JPWO2019082950A1 - Light emitting device - Google Patents

Abstract

The light emitting device (10) includes a first electrode (110), an organic layer (120), a second electrode (130), a conductive portion (160), and a plurality of insulating portions (a plurality of openings (220)). The organic layer (120) and the second electrode (130) are laminated on a part of the first electrode (110), and form a light emitting portion (142). The conductive portion (160) overlaps with the other portion of the first electrode (110). The conductive portion (160) has a lower electrical resistance than the first electrode (110). The first electrode (110) has a current path portion (210) between the light emitting portion (142) and the conductive portion (160).

Description

The present invention relates to a light emitting device.

In recent years, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) has been developed as a light emitting device. The OLED has an anode, an organic layer and a cathode. The organic layer includes a light emitting layer that emits light by organic electroluminescence (EL). The anode, organic layer and cathode form the light emitting part of the OLED.

Patent Document 1 describes an example of a light emitting device having a plurality of light emitting units arranged in a two-dimensional matrix. The plurality of light emitting units have a common electrode (cathode). The cathode is connected to the terminal via a wiring located side by side with the region where the plurality of light emitting portions are arranged. A slit is formed in the wiring. With the slit, the potential of the light emitting portion located near the terminal and the potential of the light emitting portion located far from the terminal can be made uniform. Therefore, the brightness of the plurality of light emitting units can be made uniform.

Patent Document 2 describes an example of a cathode having a plurality of openings. The cathode extends in one direction. Terminals connected to the cathode are provided at both ends of the cathode. The plurality of openings are arranged in one direction as described above and overlap with the light emitting portion. The plurality of openings makes it possible to suppress variations in the brightness of the light emitting portion.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-204528 JP-A-2007-294441

As described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, in an OLED, it is required to adjust the current value supplied from the conductive portion according to the position of the light emitting portion in order to suppress the variation in the brightness of the light emitting portion. There is.

As an example of the problem to be solved by the present invention, adjusting the current value according to the position of the light emitting unit can be mentioned.

The invention according to claim 1
With the first electrode
The organic layer and the second electrode, which are laminated on a part of the first electrode and constitute a light emitting portion,
A conductive portion that overlaps with the other portion of the first electrode and has a lower electrical resistance than the first electrode.
The terminal connected to the conductive part and
With
The first electrode has a current path portion located between the light emitting portion and the conductive portion.
The current path portion includes a first portion and a second portion having a lower electrical resistance than the first portion.
A light emitting device in which the first portion is closer to the terminal than the second portion in a direction along the outer edge of the light emitting portion.

The invention according to claim 14
With the first electrode
The organic layer and the second electrode, which are laminated on a part of the first electrode and constitute a light emitting portion,
A conductive portion that overlaps with the other portion of the first electrode and has a lower electrical resistance than the first electrode.
With
The first electrode has a first opening and a second opening along with the first opening between the light emitting portion and the conductive portion.
The first opening includes a first region extending in the first direction and a second region extending in the second direction intersecting the first direction and intersecting the first region.
The second opening includes a third region.
The third region of the second opening is a light emitting device that is aligned with the first region of the first opening in the second direction and is aligned with the second region of the first opening in the first direction.

The invention according to claim 15
With the first electrode
The organic layer and the second electrode, which are laminated on a part of the first electrode and constitute a light emitting portion,
A conductive portion that overlaps with the other portion of the first electrode and has a lower electrical resistance than the first electrode.
A current path portion located between the light emitting portion and the conductive portion,
The first insulating part and the second insulating part located in the current path part, respectively,
With
The outer edge of the light emitting portion includes a first edge and a second edge extending in a direction different from the first edge.
The first insulating portion is a light emitting device located along the first edge, and the second insulating portion is a light emitting device located along the second edge.

The invention according to claim 16
A light emitting part in which the first electrode, the organic layer and the second electrode are laminated, and
The conductive portion of the light emitting portion separated from the first electrode and
A current path portion electrically connected to each of the first electrode and the conductive portion of the light emitting portion,
With
The current path portion is
A first portion containing the same material as the first electrode and
A second portion containing the same material as the second electrode,
It is a light emitting device having.

The invention according to claim 23
A light emitting part in which the first electrode, the organic layer and the second electrode are laminated, and
The conductive portion of the light emitting portion separated from the first electrode and
A current path portion electrically connected to each of the first electrode and the conductive portion of the light emitting portion,
With
The current path portion is
The first portion of the light emitting portion separated from the first electrode and
A second portion that is directly connected to the first electrode of the light emitting portion and contains a material different from that of the first portion.
It is a light emitting device having.

The above-mentioned objectives and other objectives, features and advantages will be further clarified by the preferred embodiments described below and the accompanying drawings below.

It is a top view which shows the light emitting device which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is the figure which removed the 2nd electrode from FIG. It is an enlarged view of the region α shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of a part of the light emitting device according to the second embodiment. It is an enlarged view of a part of the current path part shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of a part of the light emitting device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. It is an enlarged plan view of a part of the light emitting device which concerns on modification 1. FIG. It is an enlarged plan view of a part of the light emitting device which concerns on modification 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. It is a top view which shows the light emitting device which concerns on Embodiment 4. It is an enlarged view of the region β shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the manufacturing method of the light emitting device shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the manufacturing method of the light emitting device shown in FIG. 13 and FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, similar components are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a light emitting device 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram in which the second electrode 130 is removed from FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the region α shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG.

