JP4458030B2 - Organic electroluminescence device and electronic device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an organic electroluminescence (hereinafter abbreviated as “EL”) device, a manufacturing method thereof, and an electronic apparatus.

In the conventional organic EL device, an organic EL element made of a laminate having an organic light emitting layer (light emitting layer made of an organic material) between a pair of electrodes is formed on a substrate such as a glass substrate.
As a sealing method of this organic EL panel, (1) a method of covering the panel laminate with a sealing member made of metal or the like having a recess, and fixing the peripheral portion of the sealing member and the substrate with an adhesive; (2) A method of applying an epoxy adhesive on the laminate, placing a glass plate thereon, curing the adhesive, and providing the adhesive as a sealing layer.

On the other hand, as the structure of the organic EL element, for example, the substrate is a transparent substrate such as a glass substrate, the substrate-side electrode layer is transparent, and the sealing member is opaque. In this case, light emission by the organic EL element is obtained on the substrate side.
Further, as a structure of the organic EL element, there is a structure in which the electrode on the substrate side is opaque and the electrode layer on the sealing member side is transparent. In this case, light emission by the organic EL element is obtained on the sealing substrate side.
Furthermore, another example of the structure of the organic EL element is one in which the substrate is a transparent substrate such as a glass substrate and both electrode layers are transparent. In this case, light emission by the organic EL element is obtained on the substrate side and the sealing member side.

  Here, it is known that the organic EL element constituting the organic EL device is deteriorated by moisture or oxygen. In the method (1), a desiccant such as silica gel is disposed in the region corresponding to the organic EL element in the recess to prevent moisture from adhering to the organic EL element. In the method (2), since the organic EL element is covered with an adhesive and serves as a sealing layer, a desiccant or the like is not particularly provided.

However, in the method of (1) described above, the sealing method in which the desiccant is provided at a position corresponding to the organic EL element causes the emitted light to be blocked by the desiccant. It could not be applied to the configuration for extracting or the configuration for extracting light to both the substrate side and the sealing substrate side. In the method (2), oxygen and moisture gradually enter from the portion (edge) in contact with the outside air in the adhesive, and thus the deterioration of the organic EL element due to oxygen and moisture could not be prevented for a long time.
The present invention was made paying attention to such problems of the prior art, and even when light is extracted from the sealing substrate side, the deterioration of the organic EL element due to moisture and oxygen is more reliably performed. The problem is to prevent it for a long time.

