on the gate insulating layer. The first active layer and the second active layer may be positioned on the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode, respectively.
(84) A data line, a driving voltage line, a first source/drain electrode, and a second source/drain electrode may be formed on an upper portion of the first active layer and the second active layer.
(85) A predetermined passivation layer may be formed on the substrate 310 on which the data line, the driving voltage line, the first source/drain electrode, and the second source/drain electrode have been formed.
(86) As shown in
(87) The pixel electrode 320 as an anode may be electrically connected to the second drain electrode through a second contact hole, and the connecting electrode may electrically connect the first drain electrode and the second gate electrode through a first contact hole and a third contact hole.
(88) A partition (not shown) may be formed on the substrate 310 with the pixel electrode 320 formed thereon. Here, the partition may encompass the edges of the pixel electrode 320, like a bank, to define an opening, and may be made of an organic insulating material or an inorganic insulating material.
(89) An organic compound layer may be formed on the substrate 310. Here, in the case of the third embodiment of the present invention, unlike the second embodiment of the present invention as described above, the organic compound layer is formed through a lift-off process.
(90) Namely, as shown in
(91) UV light is selectively irradiated to the first photosensitive resin layer 391 through a certain mask (not shown).
(92) Thereafter, when the first photosensitive resin layer 391 exposed through the mask is developed, a first photosensitive resin pattern 390a made of the photosensitive resin remains only at a position other than a position where a first light emitting layer is to be formed as shown in
(93) Thereafter, as shown in
(94) Here, the thin film 361 for a first electron transport layer may include a thin film for a first electron injection layer, and the thin film 371 for a first buffer layer may be made of a 1-2 Group and 12-16 Group metal oxide or 3-12 Group transition metal oxide.
(95) Thereafter, as shown in
(96) As a result, a first hole injection layer 330, a first hole transport layer 340a, a first light emitting layer 350a, a first electron transport layer 360a, and a first buffer layer 370a, which are formed of the thin film for a first hole injection layer, the thin film for a first hole transport layer, the first organic film, the thin film for the first electron transport layer, and the thin film for a first buffer layer, respectively, are formed on the substrate 310.
(97) Here, for example, the first light emitting layer 350a may be a red light emitting layer. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and the first light emitting layer 350a may be a green or blue light emitting layer.
(98) Thereafter, as shown in
(99) Here, for example, the second light emitting layer 350b may be a green light emitting layer. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and when the first light emitting layer 350a is a red light emitting layer, the second light emitting layer 350b may be a blue light emitting layer, other than a green light emitting layer.
(100) Thereafter, as shown in
(101) Here, for example, when the first light emitting layer 350a is a red light emitting layer and the second light emitting layer 350b is a green light emitting layer, the third light emitting layer 350c may be a blue light emitting layer. Also, when the first light emitting layer 350a is a red light emitting layer and the second light emitting layer 350b is a blue light emitting layer, the third light emitting layer 350c may be a green light emitting layer. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and the first light emitting layer 350a, the second light emitting layer 350b, and the third light emitting layer 350c may be configured as red, green, and blue light emitting layers irrespective of order.
(102) Thereafter, as shown in
(103) In the OLED display device configured as described above, the first gate electrode connected to the gate line and the first source electrode and the first drain electrode connected to the data line may constitute a first switching thin film transistor (TFT) along with the first active layer. Also, the second gate electrode connected to the first drain electrode, the second source electrode connected to the driving voltage line, and the second drain electrode connected to the pixel electrode 320 may constitute a driving TFT along with the second active layer.
(104) Also, the pixel electrode 320, the light emitting layers 350a, 350b, and 350c, and the common electrodes 380a, 380b, and 380c may constitute an OLED, and the mutually overlapping storage electrode and driving voltage line may constitute a storage capacitor.
(105) Meanwhile, organic substances whose efficiency and life span are rapidly reduced after the photo process is performed are included in the organic compound layer. For example, in the case of a blue light emitting layer, device efficiency tends to be reduced from about 5.3 cd/A to 2.0 cd/A after a photo process based on 1000 nit.