The outline of the light emitting device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The light emitting device 10 includes a first electrode 110, an organic layer 120, a second electrode 130, a conductive portion 160, and a plurality of insulating portions (in the example shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of openings 220). The organic layer 120 and the second electrode 130 are laminated on a part of the first electrode 110 to form a light emitting unit 142. The conductive portion 160 overlaps with the other portion of the first electrode 110. The conductive portion 160 has a lower electrical resistance than the first electrode 110. The first electrode 110 has a current path portion 210 between the light emitting portion 142 and the conductive portion 160 (in the example shown in FIG. 3, between the insulating layer 150 and the conductive portion 160).

According to the above-described configuration, the current value between the light emitting unit 142 and the conductive unit 160 can be adjusted according to the position of the light emitting unit 142. Specifically, in the above-described configuration, the first electrode 110 has a current path portion 210 between the light emitting portion 142 and the conductive portion 160. The current flowing between the light emitting unit 142 and the conductive unit 160 can be adjusted by the electric resistance of the current path unit 210. Therefore, the current value between the light emitting unit 142 and the conductive unit 160 can be adjusted according to the position of the light emitting unit 142.

The details of the plane layout of the light emitting device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The light emitting device 10 includes a substrate 100, a first electrode 110, a terminal 112, a second electrode 130, a terminal 132, an insulating layer 150, and a conductive portion 160.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the shape of the substrate 100 is non-rectangular. In another example, the shape of the substrate 100 may be a shape other than a non-rectangular shape. As is clear from the description of this embodiment, according to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress variations in the brightness of the light emitting unit 142 regardless of the shape of the substrate 100.

The shape of the first electrode 110 and the shape of the second electrode 130 are non-rectangular, similar to the shape of the substrate 100. The outer edge of the first electrode 110 and the outer edge of the second electrode 130 extend along the outer edge of the substrate 100.

The insulating layer 150 has an opening 152. The insulating layer 150 defines the light emitting portion 142 by the opening 152. The shape of the light emitting portion 142 is non-rectangular like the shape of the substrate 100. The outer edge of the light emitting portion 142 extends along the outer edge of the substrate 100.

The outer edge of the first electrode 110, the outer edge of the second electrode 130, and the outer edge of the light emitting portion 142 do not need to extend along the outer edge of the substrate 100, and are determined independently of the outer edge of the substrate 100. You may.

The conductive portion 160 extends along the outer edge of the light emitting portion 142 (or the outer edge of the substrate 100). The conductive portion 160 functions as an auxiliary electrode of the first electrode 110. Specifically, the conductivity of the conductive portion 160 is higher than that of the first electrode 110, and includes, for example, MAM (Mo / Al / Mo). By extending the conductive portion 160 along the outer edge of the light emitting portion 142, a larger amount of current can be applied to the light emitting portion 142 and the region around the light emitting portion 142 as compared with the case where the conductive portion 160 is not provided. It becomes possible to flow between.

The terminal 112 is connected to one end of the conductive portion 160. A voltage from the outside of the light emitting device 10 is supplied to the terminal 112. Therefore, the first electrode 110 is supplied with a voltage from the outside of the light emitting device 10 via the terminal 112 and the conductive portion 160.

The terminal 132 is connected to the second electrode 130. A voltage from the outside is supplied to the terminal 132. Therefore, the second electrode 130 is supplied with a voltage from the outside of the light emitting device 10 via the terminal 132.

Next, the details of the current path portion 210 will be described with reference to FIG.

The current path portion 210 is a part of the first electrode 110 and is located between the light emitting portion 142 and the conductive portion 160, and in the example shown in FIG. 3, between the insulating layer 150 and the conductive portion 160. The current path portion 210 has a plurality of openings 220. The plurality of openings 220 are arranged along the outer edge of the light emitting portion 142. The current path portion 210 includes a plurality of portions (for example, the first portion 212 and the second portion 214 shown in FIG. 3) located between adjacent openings 220. Each portion of the current path portion 210 is defined by a region (that is, adjacent openings 220) where the material constituting the first electrode 110 is not provided. In each of the above-described portions of the current path portion 210, a current flows in a direction intersecting the outer edge of the light emitting portion 142.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the shape of the opening 220 is rectangular. In another example, the shape of the opening 220 may be a shape other than a rectangle, such as a circle or an ellipse, or a polygon other than a rectangle (eg, a triangle or a hexagon).

The electrical resistance of each of the above-mentioned portions of the current path portion 210 (the portion located between the adjacent openings 220) can be determined based on the distance between the adjacent openings 220 (for example, Δ shown in FIG. 3). Therefore, the distance between adjacent openings 220 defining one portion of the current path portion 210 (eg, the first portion 212 shown in FIG. 3) is the other portion of the current path portion 210 (eg, the third portion shown in FIG. 3). It may be different from the distance between adjacent openings 220 defining the two portions 214). By making these intervals different, the electric resistance of the current path portion 210 can be adjusted according to the position of the light emitting portion 142.

The outer edge of the light emitting unit 142 includes edges facing in different directions, the first edge 142a and the second edge 142b in the example shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the first edge 142a and the second edge 142b are substantially linear. The light emitting device 10 includes a first insulating portion (opening 220) located along the first edge 142a and a second insulating portion (opening 220) located along the second edge 142b. Therefore, the electric resistance of the current path portion 210 can be adjusted according to the position of the light emitting portion 142, that is, the current flowing through the first edge 142a and the current flowing through the second edge 142b can be adjusted.