The present invention provides a display region provided with an organic electroluminescence element comprising a laminate including a first electrode, a second electrode, and an organic light emitting layer, and a sealing layer comprising a synthetic resin covering the organic electroluminescence element. An organic electroluminescence device having a sealing member fixed to the sealing layer, wherein at least one of a dehydrating agent and an oxygen scavenger comprising an alkaline earth metal or an alkali metal is the sealing layer An organic electroluminescence device, wherein the organic electroluminescence device is disposed so as to surround the display region in a formed region, and is disposed so as to be in contact with and cover the end portion and the upper surface of the second electrode. I will provide a.
The present invention provides a display region provided with an organic electroluminescence element comprising a laminate including a first electrode, a second electrode, and an organic light emitting layer, and a sealing layer comprising a synthetic resin covering the organic electroluminescence element. An organic electroluminescence device having a sealing member fixed to the sealing layer, wherein at least one of a dehydrating agent and an oxygen scavenger comprising an alkaline earth metal or an alkali metal is the sealing layer Provided is an organic electroluminescent device, which is disposed so as to surround the display region in a region where it is formed and is in contact with the second electrode over the entire circumference.
The present invention provides a display region provided with an organic electroluminescence element comprising a laminate including a first electrode, a second electrode, and an organic light emitting layer, and a sealing layer comprising a synthetic resin covering the organic electroluminescence element. A sealing member fixed to the sealing layer, wherein at least one of a dehydrating agent and an oxygen scavenger comprising an alkaline earth metal or an alkali metal is the sealing member. Provided is an organic electroluminescence device characterized in that it is disposed in a stop layer so as to surround the display region and is in contact with the second electrode.
In the organic electroluminescence device, at least one of the dehydrating agent and the oxygen scavenger is disposed in contact with an end surface and an upper surface of the second electrode.
In the organic electroluminescence device, the second electrode is preferably disposed so as to cover at least one of the dehydrating agent and the oxygen scavenger.
Moreover, in this organic electroluminescence device, it is preferable that at least one of the dehydrating agent and the oxygen scavenger is disposed over the entire circumference of the substrate surface on which the organic electroluminescence element is formed.
The present invention provides a display region composed of an organic electroluminescence element comprising a laminate comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and an organic light emitting layer, a sealing layer comprising a synthetic resin covering the organic electroluminescence element, An organic electroluminescence device comprising: a sealing member fixed to a sealing layer; and an alkaline earth metal or an alkali metal around the display region in the sealing layer and outside the laminate. A dehydrating agent and / or an oxygen scavenger is provided in contact with the second electrode. An organic electroluminescence device is provided.
The peripheral portion of the substrate surface is an area outside at least a use area of the organic EL panel (a display area when the organic EL panel is a display body, an area used as a light source when the organic EL panel is a light source). The end of or near the end is shown. Moreover, in the structure which has the said sealing layer, the position which is inside several mm or more from the end surface position of a sealing layer, for example, and becomes an outer side from the said use area | region is shown.
In the organic electroluminescence device, the dehydrating agent and / or the oxygen scavenger is disposed in contact with an end surface and an upper surface of the second electrode.
Furthermore, it is preferable to arrange the dehydrating agent and / or oxygen scavenger so as to surround the organic electroluminescence device.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the dehydrating agent and / or the oxygen scavenger be disposed over the entire circumference in the substrate surface on which the organic electroluminescence element is formed.

    In this organic EL device, the dehydrating agent and / or oxygen scavenger may be disposed outside the region where the first electrode is formed.

In this organic EL device, a sealing layer made of a resin and a sealing member are formed on the second electrode.
The substrate and the sealing member may sandwich the sealing layer.

The second electrode and the sealing member may be made of a transparent material, and light emitted from the light emitting layer may be emitted from the sealing member side.
Here, the second electrode may be an anode or a cathode. Examples of the transparent anode layer include ITO (In ₂ O ₃ —SnO ₂ ) and IDIXO (In ₂ O ₃ —ZnO). Examples of the transparent cathode layer include (1) a thin film obtained by co-evaporation of magnesium (Mg) and silver (Ag), and (2) co-evaporation of lithium (Li) and aluminum (Al). A thin film, (3) a thin film having a two-layer structure comprising a first cathode layer (light emitting layer side) made of a material having a small work function and a second cathode layer having a work function larger than this layer, and having a total thickness of For example, the thing of 140 mm or less is mentioned. Examples of the material of the first cathode layer include calcium (Ca) or magnesium (Mg). Examples of the material of the second cathode layer include aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), gold (Au), ITO, and IDIXO. Can be used.

  In this organic EL device, the dehydrating agent and / or oxygen scavenger may be disposed outside the second electrode.

  In this organic EL device, the dehydrating agent and / or oxygen scavenger may be disposed so as to contact a part of the second electrode.

  In this organic EL device, the dehydrating agent and / or the oxygen scavenger may be formed in a ring shape.

  In this organic EL device, the second electrode may include a layer made of the same material as the dehydrating agent and / or oxygen scavenger.

The method for producing an organic EL device of the present invention includes a step of forming an organic electroluminescent element composed of a laminate including a first electrode, a second electrode, and an organic light emitting layer on a substrate, and an end face of the laminate and the substrate. And at least one of a dehydrating agent and an oxygen scavenger made of alkaline earth metal or alkali metal on the second electrode layer in a region between the sealing layer and the display region. And it has the process of arrange | positioning in contact with the said 2nd electrode, the process of arrange | positioning a sealing member on the said sealing layer, and the process of hardening | curing the said sealing layer, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
The method for producing an organic EL device of the present invention includes a step of forming an organic electroluminescent element composed of a laminate including a first electrode, a second electrode, and an organic light emitting layer on a substrate, and an end face of the laminate and the substrate. A step of disposing a dehydrating agent and / or an oxygen scavenger comprising an alkaline earth metal or an alkali metal on the second electrode layer in a region between the second electrode layer and the second electrode layer; and sealing on the sealing layer. It has the process of arrange | positioning a stop member, and the process of hardening | curing the said sealing layer.