(106) For example, referring to
(107) Thus, in case of a fourth embodiment of the present invention, two pixels among red, green, and blue pixels are patterned through a lift-off process, while the other remaining one pixel is deposited to be formed without patterning, to thus simplify the process and increase efficiency. This will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(108)
(109) Although not shown, as mentioned above, in an OLED display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, a gate line including a first gate electrode and a storage electrode including a second gate electrode may be formed on a substrate 410 made of an insulating material such as transparent glass, plastic, or the like.
(110) A gate insulating layer made of silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiO.sub.2), or the like, may be formed on the gate line including the first gate electrode and the storage electrode including the second electrode.
(111) A first active layer and a second active layer, made of semiconductor, may be formed on the gate insulating layer. The first active layer and the second active layer may be positioned on the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode, respectively.
(112) A data line, a driving voltage line, a first source/drain electrode, and a second source/drain electrode may be formed on an upper portion of the first active layer and the second active layer.
(113) A predetermined passivation layer may be formed on the substrate 410 on which the data line, the driving voltage line, the first source/drain electrode, and the second source/drain electrode have been formed.
(114) As shown in
(115) The pixel electrode 420 as an anode may be electrically connected to the second drain electrode through a second contact hole, and the connecting electrode may electrically connect the first drain electrode and the second gate electrode through a first contact hole and a third contact hole.
(116) A partition (not shown) may be formed on the substrate 410 with the pixel electrode 420 formed thereon. Here, the partition may encompass the edges of the pixel electrode 420, like a bank, to define an opening, and may be made of an organic insulating material or an inorganic insulating material.
(117) An organic compound layer may be formed on the substrate 410. Here, in the case of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, two pixels among red, green, and blue pixels are patterned through a lift-off process, while the other remaining one pixel is deposited to be formed without patterning, to form the organic compound layer.
(118) Namely, as shown in
(119) As mentioned above, the hole injection layer 430 may facilitate injection of holes from the pixel electrode 420, and the hole transport layer 440 serves to allow holes to be transported to the light emitting layer.
(120) Thereafter, as shown in
(121) UV light is selectively irradiated to the first photosensitive resin layer 491 through a certain mask (not shown).
(122) Thereafter, when the first photosensitive resin layer 491 exposed through the mask is developed, a first photosensitive resin pattern 490a made of the photosensitive resin remains only at a position other than a position where a first light emitting layer is to be formed as shown in
(123) Thereafter, as shown in
(124) Thereafter, as shown in
(125) As a result, a first light emitting layer 450a formed of the first organic film is formed on the substrate 410.
(126) Here, for example, the first light emitting layer 450a may be a red light emitting layer. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and the first light emitting layer 450a may be a green or blue light emitting layer.
(127) As shown in
(128) And then, UV light is selectively irradiated to the second photosensitive resin layer 492 through a certain mask (not shown).
(129) Thereafter, when the second photosensitive resin layer 492 exposed through the mask is developed, a second photosensitive resin pattern 490b made of the photosensitive resin remains only at a position other than a position where a second light emitting layer is to be formed as shown in
(130) Thereafter, as shown in
(131) Thereafter, as shown in
(132) As a result, a second light emitting layer 450b formed of the second organic film is formed on the substrate 410.
(133) Here, for example, the second emitting layer 450b may be a green light emitting layer. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and when the first light emitting layer 450a is a red light emitting layer, the second light emitting layer 450b may be a blue light emitting layer, other than a green light emitting layer.
(134) As shown in
(135) Here, the third light emitting layer 450c may be formed with a certain thickness on upper portions of the first light emitting layer 450a and the second light emitting layer 450b as well as between the first light emitting layer 450a and the second light emitting layer 450b.
(136) Here, for example, when the first light emitting layer 450a is a red light emitting layer and the second light emitting layer 450b is a green light emitting layer, the third light emitting layer 450c may be a blue light emitting layer. Also, when the first light emitting layer 450a is a red light emitting layer and the second light emitting layer 450b is a blue light emitting layer, the third light emitting layer 450c may be a green light emitting layer. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and the first light emitting layer 450a, the second light emitting layer 450b, and the third light emitting layer 450c may be configured as red, green, and blue light emitting layers irrespective of order.