The electrical resistance of each current path portion 210 may be increased as it approaches the terminal 112 (FIG. 1 or 2) in the direction along the outer edge of the light emitting portion 142. That is, the current path portion 210 includes one portion (for example, the first portion 212 shown in FIG. 3) and another portion having a lower electric resistance than the one portion (for example, the second portion 214 shown in FIG. 3). ) May be included. In particular, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the width of the second portion 214 is wider than the width of the first portion 212 in the direction along the outer edge of the light emitting portion 142, and the second portion 214 is lower than the first portion 212. Has electrical resistance. Further, in the direction along the outer edge of the light emitting portion 142, the one portion (for example, the first portion 212 shown in FIG. 3) is larger than the other portion (for example, the second portion 214 shown in FIG. 3). It may be near the terminal 112 (FIG. 1 or 2).

According to the above-described configuration, the variation in the brightness of the light emitting unit 142 can be suppressed well. Specifically, by making the electric resistance of the current path portion 210 at a position near the terminal 112 larger than the electric resistance of the current path portion 210 at a position far from the terminal 112, the distance between the light emitting portion 142 and the conductive portion 160 is increased. The flowing current can be made substantially constant regardless of the position of the light emitting device 10. Therefore, the variation in the brightness of the light emitting unit 142 can be suppressed well.

The details of the cross-sectional structure of the light emitting device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

The substrate 100 has a first surface 102 and a second surface 104. The first electrode 110, the organic layer 120, the second electrode 130, the insulating layer 150, and the conductive portion 160 are located on the first surface 102 side of the substrate 100. The second surface 104 of the substrate 100 is on the opposite side of the first surface 102 of the substrate 100.

The material of the substrate 100 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, glass or resin. The substrate 100 may or may not have flexibility.

The first electrode 110, the organic layer 120, and the second electrode 130 constitute a light emitting unit 142. The organic layer 120 can emit light by the organic EL by the voltage between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 130. The light emitting device 10 may be a bottom emission type or a top emission type. When the light emitting device 10 is a bottom emission type, the light emitted from the organic layer 120 passes through the first electrode 110 and the substrate 100 and is emitted to the outside of the light emitting device 10. When the light emitting device 10 is a top emission type, the light emitted from the organic layer 120 is transmitted to the outside of the light emitting device 10 through the second electrode 130.

When the light emitting device 10 is a bottom emission type, the first electrode 110 needs to have translucency and therefore needs to contain a transparent conductive material. On the other hand, the second electrode 130 does not need to have translucency, and therefore may contain a transparent conductive material or may contain a conductive material other than the transparent conductive material.

When the light emitting device 10 is a top emission type, the first electrode 110 does not need to have translucency, and therefore may contain a transparent conductive material or may contain a conductive material other than the transparent conductive material. You may. On the other hand, the second electrode 130 needs to be translucent and therefore needs to contain a transparent conductive material.

The transparent conductive material is, for example, a metal oxide (for example, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide), IWZO (Indium Tungsten Zinc Oxide) or ZnO (Zinc Oxide)), carbon nanotube, PEDOT / PSS or transparent. It can be a metal (eg, aluminum) that has been processed to be photophilic.

The conductive material other than the transparent conductive material is, for example, a metal, particularly a metal selected from the group consisting of Al, Au, Ag, Pt, Mg, Sn, Zn and In, or an alloy of a metal selected from this group. Can be.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the light emitting device 10 is a bottom emission type. Therefore, the first electrode 110 contains a transparent conductive material, that is, a material having translucency. Therefore, the electrical resistance of the first electrode 110 (that is, the voltage drop at the first electrode 110) is large, and an auxiliary electrode (conductive portion 160) is required.

The organic layer 120 includes a light emitting layer (EML), and may appropriately include a hole injection layer (HIL), a hole transport layer (HTL), an electron transport layer (ETL), and an electron injection layer (EIL). Good. The holes injected into the EML from the first electrode 110 and the electrons injected into the EML from the second electrode 130 are recombined in the EML to emit light.

The insulating layer 150 has an opening 152. In the opening 152, the first electrode 110, the organic layer 120, and the second electrode 130 are laminated in this order.

The insulating layer 150 may be an organic insulating material (for example, polyimide) or an inorganic insulating material (for example, SiO ₂ ).

The conductive portion 160 overlaps with the first electrode 110, and in the example shown in FIG. 4, it is laminated on the first electrode 110. In another example, the conductive portion 160 may be covered with the first electrode 110.

In one example, the conductive portion 160 contains a metal, for example, MAM (Mo / Al / Mo).

The first electrode 110, the organic layer 120, the second electrode 130, and the insulating layer 150 may be covered with a sealing portion. It is possible to prevent substances (for example, water or oxygen) that can deteriorate the light emitting unit 142 from entering the light emitting unit 142.

The details of the cross-sectional structure of the light emitting device 10 will be further described with reference to FIG.

The opening 220 is not provided with the material constituting the first electrode 110. Therefore, the current flowing through the first electrode 110 does not flow through the opening 220. That is, the opening 220 functions as an insulating portion.

Next, an example of the manufacturing method of the light emitting device 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 will be described.

First, the first electrode 110 and the opening 220 are formed on the first surface 102 of the substrate 100. In one example, the first electrode 110 and the opening 220 are formed by patterning a conductive layer. In this example, the opening 220, that is, the current path portion 210 can be formed in the same process as the patterning of the first electrode 110. Therefore, the current path portion 210 can be easily formed.