In this method of manufacturing an organic EL device, it is preferable that at least one of the dehydrating agent and the oxygen scavenger is formed by a vacuum deposition method using a mask.
In this method of manufacturing an organic EL device, it is preferable that the dehydrating agent and / or the oxygen scavenger be formed by a vacuum deposition method using a mask.
In this method for manufacturing an organic EL device, the dehydrating agent and / or the oxygen scavenger may be formed outside a region where the first electrode is formed.
In this method for manufacturing an organic EL device, the dehydrating agent and / or the oxygen scavenger may be formed outside the second electrode.
In this method for manufacturing an organic EL device, the dehydrating agent and / or the oxygen scavenger may be formed in contact with a part of the second electrode.
The present invention is an electronic apparatus including an organic electroluminescence device having at least a first electrode, a light emitting layer, and a second electrode in this order on a substrate, wherein the organic electroluminescence device includes the first electrode. A dehydrating agent and / or an oxygen scavenger is disposed on the peripheral edge of the surface on which the electrode is formed.
The present invention provides a display region provided with an organic electroluminescence element comprising a laminate including a first electrode, a second electrode, and an organic light emitting layer, and a sealing layer comprising a synthetic resin covering the organic electroluminescence element. An electronic device having an organic electroluminescence device comprising a sealing member fixed to the sealing layer, wherein at least one of a dehydrating agent and an oxygen scavenger comprising an alkaline earth metal or an alkali metal Either one is disposed in the sealing layer so as to surround the display region, and is disposed in contact with the second electrode.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
1st Embodiment of the organic electroluminescent panel (organic electroluminescent apparatus) of this invention is described using FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 1 is a view showing the structure of this organic EL panel, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross section taken along the line AA of FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing each step of the method of manufacturing the organic EL panel. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state of the manufacturing process of the organic EL panel, and shows the state of FIG.

  The organic EL panel of this embodiment includes seven elements constituting digital numbers as a light emitting unit made of an organic EL element. This organic EL panel is a display body that displays digital numbers or the like by causing any element to emit light as necessary. Further, the area inside the reference numeral 12 in FIG. 3 corresponds to the display area of the organic EL panel.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the organic EL panel of this embodiment includes a transparent glass substrate 1, transparent anodes (anode layers) 2a to 2g corresponding to the seven elements, and anodes 2a to 2g. 2g wirings 3a to 3g, a transparent cathode layer 4, a cathode terminal 40, a hole transport layer 5, an organic light emitting layer 6, a member 7 made of calcium (Ca), and a sealing layer 8 And a glass plate (protective plate material) 9.

  In other words, this organic EL panel is a transmission type organic EL panel, and is a laminated body (a laminated body having a hole transport layer 5 and an organic light emitting layer 6 between the anode layers 2a to 2g and the cathode layer 4). Body) 11 is formed on the glass substrate 1, and a sealing layer 8 made of a synthetic resin is formed on the surface of the laminate 11 on the side opposite to the substrate (the side opposite to the substrate). A glass plate (protective plate material) 9 is fixed to the surface, and a member 7 made of calcium (Ca) is formed in an annular shape so as to surround the laminated body 11 at the peripheral portion in the substrate surface in the sealing layer 8. Yes. By forming the member having the function of dehydration and / or deoxygenation in an annular shape, water and oxygen entering from a portion in contact with the outside air are uniformly blocked regardless of the location so that the laminate 11 is not adversely affected. Can be. The sealing layer 8 used here also has a function of bonding the glass substrate 1 and the glass plate 9 together.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cathode terminal 40 is formed in a band shape having a predetermined width so as to reach the end of the substrate surface at one place on the peripheral portion in the substrate surface. Also, as shown in the figure, one end of each of the wirings 3a to 3g is connected to each of the anodes 2a to 2g, and the other end of all the wirings 3a to 3g is aligned with the cathode terminal 40 at the peripheral portion in the substrate surface. Are arranged in parallel at regular intervals. The peripheral edge portion (the other end portion) in the substrate surface of the wirings 3a to 3g is used as a terminal for each of the anodes 2a to 2g.