(137) Thereafter, as shown in
(138) Here, the electron transport layer 460 may include an electron injection layer. The common electrode 480, which receives a common voltage, may be made of a reflective conductive material including calcium (Ca), barium (Ba), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), or the like, or a transparent conductive material.
(139) In the OLED display device configured as described above, the first gate electrode connected to the gate line and the first source electrode and the first drain electrode connected to the data line may constitute a first switching thin film transistor (TFT) along with the first active layer. Also, the second gate electrode connected to the first drain electrode, the second source electrode connected to the driving voltage line, and the second drain electrode connected to the pixel electrode 220 may constitute a driving TFT along with the second active layer.
(140) Also, the pixel electrode 420, the light emitting layers 450a, 450b, and 450c, and the common electrode 480 may constitute an OLED, and the mutually overlapping storage electrode and driving voltage line may constitute a storage capacitor.
(141) In this manner, for example, when the first light emitting layer 450a, the second light emitting layer 450b, and the third light emitting layer 450c are a red light emitting layer, a green light emitting layer, and a blue light emitting layer, respectively, the red light emitting layer and the green light emitting layer are patterned through a lift-off process and the blue light emitting layer may be commonly formed on the entire surface.
(142) However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Namely, the green light emitting layer and the blue light emitting layer may be patterned through a lift-off process while the red light emitting layer may be commonly formed on the entire surface, or the red light emitting layer and the blue light emitting layer may be patterned through a lift-off process while the green light emitting layer may be commonly formed on the entire surface.
(143)
(144) Here, the first light emitting layer 450a is formed with a certain thickness even on upper portions of the second light emitting layer 450b and the third light emitting layer 450c, as well as between the second light emitting layer 450b and the third light emitting layer 450c.
(145)
(146) Here, the second light emitting layer 450b is formed with a certain thickness even on upper portions of the first light emitting layer 450a and the third light emitting layer 450c, as well as between the first light emitting layer 450a and the third light emitting layer 450c.
(147) Meanwhile, damage to an organic compound layer due to a photo process may be prevented according to other methods than those of the second and third embodiments of the present invention. Namely, an organic compound layer may be protected against a photo process by patterning the organic compound layer by using a cathode as a mask. This will be described in detail according to fifth and sixth embodiments of the present invention.
(148)
(149) Although not shown, in an OLED display device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, a gate line including a first gate electrode and a storage electrode including a second gate electrode may be formed on a substrate 510 made of an insulating material such as transparent glass, plastic, or the like.
(150) A gate insulating layer made of silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiO.sub.2), or the like, may be formed on the gate line including the first gate electrode and the storage electrode including the second electrode.
(151) A first active layer and a second active layer, made of semiconductor, may be formed on the gate insulating layer. The first active layer and the second active layer may be positioned on the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode, respectively.
(152) A data line, a driving voltage line, a first source/drain electrode, and a second source/drain electrode may be formed on an upper portion of the first active layer and the second active layer.
(153) A predetermined passivation layer may be formed on the substrate 510 on which the data line, the driving voltage line, the first source/drain electrode, and the second source/drain electrode have been formed.
(154) As shown in
(155) The pixel electrode 520 as an anode may be electrically connected to the second drain electrode through a second contact hole, and the connecting electrode may electrically connect the first drain electrode and the second gate electrode through a first contact hole and a third contact hole.
(156) A partition (not shown) may be formed on the substrate 510 with the pixel electrode 520 formed thereon. Here, the partition may encompass the edges of the pixel electrode 520, like a bank, to define an opening, and may be made of an organic insulating material or an inorganic insulating material.
(157) An organic compound layer may be formed on the substrate 510.
(158) Here, the organic compound layer may have a multilayer structure including an auxiliary layer in order to enhance luminous efficiency of a light emitting layer that emits light, besides the light emitting layer. The auxiliary layer may include an electron transport layer and a hole transport layer for balancing electrons and holes and an electron injection layer and a hole injection layer for strengthening injection of electrons and holes.
(159) Namely, as shown in
(160) Here, the thin film 561 for a first electron transport layer may include a thin film for a first electron injection layer, and the first conductive film 581 may be made of a reflective conductive material including calcium (Ca), barium (Ba), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), or the like, or a transparent conductive material such as ITO, IZO, or the like.