Next, the insulating layer 150 is formed on the first surface 102 of the substrate 100. In one example, the insulating layer 150 is formed by patterning.

Next, the organic layer 120 is formed on the first surface 102 of the substrate 100. In one example, at least one of the layers constituting the organic layer 120 is formed by a coating process.

Next, the second electrode 130 is formed on the first surface 102 of the substrate 100. In one example, the second electrode 130 is formed by vapor deposition using a mask.

In this way, the light emitting device 10 is manufactured.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the current value supplied from the conductive unit 160 can be adjusted according to the position of the light emitting unit 142.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view of a part of the light emitting device 10 according to the second embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 3 of the first embodiment. The light emitting device 10 according to the present embodiment is the same as the light emitting device 10 according to the first embodiment except for the following points.

The current path portion 210 is a portion bent from a direction along the outer edge of the light emitting portion 142 toward a direction intersecting a direction along the outer edge of the light emitting portion 142 (specifically, for example, a first portion described later with reference to FIG. 7). 212) and the second part 214) are included. The portion of the current path portion 210 is made longer than the portion that simply extends in the direction intersecting the outer edge of the light emitting portion 142, that is, simply extends in the direction intersecting the outer edge of the light emitting portion 142. It can be made higher resistance than the part that is being used.

In the present embodiment, the electrical resistance of the current path portion 210 can be adjusted based on at least one of the width and the length of the above-mentioned portion of the current path portion 210. Similar to the first embodiment, the electric resistance of the current path portion 210 at a position near the terminal 112 (FIG. 1 or 2) may be larger than the electric resistance of the current path portion 210 at a position far from the terminal 112. ..

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a part of the current path portion 210 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 7, the second direction is a direction along the outer edge of the light emitting unit 142 (FIG. 6), and the first direction is a direction intersecting the second direction, specifically orthogonal to the second direction.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the current path portion 210 has one portion (first portion 212) between the first opening 222 and the second opening 224, and the second opening 224 and the third opening 226. It has another part (second part 214) in between.

The plurality of openings 220 include a first opening 222 and a second opening 224. The second opening 224 is aligned with the first opening 222. The first opening 222 includes a first region 220a and a second region 220b. The first region 220a extends in the first direction. The second region 220b extends in the second direction and intersects with the first region 220a. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the first opening 222 is bent from the first direction to the second direction from the first region 220a to the second region 220b. The second region 220b includes a third region 220c. The third region 220c extends in the second direction. The third region 220c of the second opening 224 is aligned with the first region 220a of the first opening 222 in the second direction and is aligned with the second region 220b of the first opening 222 in the first direction.

One bend (bend 212a) from the first direction to the second direction of the first portion 212 can be defined by the first region 220a, the second region 220b, and the third region 220c. Therefore, the first portion 212 can simply be longer than the portion extending along the first direction, that is, having a higher resistance than simply extending along the first direction. ..

The second opening 224 includes a fourth region 220d. The fourth region 220d extends in the first direction and intersects the third region 220c. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the second opening 224 is bent from the second direction to the first direction from the third region 220c to the fourth region 220d. The fourth region 220d of the second opening 224 is aligned with the second region 220b of the first opening 222 in the second direction.

The second region 220b, the third region 220c, and the fourth region 220d can define another bend (bend 212b) from the first direction to the second direction of the first portion 212. Therefore, the first portion 212 can simply be longer than the portion extending along the first direction, that is, having a higher resistance than simply extending along the first direction. ..

The second opening 224 includes a fifth region 220e. The fifth region 220e extends in the second direction from the fourth region 220d on the opposite side of the third region 220c and intersects with the fourth region 220d. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the second opening 224 is bent from the first direction to the second direction from the fourth region 220d to the fifth region 220e. The fifth region 220e of the second opening 224 is displaced toward the second region 220b of the first opening 222 with respect to the third region 220c in the first direction.

The third region 220c and the fourth region 220d of the second opening 224 define the first portion 212 together with the first region 220a and the second region 220b of the first opening 222, and the third region 220c of the second opening 224. And the fifth region 220e defines the second portion 214 together with the sixth region 220f and the seventh region 220g of the third opening 226 described later. Therefore, the second opening 224 constitutes each of the adjacent current path portions 210 (first portion 212 and second portion 214).

The plurality of openings 220 include a third opening 226. The third opening 226 is aligned with the second opening 224 on the opposite side of the first opening 222. The third opening 226 includes a sixth region 220f. The sixth region 220f extends in the second direction. The sixth region 220f of the third opening 226 is aligned with the fourth region 220d of the second opening 224 in the second direction, and is aligned with the fifth region 220e of the second opening 224 in the first direction.

The first region 220a, the second region 220b, and the third region 220c can define one bending (bending 214a) of the second portion 214 from the first direction to the second direction. Therefore, the second portion 214 can be made longer than the portion extending simply along the first direction, that is, having a higher resistance than the portion extending simply along the first direction. ..

The third opening 226 includes 220 g of the seventh region. The seventh region 220g extends in the first direction and intersects with the sixth region 220f. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the third opening 226 is bent from the second direction to the first direction from the sixth region 220f to the seventh region 220g. The seventh region 220g of the third opening 226 is aligned with the fifth region 220e of the second opening 224 in the second direction.