  In FIG. 3, terminals for the respective anodes 2 a to 2 g are collectively indicated by reference numeral 30. 1 and 2 do not show the wirings 3a to 3g. In this organic EL panel, the entire surface of the glass substrate 1 is covered with the sealing layer 8 and the glass plate 9 except for the end portions where the terminals 30 and 40 are formed. This organic EL panel is used by connecting wiring from a drive circuit between the exposed anode terminal 30 and cathode terminal 40.

The glass substrate 1 is made of soda glass having a thickness of 0.7 mm. Each anode 2a through 2g, the wiring 3a~3g and terminals 40 for the cathode, consists of a thickness of _{150nm ITO (In 2 O 3 -SnO} 2) thin film. The transparent cathode layer 4 is made of an alloy thin film of magnesium and silver. The cathode layer 4 is formed in a range surrounded by a two-dot chain line 41 in FIG. 3 (a range including the display region 12).

  The hole transport layer 5 is composed of an N, N′-diphenyl-N, N′-dinaphthyl-1,1′-biphenyl-4,4′-diamine thin film having a thickness of 50 nm. The organic light emitting layer 6 is a thin film having a thickness of 50 nm made of a tris (8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum complex. The hole transport layer 5 and the organic light emitting layer 6 are formed in a central portion including all the anodes 2a to 2g. The sealing layer 8 is made of an epoxy resin (synthetic resin) having a thickness of 30 μm. The glass plate 9 is made of soda glass having a thickness of 0.1 mm.

The member 7 made of calcium (Ca) is continuously formed in a range surrounded by two-dot chain lines 71 and 72 in FIG. 3 over the entire peripheral edge portion in the substrate surface in the sealing layer 8. . That is, on the outside of the cathode layer 4 (outside of the display region 12), for example, it is disposed at a position of 5 mm from the end of the sealing layer 8 with a width of 1 mm and a thickness of 500 nm.
This organic EL panel can be formed as follows, for example.

First, an ITO (In ₂ O ₃ —SnO ₂ ) thin film is formed on a transparent glass substrate 1 by a sputtering method, and photolithography and etching are performed on the thin film, whereby an anode (anode) Layer) 2a to 2g, wirings 3a to 3g for the respective anodes 2a to 2g, and terminals 40 for the cathode are formed. FIG. 2A and FIG. 3 show this state.

  Next, the hole transport layer 5 is formed on the glass substrate 1 only in the central portion including all the anodes 2a to 2g by a vacuum deposition method. FIG. 2B shows this state. Next, the organic light emitting layer 6 is formed only on the entire upper surface of the hole transport layer 5 by vacuum deposition. FIG. 2 (c) shows this state. In addition, when forming organic layers, such as an organic light emitting layer, using a polymeric material, it is preferable to use the inkjet method.

  Next, on the glass substrate 1, in a range covering the entire upper surface of the organic light emitting layer 6 and a part of the cathode terminal 40 (a range surrounded by a two-dot chain line 41 in FIG. 3), as the cathode layer 4, A thin film made of an alloy of magnesium and silver is formed by vacuum co-evaporation. Thereby, the laminated body 11 which makes a transmissive organic EL element on the glass substrate 1 is formed. FIG. 2 (d) shows this state.

Next, a calcium thin film was used as a member 7 and a mask at the above-described position on the glass substrate 1 outside the cathode layer 4 (within the range surrounded by the two-dot chain lines 71 and 72 in FIG. 3). It forms by a vacuum evaporation method. FIG. 2 (e) shows this state.
When the organic layer including the organic light-emitting layer is formed of a polymer material, it is preferable to use calcium (for example, a Ca / Au laminated film) for the cathode. You may carry out simultaneously with formation of the calcium thin film made. In this case, since the calcium thin film of the member 7 is formed thicker than the calcium thin film of the cathode layer 4, first, film formation is started using a mask corresponding to the member 7 and the cathode layer 4. When the film formation time for the thickness of elapses, the mask is changed to that for the member 7, and the calcium thin film of the member 7 is further formed.