(161) Thereafter, as shown in
(162) Thereafter, UV rays are selectively irradiated to the first photosensitive resin layer 591 through a certain mask M.
(163) Thereafter, when the first photosensitive resin layer 591 exposed through the mask M is developed, a first photosensitive resin pattern 590a made of the photosensitive resin remains only at a position where a first light emitting layer is to be formed as shown in
(164) Here, the first photosensitive resin pattern 590a may be patterned to have at least the same width as that of the underlying pixel electrode 520 in consideration of an alignment error of the mask M and other processing errors.
(165) Thereafter, as shown in
(166) Here, the etching may include wet etching as well as dry etching.
(167) Thereafter, as shown in
(168) In this manner, since the first common electrode 580a is positioned as a barrier layer on an upper portion of the organic compound layer, namely, on the first electron transport layer 560a, the organic compound layer, in particular, the first electron transport layer 560a, can be prevented from being degraded during the photo process, thus preventing a degradation of the device.
(169) Here, the first light emitting layer 550a may be a red light emitting layer, but the present invention is not limited thereto and the first light emitting layer 550a may be a green or blue light emitting layer.
(170) Next, as shown in
(171) Here, the second conductive film may be made of a reflective conductive material including calcium (Ca), barium (Ba), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), or the like, or a transparent conductive material such as ITO, IZO, or the like.
(172) Here, for example, the second light emitting layer 550b may be a green light emitting layer. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and when the first light emitting layer 550a is a red light emitting layer, the second light emitting layer 550b may be a blue light emitting layer, other than a green light emitting layer.
(173) Thereafter, as shown in
(174) Here, the third conductive film may be made of a reflective conductive material including calcium (Ca), barium (Ba), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), or the like, or a transparent conductive material such as ITO, IZO, or the like.
(175) Here, for example, when the first light emitting layer 550a is a red light emitting layer and the second light emitting layer 550b is a green light emitting layer, the third light emitting layer 550c may be a blue light emitting layer. Also, when the first light emitting layer 550a is a red light emitting layer and the second light emitting layer 550b is a blue light emitting layer, the third light emitting layer 550c may be a green light emitting layer. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and the first light emitting layer 550a, the second light emitting layer 550b, and the third light emitting layer 550c may be configured as red, green, and blue light emitting layers irrespective of order.
(176) In the OLED display device configured as described above, the first gate electrode connected to the gate line and the first source electrode and the first drain electrode connected to the data line may constitute a first switching thin film transistor (TFT) along with the first active layer. Also, the second gate electrode connected to the first drain electrode, the second source electrode connected to the driving voltage line, and the second drain electrode connected to the pixel electrode 520 may constitute a driving TFT along with the second active layer.
(177) Also, the pixel electrode 520, the light emitting layers 550a, 550b, and 550c, and the common electrodes 580a, 580b, and 580c may constitute an OLED, and the mutually overlapping storage electrode and driving voltage line may constitute a storage capacitor.
(178) Here, in the OLED display device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the organic compound layer and the common electrodes are patterned at intervals between neighboring pixels, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
(179)
(180) In this case, the OLED display device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as that of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, except that the organic compound layer and the common electrodes are patterned to be in contact with each other between neighboring pixels.
(181) Although not shown, in an OLED display device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, a gate line including a first gate electrode and a storage electrode including a second gate electrode may be formed on a substrate 610 made of an insulating material such as transparent glass, plastic, or the like.
(182) A gate insulating layer made of silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiO.sub.2), or the like, may be formed on the gate line including the first gate electrode and the storage electrode including the second electrode.
(183) A first active layer and a second active layer, made of semiconductor, may be formed on the gate insulating layer. The first active layer and the second active layer may be positioned on the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode, respectively.
(184) A data line, a driving voltage line, a first source/drain electrode, and a second source/drain electrode may be formed on an upper portion of the first active layer and the second active layer.
(185) A predetermined passivation layer may be formed on the substrate 610 on which the data line, the driving voltage line, the first source/drain electrode, and the second source/drain electrode have been formed.