The fifth region 220e, the sixth region 220f, and the seventh region 220g can define another bending (bending 214b) from the first direction to the second direction of the second portion 214. Therefore, the second portion 214 can be made longer than the portion extending simply along the first direction, that is, having a higher resistance than the portion extending simply along the first direction. ..

The shapes of the first opening 222, the second opening 224, and the third opening 226 are not limited to the example shown in FIG.

In one example, the second opening 224 may have only the region corresponding to the third region 220c and the fourth region 220d among the third region 220c, the fourth region 220d, and the fifth region 220e, and the fifth region 220d. It does not have to have a region corresponding to 220e. Also in this example, the bend 212a and the bend 212b of the first portion 212 can be defined by the first opening 222 and the second opening 224.

In another example, the second opening 224 may have only the region corresponding to the third region 220c of the third region 220c, the fourth region 220d, and the fifth region 220e, and the fourth region 220d and the fifth region 220e. It is not necessary to have a region corresponding to 5 regions 220e. Also in this example, the bend 212a of the first portion 212 can be defined by the first opening 222 and the second opening 224.

Also in the present embodiment, the variation in the brightness of the light emitting unit 142 can be suppressed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of a part of the light emitting device 10 according to the third embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 3 of the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. The light emitting device 10 according to the present embodiment is the same as the light emitting device 10 according to the first embodiment except for the following points.

The light emitting device 10 includes a conductive portion 162. The conductive portion 162 is a material having an electric resistance lower than that of the first electrode 110. At least a part of the conductive portion 162 is located between the opening 220 (insulating portion) and the light emitting portion 142. Therefore, even if the current flowing from the conductive portion 160 is concentrated between the adjacent openings 220, the current can be passed between the opening 220 and the light emitting portion 142 by the conductive portion 162. Therefore, the variation in the brightness of the light emitting unit 142 can be further suppressed.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of conductive portions 162 are arranged in a direction along the outer edge of the light emitting portion 142. In other words, the single conductive section 162 does not extend continuously along the outer edge of the light emitting section 142. If a single conductive portion 162 extends continuously along the outer edge of the light emitting portion 142, a large amount of current can flow along the conductive portion 162. In this case, the current value between the light emitting unit 142 and the conductive unit 160 cannot be adjusted according to the position of the light emitting unit 142. On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the length of each conductive portion 162 in the direction along the outer edge of the light emitting portion 142 is an appropriate short length. Therefore, even if a plurality of conductive portions 162 are provided, the current value between the light emitting portion 142 and the conductive portion 160 can be adjusted according to the position of the light emitting portion 142.

In one example, the conductive portion 162 contains a metal, for example, MAM (Mo / Al / Mo). The conductive portion 162 may contain the same material as the material contained in the conductive portion 160, or may contain a material different from the material contained in the conductive portion 160.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, the conductive portion 162 and the conductive portion 160 are located on the first electrode 110. In one example, the conductive portion 162 can be formed in the same step as the step of forming the conductive portion 160 (for example, the step of forming the conductive portion 160 by patterning the conductive layer). In this example, the conductive portion 162 has a thickness substantially equal to that of the conductive portion 160.

(Modification example 1)
FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan view of a part of the light emitting device 10 according to the first modification, and corresponds to FIG. 3 of the first embodiment. The light emitting device 10 according to this modification is the same as the light emitting device 10 according to the first embodiment except for the following points.

As shown in FIG. 10, the outer edge of the substrate 100 and the outer edge of the light emitting portion 142 may be curved. The plurality of openings 220 are lined up along the curved outer edge of the light emitting portion 142.

The outer edge of the light emitting portion 142 includes an edge extending in different directions, that is, the first edge 142a and the second edge 142b in the example shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the normal line N1 of the first edge 142a and the normal line N2 of the second edge 142b are oriented in different directions. The light emitting device 10 includes a first insulating portion (opening 220) located along the first edge 142a and a second insulating portion (opening 220) located along the second edge 142b. Therefore, the electric resistance of the current path portion 210 can be adjusted according to the position of the light emitting portion 142, that is, the current flowing through the first edge 142a and the current flowing through the second edge 142b can be adjusted.

The current path portion 210 does not necessarily have to be a part of the first electrode 110. The current path portion 210 may be configured by, for example, appropriately combining the first electrode and another conductive material.

(Modification 2)
FIG. 11 is an enlarged plan view of a part of the light emitting device 10 according to the second modification, and corresponds to FIG. 3 of the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. The light emitting device 10 according to this modification is the same as the light emitting device 10 according to the first embodiment except for the following points.

The light emitting device 10 includes a plurality of insulating regions 230 instead of the plurality of openings 220. The current flowing between the light emitting portion 142 and the conductive portion 160 can be adjusted by the plurality of insulating regions 230. Therefore, also in this modification, the current value between the light emitting unit 142 and the conductive unit 160 can be adjusted according to the position of the light emitting unit 142 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

In one example, the insulating region 230 can be formed by selectively irradiating the conductive carbon nanotube (CNT) layer with ultraviolet rays. In this example, the conductive CNT layer is denatured into an insulating region by irradiation with ultraviolet rays. That is, the conductive CNT layer becomes the first electrode 110 in the region not irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and becomes the insulating region 230 in the region irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the light emitting device 10 according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the region β shown in FIG. The light emitting device 10 according to the fourth embodiment is the same as the light emitting device 10 according to the first embodiment except for the following points.