  Next, an epoxy resin-based adhesive is applied to the range on the glass substrate 1 excluding the ends where the terminals 30 and 40 are formed (the range surrounded by the two-dot chain line 81 in FIG. 3). Then, the adhesive is cured with the glass plate 9 placed thereon. This step is performed under an inert gas atmosphere. Further, it is necessary to prevent the substrate from being exposed to the air after the formation of the member 7 made of calcium and before the application of the epoxy resin adhesive.

Thereby, the sealing layer 8 is formed in the range on the glass substrate 1, the glass plate 9 is fixed thereon, and the ends of the terminals 30 and 40 are exposed on the substrate surface. FIG. 2 (f) shows this state.
In this organic EL panel, when oxygen and moisture that have entered the sealing layer 8 from the end face of the sealing layer 8 reach the member 7, oxygen and water are converted into calcium hydroxide and water by a chemical reaction with calcium forming the member 7. Changes to calcium oxide. That is, this member 7 acts as an oxygen scavenger and a dehydrating agent. Therefore, according to this organic EL panel, the laminated body 11 (particularly, the cathode layer 4) in the sealing layer 8 is less likely to be deteriorated by oxygen and moisture than in the case where the member 7 is not provided.
Here, calcium is used as the oxygen scavenger and dehydrating agent, but if it performs the same function as a member made of a material that reacts with water and oxygen to produce a hydroxide and an oxide, Not limited to this. For example, alkaline earth metals (Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, etc.) or alkali metals (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, etc.) can be mentioned. Examples of a method for forming an alkaline earth metal or alkali metal member on a substrate include a vacuum deposition method, a sputtering method, and a CVD method.
Alternatively, a material that physically takes in or adsorbs water or oxygen molecules may be used. For example, molecular sieves having a zeolite structure, silica gel and the like can be mentioned.
In addition, by arranging this organic EL panel on a dial such as a wristwatch, both analog display of time by the dial and display of digital numbers by the organic EL panel can be performed in the same plane.

  4-6 is a figure which shows 2nd Embodiment of the organic electroluminescent panel of this invention. FIG. 4 is a view showing the structure of the organic EL panel, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross section taken along the line AA of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing each step of the method of manufacturing the organic EL panel. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing one state of the manufacturing process of the organic EL panel, and shows the state of FIG.

  In the first embodiment described above, the member 7 made of calcium is provided outside the cathode layer 4 in the substrate surface, and the sealing layer 8 exists between the member 7 and the cathode layer 4. In the embodiment, the member 7 made of calcium is provided in a range surrounded by two-dot chain lines 71 and 72 in FIG. 6 so as to contact the end face of the cathode layer 4 and the upper surface of the peripheral edge. That is, in the second embodiment, the sealing layer 8 does not exist between the member 7 and the cathode layer 4. Except for this point, the configuration of the organic EL panel of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Each process of the manufacturing method of the organic EL panel is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, and the process diagram of FIG. 5 is different from FIG. 2 (e) only in FIG. 5 (e). . The step of forming the member 7 made of calcium is performed by, for example, a vacuum evaporation method using a mask.
7-9 is a figure which shows 3rd Embodiment of the organic electroluminescent panel of this invention. FIG. 7 is a view showing the structure of this organic EL panel, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross section along line AA of FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing each step of the method of manufacturing the organic EL panel. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing one state of the manufacturing process of the organic EL panel, and shows the state of FIG.