(186) As shown in
(187) The pixel electrode 620 as an anode may be electrically connected to the second drain electrode through a second contact hole, and the connecting electrode may electrically connect the first drain electrode and the second gate electrode through a first contact hole and a third contact hole.
(188) A partition (not shown) may be formed on the substrate 610 with the pixel electrode 620 formed thereon. Here, the partition may encompass the edges of the pixel electrode 620, like a bank, to define an opening, and may be made of an organic insulating material or an inorganic insulating material.
(189) An organic compound layer may be formed on the substrate 610.
(190) Here, the organic compound layer may have a multilayer structure including an auxiliary layer in order to enhance luminous efficiency of a light emitting layer that emits light, besides the light emitting layer. The auxiliary layer may include an electron transport layer and a hole transport layer for balancing electrons and holes and an electron injection layer and a hole injection layer for strengthening injection of electrons and holes.
(191) Namely, as shown in
(192) Here, the thin film 661 for a first electron transport layer may include a thin film for a first electron injection layer, and the first conductive film 681 may be made of a reflective conductive material including calcium (Ca), barium (Ba), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), or the like, or a transparent conductive material such as ITO, IZO, or the like.
(193) Thereafter, as shown in
(194) Thereafter, UV rays are selectively irradiated to the first photosensitive resin layer 691 through a certain mask M.
(195) Thereafter, when the first photosensitive resin layer 691 exposed through the mask M is developed, a first photosensitive resin pattern 690a made of the photosensitive resin remains only at a position where a first light emitting layer is to be formed as shown in
(196) Here, the first photosensitive resin pattern 690a may be patterned such that the organic compound layer and a common electrode are patterned to be in contact with each other between neighboring pixels.
(197) Thereafter, as shown in
(198) Here, the etching may include wet etching as well as dry etching.
(199) Thereafter, as shown in
(200) In this manner, since the first common electrode 680a is positioned as a barrier layer on an upper portion of the organic compound layer, namely, on the first electron transport layer 660a, the organic compound layer, in particular, the first electron transport layer 660a, can be prevented from being degraded during the photo process, thus preventing a degradation of the device.
(201) Here, the first light emitting layer 650a may be a red light emitting layer, but the present invention is not limited thereto and the first light emitting layer 650a may be a green or blue light emitting layer.
(202) Next, as shown in
(203) Here, the second conductive film may be made of a reflective conductive material including calcium (Ca), barium (Ba), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), or the like, or a transparent conductive material such as ITO, IZO, or the like.
(204) Here, for example, the second light emitting layer 650b may be a green light emitting layer. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and when the first light emitting layer 650a is a red light emitting layer, the second light emitting layer 650b may be a blue light emitting layer, other than a green light emitting layer.
(205) Thereafter, as shown in
(206) Here, the third conductive film may be made of a reflective conductive material including calcium (Ca), barium (Ba), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), or the like, or a transparent conductive material such as ITO, IZO, or the like.
(207) Here, for example, when the first light emitting layer 650a is a red light emitting layer and the second light emitting layer 650b is a green light emitting layer, the third light emitting layer 650c may be a blue light emitting layer. Also, when the first light emitting layer 650a is a red light emitting layer and the second light emitting layer 650b is a blue light emitting layer, the third light emitting layer 650c may be a green light emitting layer. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and the first light emitting layer 650a, the second light emitting layer 650b, and the third light emitting layer 650c may be configured as red, green, and blue light emitting layers irrespective of order.
(208) In the OLED display device configured as described above, the first gate electrode connected to the gate line and the first source electrode and the first drain electrode connected to the data line may constitute a first switching thin film transistor (TFT) along with the first active layer. Also, the second gate electrode connected to the first drain electrode, the second source electrode connected to the driving voltage line, and the second drain electrode connected to the pixel electrode 620 may constitute a driving TFT along with the second active layer.
(209) Also, the pixel electrode 620, the light emitting layers 650a, 650b, and 650c, and the common electrodes 680a, 680b, and 680c may constitute an OLED, and the mutually overlapping storage electrode and driving voltage line may constitute a storage capacitor.
(210) As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.