The outline of the light emitting device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The light emitting device 10 includes a light emitting unit 142, a conductive unit 160, and a current path unit 310. In the light emitting unit 142, the first electrode 110, the organic layer 120, and the second electrode 130 are laminated. The conductive portion 160 is separated from the first electrode 110 of the light emitting portion 142. The current path portion 310 is electrically connected to each of the first electrode 110 and the conductive portion 160 of the light emitting unit 142. The current path portion 310 has a first portion 312 and a second portion 314. The first portion 312 contains the same material as the first electrode 110. The second portion 314 contains the same material as the second electrode 130.

According to the above-described configuration, the current path portion 310 can be formed by a simple process. Specifically, the first portion 312 of the current path portion 310 contains the same material as the first electrode 110. In other words, in the process of forming the first electrode 110, the first portion 312 of the current path portion 310 can be formed. The second portion 314 of the current path portion 310 contains the same material as the second electrode 130. In other words, in the process of forming the second electrode 130, the second portion 314 of the current path portion 310 can be formed. In this way, the current path portion 310 can be formed by a simple process.

The first portion 312 may contain a material different from that of the first electrode 110, and the second portion 314 may contain a material different from that of the second electrode 130. The second portion 314 may contain a different material than the first portion 312.

The details of the light emitting device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

The light emitting device 10 includes a light emitting unit 142, a conductive unit 160, and a plurality of current path units 310. Similar to the example shown in FIG. 4 or 5, the light emitting portion 142, the conductive portion 160, and the current path portion 310 are located on the first surface 102 of the substrate 100.

In the light emitting unit 142, the first electrode 110, the organic layer 120, and the second electrode 130 are laminated. Similar to the example shown in FIG. 4 or 5, the first electrode 110, the organic layer 120, and the second electrode 130 are arranged in order from the first surface 102 of the substrate 100. In FIG. 13, the area occupied by the light emitting unit 142 is indicated by a broken line. The outer edge of the light emitting portion 142 may extend along the outer edge of the substrate 100 in the same manner as in the example shown in FIG. 1, or unlike the example shown in FIG. 1, the outer edge of the substrate 100 is different from the outer edge of the substrate 100. It may be determined independently.

The first electrode 110 has translucency and conductivity. The first electrode 110 can be a thin metal layer. The metal layer may contain, for example, silver or a silver alloy. The thickness of the metal layer may be, for example, 5 nm or more and 50 nm or less. When the thickness of the metal layer is at least the above-mentioned lower limit, the electric resistance of the first electrode 110 can be suppressed, and when the thickness of the metal layer is at least the above-mentioned upper limit, the transmittance of the first electrode 110 is Can be raised.

The organic layer 120 contains EML and may appropriately contain HIL, HTL, ETL and EIL.

The second electrode 130 has conductivity. The second electrode 130 can be a metal layer. The metal layer may contain, for example, aluminum.

The conductive portion 160 is connected to the terminal 112. A voltage from the outside of the light emitting device 10 is supplied to the terminal 112. Therefore, when the light emitting device 10 emits light, a current flows in the direction indicated by the black arrow in FIG.

The electrical resistance of the conductive portion 160 can be lower than the electrical resistance of the first electrode 110. The conductive portion 160 can be a metal layer. The metal layer may contain, for example, MAM (Mo / Al / Mo).

The conductive portion 160 includes a plurality of portions 160a (first portion) and a plurality of portions 160b (second portion). The plurality of portions 160a and 160b are alternately arranged along the outer edge of the light emitting portion 142. Adjacent portions 160a and 160b are connected to each other. In the adjacent portions 160a and 160b, the width of the portion 160b (second width: lateral direction of FIG. 13) is wider than the width of the portion 160a (first width: lateral direction of FIG. 13).

The planar layout of the conductive portion 160 is not limited to the examples shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. In another example, the conductive portion 160 extends along the outer edge of the light emitting portion 142 (vertical direction of FIGS. 13 and 14) with a substantially constant width (horizontal direction of FIGS. 13 and 14). May be good.

In the example shown in FIG. 14, the first portion 312 of the current path portion 310 is separated from the first electrode 110 of the light emitting portion 142, and the second portion 314a (second portion 314) (first second portion). Is electrically connected to each of the first portion 312 of the current path portion 310 and the first electrode 110 of the light emitting portion 142. In particular, in the example shown in FIG. 14, at least a part of the second portion 314a is directly connected to the first electrode 110 of the light emitting portion 142. In another example, the first portion 312 of the current path portion 310 may be directly connected to the first electrode 110 of the light emitting portion 142 without passing through the second portion 314a.

In the example shown in FIG. 14, the current path portion 310 intersects the direction along the outer edge of the light emitting portion 142 (the extending direction of the first portion 312 (vertical direction in FIG. 14)) to the direction along the outer edge of the light emitting portion 142. It has a portion bent toward (extending direction of the second portion 314a (lateral direction in FIG. 14)). It is difficult to pattern the conductive layer so as to form the bend by vapor deposition using a mask (that is, to use a mask having an opening along the bend) because the mask is easily bent by the bend of the opening. There are cases. On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 14, the bending of the current path portion 310 can be formed by the first portion 312 and the second portion 314a without using a mask having an opening along the bending. it can.

In the example shown in FIG. 14, the first portion 312 of the current path portion 310 is separated from the conductive portion 160, and the second portion 314b (second portion 314) (second second portion) is the current path portion. It is electrically connected to the first portion 312 and the conductive portion 160 of 310. In particular, in the example shown in FIG. 14, at least a part of the second portion 314b is directly connected to the conductive portion 160. In another example, the first portion 312 of the current path portion 310 may be directly connected to the conductive portion 162 without the intervention of the second portion 314b.