  In the third embodiment, the surface of the member 7 made of calcium other than the surface on the substrate side is covered with the cathode layer 4. That is, the member 7 is provided within a range surrounded by the two-dot chain lines 71 and 72 in FIG. 9, and the cathode layer 4 extends further outside the two-dot chain line 72 indicating the outer line in the substrate surface of the member 7. Is formed. Further, the sealing layer 8 does not exist between the member 7 and the cathode layer 4. Except for this point, the configuration of the organic EL panel of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  Each step of the method for manufacturing the organic EL panel of the third embodiment is different from the steps of FIGS. 2D and 8E in the steps of FIGS. 8D and 8E, but the other steps are the first steps. This is the same as the embodiment. That is, in this embodiment, the formation process of the member 7 shown in FIG. 8D is performed after the organic light emitting layer 6 is formed, and the formation process of the cathode layer 4 shown in FIG. The formation method of the member 7 and the cathode layer 4 can be performed by the same method as 1st Embodiment.

  FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the organic EL panel of the present invention. The organic EL panel of this embodiment is surrounded by two-dot chain lines 71 and 41 in FIG. 6 so that the member 7 made of calcium is in contact with the upper surface of the peripheral portion of the cathode layer 4 and is not in contact with the end surface of the cathode layer 4. It is provided within the specified range. Except for this point, the configuration of the organic EL panel of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment.

  Also in the case of the organic EL panels of the second to fourth embodiments, oxygen and moisture that have entered the sealing layer 8 from the end face of the sealing layer 8 reach the member 7 as in the organic EL panel of the first embodiment. Then, oxygen and water change into calcium hydroxide and calcium oxide by a chemical reaction with calcium forming the member 7. Therefore, according to these organic EL panels, the laminate 11 (especially the cathode layer 4) in the sealing layer 8 is less likely to be deteriorated by oxygen and moisture than in the case where the member 7 is not provided.

  Further, unlike the organic EL panel of the first embodiment, the organic EL panel of the second to fourth embodiments is in contact with the cathode layer 4 because the member 7 made of calcium is in contact with the cathode layer 4, so that the member 7 acts as an auxiliary cathode. . This prevents a potential difference from occurring between a position close to the terminal in the cathode surface and a position far from the terminal when a voltage is applied, and also has an effect of making the voltage uniform in the surface of the cathode layer.

In the organic EL panels of the first and second embodiments, since the member 7 is disposed outside the end face of the cathode layer 4, the oxygen in the stacked body 11 is higher than that of the organic EL panels of the third and fourth embodiments. And the effect of preventing deterioration due to moisture is high.
In each of the above embodiments, the member 7 is continuously formed on the entire peripheral portion in the substrate surface, but there may be a portion that is not formed on a part of the peripheral portion. However, the deoxygenation / dehydration performance is higher when formed on the entire peripheral edge. Moreover, you may form in the state which is not continuous to all the peripheral parts. Further, the larger the size (cross-sectional area) of the member 7, the higher the deoxygenation / dehydration performance. Therefore, the size (width and thickness of the cross section) of the member 7 is appropriately set according to the required deoxygenation / dehydration performance.

  Moreover, although the organic EL panel of each said embodiment is a transmissive | pervious organic EL panel, this invention is transparent in the board | substrate and the anode layer which is an electrode layer of a board | substrate side, and is an electrode layer on the opposite side to a board | substrate. A certain cathode layer has an opaque structure, and can be suitably applied to an organic EL panel of a type in which light emission is obtained on the substrate side. Examples of this type of organic EL panel to which the present invention is applied include the following (1) to (3).

   (1) The same organic EL panel as in the first to fourth embodiments except that an opaque metal thin film (for example, a laminated film of a calcium thin film 10 nm and an aluminum thin film 400 nm) is provided as the cathode layer 4. (2) The laminated body 11 provided with the opaque metal thin film is provided as the cathode layer 4, the member 7 made of calcium or the like is provided in the same manner as in the first to fourth embodiments, and the sealing layer 8 and the glass plate 9 are not provided. An organic EL panel in which a closed space is formed on the upper side of the laminate 11 and the substrate is covered with a metal or frosted glass container so that the member 7 enters the closed space.

   (3) A laminated body 11 having an opaque metal thin film is provided as the cathode layer 4, a member 7 made of calcium or the like is provided in the same manner as in the first to fourth embodiments, and a sealing layer 8 is provided. An organic EL panel in which a closed space is formed on the upper side of the laminate 11 and the substrate is covered with a metal or frosted glass container so that the member 7 enters the closed space without being provided.

The present invention can also be applied to a top emission type organic EL panel as shown in FIG.
Since this organic EL panel is a display device panel having an organic EL element whose driving method is an active matrix method as a pixel, a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) 15 for each pixel is formed on the substrate 1. For each pixel, an opaque anode layer 2 is formed in connection with the TFT 15, and a hole transport layer 5, a light emitting layer 6, and a transparent cathode layer 4 are sequentially formed thereon. In this example, an auxiliary cathode 45 is also formed.

This organic EL panel emits light on the side opposite to the substrate 1 (that is, the cathode layer 4 side). Therefore, in this organic EL panel, a semiconductor substrate such as a silicon wafer, a reflective substrate, or the like can be used as the substrate 1. Further, the top of the TFT 15 on the substrate 1 can be a light emitting pixel region.
As a result, in this organic EL panel, the aperture ratio can be increased to about 70%. On the other hand, in an organic EL panel having a conventional structure in which light emission is obtained on the substrate side (a structure in which the substrate is transparent, the electrode layer on the substrate side is transparent, and the electrode layer on the opposite side of the substrate is opaque) Since the TFT on the substrate cannot be used as the light emitting pixel region, the aperture ratio was about 30%. Therefore, by using a top emission type organic EL panel, it is possible to increase the luminance or reduce the power consumption as compared with an organic EL panel having a conventional structure.

Furthermore, the organic EL panel of the present invention can be applied to various electronic devices such as mobile personal computers, mobile phones, and digital still cameras.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a mobile personal computer.
In FIG. 12, a personal computer 100 is composed of a main body 104 having a keyboard 102 and a display unit 106 made of the organic EL device of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a mobile phone. In FIG. 13, a mobile phone 200 includes a plurality of operation buttons 202, a receiving mouth 204, a mouthpiece 206, and a display panel 208 made of the organic EL device of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the digital still camera 300. Note that the connection with an external device is also shown in a simplified manner. A normal camera sensitizes a film with a light image of a subject, whereas a digital still camera 300 generates an image signal by photoelectrically converting a light image of a subject with an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge coupled device). It is.

  Here, on the back surface of the case 302 in the digital still camera 300, a display panel 304 made of the organic EL device of the present invention is provided, and is configured to perform display based on an imaging signal from the CCD. Therefore, the display panel 304 functions as a finder that displays the subject. A light receiving unit 306 including an optical lens, a CCD, and the like is provided on the observation side 302 (the back side in the drawing).

  Here, when the photographer confirms the subject image displayed on the display panel 304 and presses the shutter button 308, the CCD image pickup signal at that time is transferred to and stored in the memory of the circuit board 310. In the digital still camera 300, a video signal output terminal 312 and an input / output terminal 314 for data communication are provided on the side surface of the case 302.

  As shown in the figure, a television monitor 430 is connected to the video signal output terminal 312 and a personal computer 440 is connected to the input / output terminal 314 for data communication, as necessary. Further, the imaging signal stored in the memory of the circuit board 310 is output to the television monitor 430 or the personal computer 440 by a predetermined operation.

  As an electronic apparatus to which the organic EL device of the present invention can be applied as a display unit or the like, in addition to the personal computer of FIG. 12, the mobile phone of FIG. 13, and the digital still camera of FIG. Examples include a monitor direct-view video tape recorder, a car navigation device, a pager, an electronic notebook, a calculator, a word processor, a workstation, a videophone, a POS terminal, and a device equipped with a touch panel.