In the example shown in FIG. 14, the current path portion 310 intersects the direction along the outer edge of the light emitting portion 142 (the extending direction of the first portion 312 (vertical direction in FIG. 14)) to the direction along the outer edge of the light emitting portion 142. It has a portion bent toward (extending direction of the second portion 314b (lateral direction in FIG. 14)). It is difficult to pattern the conductive layer so as to form the bend by thin-film deposition using a mask (that is, to use a mask having an opening along the bend) because the mask is easily bent by the bend of the opening. There are cases. On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 14, the bending of the current path portion 310 can be formed by the first portion 312 and the second portion 314b without using a mask having an opening along the bending. it can.

In the example shown in FIG. 13, the plurality of current path units 310 are arranged along the outer edge of the light emitting unit 142. The electrical resistance of each current path portion 310 may be increased as it approaches the terminal 112 in the direction along the outer edge of the light emitting portion 142. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the plurality of current path units 310 include a first current path unit 310a and a second current path unit 310b. The second current path portion 310b has a lower electric resistance than the first current path portion 310a. The first current path portion 310a is closer to the terminal 112 than the second current path portion 310b in the direction along the outer edge of the light emitting portion 142. Therefore, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the current value between the light emitting unit 142 and the conductive unit 160 can be adjusted according to the position of the light emitting unit 142.

The electrical resistance of each current path portion 310 can be adjusted by various conditions, for example, the length of the current path portion 310 (for example, the length of the first portion 312 (vertical direction in FIG. 13)). In the example shown in FIG. 13, the length of the first portion 312 of each current path portion 310 becomes longer as it approaches the terminal 112 in the direction along the outer edge of the light emitting portion 142.

The electrical resistance per unit length (vertical direction in FIG. 13) in the first portion 312 may be larger than the electrical resistance per unit length (horizontal direction in FIG. 13) in the second portion 314. The electrical resistance per unit length in each of the first portion 312 and the second portion 314 can be adjusted, for example, according to the material and cross-sectional area of each of the first portion 312 and the second portion 314. The length of the second portion 314 (the sum of the length of the second portion 314a and the length of the second portion 314b) may be equal in each current path portion 310, and the length of the first portion 312 is each. It may be different depending on the current path portion 310. In this example, the electrical resistance of each current path portion 310 can be adjusted by the length of the first portion 312.

The portion 160a of the conductive portion 160 is electrically connected to the current path portion 310, whereas the portion 160b of the conductive portion 160 is not electrically connected to the current path portion 310. That is, the width of the portion 160a of the conductive portion 160 (horizontal direction in FIGS. 13 and 14) is sufficient to form the current path portion 310 between the portion 160a of the conductive portion 160 and the first electrode 110 of the light emitting portion 142. It is narrowed to secure a large space. On the other hand, the width of the portion 160b of the conductive portion 160 (horizontal direction in FIGS. 13 and 14) forms the current path portion 310 between the portion 160b of the conductive portion 160 and the first electrode 110 of the light emitting portion 142. It is not necessary to secure a space for the space, and the portion 160b of the conductive portion 160 is widened in order to suppress the electrical resistance.

15 and 16 are diagrams for explaining an example of the manufacturing method of the light emitting device 10 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

In this example, the light emitting device 10 is manufactured as follows.

First, as shown in FIG. 15, the conductive portion 160 is formed, and the first electrode 110 and the first portion 312 are formed. In one example, the conductive portion 160 may be formed by etching a metal layer (eg, MAM). The first electrode 110 and the first portion 312 are formed by vapor deposition of a metal layer using a mask. That is, the first electrode 110 and the first portion 312 are formed in the same process. Therefore, the first electrode 110 and the first portion 312 contain the same material and have substantially the same thickness. The first electrode 110 and the first portion 312 may be formed after the conductive portion 160 is formed, or the conductive portion 160 may be formed after the first electrode 110 and the first portion 312 are formed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 16, the organic layer 120 is formed. The organic layer 120 can be formed by various processes (eg, vapor deposition or coating).

Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the second electrode 130 and the second portion 314 are formed. The second electrode 130 and the second portion 314 are formed by vapor deposition of a metal layer using a mask. That is, the second electrode 130 and the second portion 314 are formed in the same process. Therefore, the second electrode 130 and the second portion 314 contain the same material and have substantially the same thickness.

In this way, the light emitting device 10 is manufactured.

Although the embodiments and examples have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are examples of the present invention, and various configurations other than the above can be adopted.

This application claims priority based on Japanese application Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-207859 filed on October 27, 2017, and incorporates all of its disclosures herein.