〔The invention's effect〕
As described above, according to the organic EL device of the present invention, in an organic EL device in which an organic EL element composed of a laminate having an organic light emitting layer between an anode layer and a cathode layer is formed on a substrate. The deterioration of the laminate can be prevented for a long time.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the organic electroluminescent panel equivalent to 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is sectional drawing corresponding to the AA line cross section of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows each process of the manufacturing method of the organic electroluminescent panel of FIG. It is a top view which shows one state of the manufacturing process of the organic electroluminescent panel of FIG. 1, Comprising: The state of Fig.2 (a) is shown. It is a figure which shows the structure of the organic electroluminescent panel equivalent to 2nd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is sectional drawing corresponding to the AA line cross section of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows each process of the manufacturing method of the organic electroluminescent panel of FIG. It is a top view which shows one state of the manufacturing process of the organic electroluminescent panel of FIG. 4, Comprising: The state of Fig.5 (a) is shown. It is a figure which shows the structure of the organic electroluminescent panel equivalent to 3rd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is sectional drawing corresponding to the AA line cross section of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows each process of the manufacturing method of the organic electroluminescent panel of FIG. It is a top view which shows one state of the manufacturing process of the organic electroluminescent panel of FIG. 7, Comprising: The state of Fig.8 (a) is shown. It is a figure which shows the structure of the organic electroluminescent panel equivalent to 4th Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is sectional drawing corresponding to the AA line cross section of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a top emission type organic electroluminescent panel. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the personal computer corresponded to an example of the electronic device to which the organic EL panel of this invention is applied. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the mobile telephone equivalent to an example of the electronic device to which the organic EL panel of this invention is applied. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the back side of the digital still camera corresponded to an example of the electronic device to which the organic EL panel of this invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

1 Glass substrate 2a-2g Anode (anode layer)
3a to 3g Anode wiring 4 Cathode layer 30 Anode terminal 40 Cathode terminal 41 Line indicating the formation range of the cathode layer 45 Auxiliary cathode 5 Hole transport layer 6 Organic light emitting layer 7 Calcium member 71 Member 7 formation range Line 72 Line indicating the formation range of the member 7 8 Sealing material made of epoxy resin 81 Line indicating the formation range of the sealing layer 9 Protective glass plate (plate material)
11 Laminated body 12 Display area 15 TFT
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Personal computer 102 Keyboard 104 Main body part 106 Display unit 200 Mobile phone 202 Operation button 204 Earpiece 206 Transmission mouth 208 Display panel 300 Digital still camera 302 Case 304 Display panel 308 Shutter button 310 Circuit board 312 Video signal output terminal 314 Data communication Input / output terminal 430 TV monitor 440 Personal computer

Claims (8)

A display region provided with an organic electroluminescence element comprising a laminate including a first electrode, a second electrode, and an organic light emitting layer;
A sealing layer made of a synthetic resin covering the organic electroluminescence element;
The organic electroluminescent device you have a, a sealing member fixed to the sealing layer,
At least one of a dehydrating agent and an oxygen scavenger comprising an alkaline earth metal or an alkali metal is disposed so as to surround the display region in the region where the sealing layer is formed , and the second the organic electroluminescent device which is characterized that you have been arranged so as to cover an end portion in contact with the end portion and the upper surface of the electrode. The organic electroluminescence device according to claim 1 ,
Wherein at least one of the dehydrating agent and deoxidizer, the organic electroluminescent device the organic electroluminescent device, characterized in that it is arranged over the entire circumference of the substrate surface to form a. A display region provided with an organic electroluminescence element comprising a laminate including a first electrode, a second electrode, and an organic light emitting layer;
A sealing layer made of a synthetic resin covering the organic electroluminescence element;
The organic electroluminescent device you have a, a sealing member fixed to the sealing layer,
At least one of a dehydrating agent and an oxygen scavenger comprising an alkaline earth metal or an alkali metal is disposed so as to surround the display region in the region where the sealing layer is formed , and the second the organic electroluminescent device which is characterized that you have been placed in contact over the entire circumference and the electrodes. The organic electroluminescent device according to claim 3 ,
The organic electroluminescence device, wherein the second electrode is disposed so as to cover at least one of the dehydrating agent and the oxygen scavenger. In the organic electroluminescent device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An organic electroluminescence device, wherein an epoxy resin is used for the sealing layer. In the organic electroluminescent device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The organic electroluminescence device, wherein the sealing member is transparent. In the organic electroluminescent device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The organic electroluminescence device, wherein the sealing member is made of metal.   An electronic apparatus comprising the organic electroluminescence device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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