Claims (24)

With the first electrode
The organic layer and the second electrode, which are laminated on a part of the first electrode and constitute a light emitting portion,
A conductive portion that overlaps with the other portion of the first electrode and has a lower electrical resistance than the first electrode.
The terminal connected to the conductive part and
With
The first electrode has a current path portion located between the light emitting portion and the conductive portion.
The current path portion includes a first portion and a second portion having a lower electrical resistance than the first portion.
A light emitting device in which the first portion is closer to the terminal than the second portion in a direction along the outer edge of the light emitting portion. In the light emitting device according to claim 1,
Each of the first portion and the second portion is a light emitting device defined by a region in which a material constituting the first electrode is not provided. In the light emitting device according to claim 1 or 2.
The first electrode has a plurality of openings and has a plurality of openings.
Each of the first portion and the second portion is a light emitting device defined by adjacent openings. In the light emitting device according to claim 3,
A light emitting device in which the distance between adjacent openings defining the first portion is different from the distance between adjacent openings defining the second portion. In the light emitting device according to claim 3,
The plurality of openings include a first opening and a second opening alongside the first opening.
The first opening includes a first region extending in the first direction and a second region extending in the second direction intersecting the first direction and intersecting the first region.
The second opening includes a third region.
A light emitting device in which the third region of the second opening is aligned with the first region of the first opening in the second direction and is aligned with the second region of the first opening in the first direction. In the light emitting device according to claim 5,
The second opening includes a fourth region that extends in the first direction and intersects the third region.
The fourth region of the second opening is a light emitting device that is aligned with the second region of the first opening in the second direction. In the light emitting device according to claim 6,
The second opening includes a fifth region extending from the fourth region in the second direction and intersecting with the fourth region on the side opposite to the third region.
A light emitting device in which the fifth region of the second opening is displaced toward the second region of the first opening with respect to the third region in the first direction. In the light emitting device according to claim 7,
The plurality of openings include a third opening that is on the opposite side of the first opening and is aligned with the second opening.
The third opening includes a sixth region.
A light emitting device in which the sixth region of the third opening is aligned with the fourth region of the second opening in the second direction and is aligned with the fifth region of the second opening in the first direction. In the light emitting device according to claim 8,
The third opening includes a seventh region extending in the first direction and intersecting the sixth region.
The seventh region of the third opening is a light emitting device that is aligned with the fifth region of the second opening in the second direction. In the light emitting device according to any one of claims 5 to 9.
The second direction is a light emitting device that is a direction along the outer edge of the light emitting portion. In the light emitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
The conductive portion is a light emitting device extending along the outer edge of the light emitting portion. In the light emitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
The first electrode is a light emitting device containing a translucent material. In the light emitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
A material having a lower electrical resistance than the first electrode,
The insulating part located in the current path part and
With
A light emitting device in which at least a part of the material is located between the insulating part and the light emitting part. With the first electrode
The organic layer and the second electrode, which are laminated on a part of the first electrode and constitute a light emitting portion,
A conductive portion that overlaps with the other portion of the first electrode and has a lower electrical resistance than the first electrode.
With
The first electrode has a first opening and a second opening along with the first opening between the light emitting portion and the conductive portion.
The first opening includes a first region extending in the first direction and a second region extending in the second direction intersecting the first direction and intersecting the first region.
The second opening includes a third region.
A light emitting device in which the third region of the second opening is aligned with the first region of the first opening in the second direction and is aligned with the second region of the first opening in the first direction. With the first electrode
The organic layer and the second electrode, which are laminated on a part of the first electrode and constitute a light emitting portion,
A conductive portion that overlaps with the other portion of the first electrode and has a lower electrical resistance than the first electrode.
A current path portion located between the light emitting portion and the conductive portion,
The first insulating part and the second insulating part located in the current path part, respectively,
With
The outer edge of the light emitting portion includes a first edge and a second edge extending in a direction different from the first edge.
The first insulating portion is located along the first edge, and the second insulating portion is a light emitting device located along the second edge. A light emitting part in which the first electrode, the organic layer and the second electrode are laminated, and
The conductive portion of the light emitting portion separated from the first electrode and
A current path portion electrically connected to each of the first electrode and the conductive portion of the light emitting portion,
With
The current path portion is
A first portion containing the same material as the first electrode and
A second portion containing the same material as the second electrode,
A light emitting device having. In the light emitting device according to claim 16,
The first portion of the current path portion is separated from the first electrode of the light emitting portion.
The second portion of the current path portion is a light emitting device including a first second portion electrically connected to each of the first portion of the current path portion and the first electrode of the light emitting portion. In the light emitting device according to claim 16 or 17.
The first portion of the current path portion is separated from the conductive portion.
The second portion of the current path portion is a light emitting device including a second second portion electrically connected to each of the first portion and the conductive portion of the current path portion. In the light emitting device according to any one of claims 16 to 18.
Further provided with terminals connected to the conductive portion,
The current path section includes a first current path section and a second current path section having an electric resistance lower than that of the first current path section.
A light emitting device in which the first current path portion is closer to the terminal than the second current path portion in a direction along the outer edge of the light emitting portion. In the light emitting device according to any one of claims 16 to 19.
The conductive portion is a light emitting device including a first portion having a first width and a second portion having a second width wider than the first width. In the light emitting device according to claim 20,
The first portion of the conductive portion is electrically connected to the current path portion.
The second portion of the conductive portion is a light emitting device that is not electrically connected to the current path portion. In the light emitting device according to any one of claims 16 to 21,
A light emitting device in which the first electrode of the light emitting portion and the first portion of the current path portion are metal layers. A light emitting part in which the first electrode, the organic layer and the second electrode are laminated, and
The conductive portion of the light emitting portion separated from the first electrode and
A current path portion electrically connected to each of the first electrode and the conductive portion of the light emitting portion,
With
The current path portion is
The first portion of the light emitting portion separated from the first electrode and
A second portion that is directly connected to the first electrode of the light emitting portion and contains a material different from that of the first portion.
A light emitting device having. In the light emitting device according to claim 23,
The first portion is a light emitting device having a higher electrical resistance per unit length than the second portion.

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