KR100556697B1 - Organic Electro Luminescence Device And Fabricating Method Thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an organic electroluminescent device and a method of manufacturing the same, which can reduce the resistance of the signal electrode and simplify the module process.

An organic electroluminescent device according to the present invention includes an anode electrode formed on a substrate, a cathode electrode intersecting the anode electrode with an organic light emitting layer therebetween, an insulating film formed on the cathode electrode and exposing the cathode electrode; A dummy electrode connected to the exposed cathode electrode, a first pad extending from the dummy electrode to supply a first driving signal to the cathode through the dummy electrode, and extending from the anode electrode to the anode electrode; And a second pad that supplies two driving signals and is positioned in line with the first pad.

Description

Organic electroluminescent device and manufacturing method therefor {Organic Electro Luminescence Device And Fabricating Method Thereof}             

1 is a plan view illustrating a conventional organic EL device.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an organic light emitting diode cut along the line “II-II ′” in FIG. 1.

3 is a plan view of an organic light emitting diode according to another exemplary embodiment.

4 is a plan view illustrating an organic EL device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an organic light emitting diode cut along the line “VV ′” in FIG. 4.

6A to 6G are cross-sectional views illustrating a method of manufacturing the organic electroluminescent device illustrated in FIG. 5.

7 is a plan view illustrating an organic light emitting diode according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an organic light emitting diode cut along the line “Ⅷ-Ⅷ” in FIG. 7.

9A and 9B are cross-sectional views illustrating a method of manufacturing the organic EL device illustrated in FIG. 8.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

2,32 substrate 4,34 anode electrode

6,36,60 Insulation film 8,38 Bulkhead

10,40 organic light emitting layer 12,42 cathode electrode

62 dummy electrode 64 contact hole

The present invention relates to an organic electroluminescent device, and more particularly, to an organic electroluminescent device and a method of manufacturing the same, which can reduce the resistance of the signal electrode and simplify the module process.

Recently, various flat panel displays have been developed to reduce weight and volume, which are disadvantages of cathode ray tubes. Flat display devices include Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Field Emission Display (FED), Plasma Display Panel (PDP) and Electro-luminescence (EL) display. Element; PDP is most advantageous for large screens because of its relatively simple structure and manufacturing process, but it has the disadvantages of low luminous efficiency, low luminance and high power consumption. LCDs have difficulty in large screens due to the use of semiconductor processes, but demand is increasing as they are mainly used as display devices in notebook computers. However, LCDs are difficult and large in power consumption due to the backlight unit. In addition, LCD has a disadvantage of high light loss and a narrow viewing angle due to optical elements such as a polarizing filter, a prism sheet, and a diffusion plate. In contrast, EL display devices are classified into inorganic ELs and organic ELs, and have advantages of fast response speed and high luminous efficiency, brightness, and viewing angle. The organic EL display element can display an image with a high luminance of tens of thousands [cd / m 2] at a voltage of about 10 [V].

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a conventional organic EL display element, and Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view showing an organic EL display element cut along the line " II-II '"

1 and 2, a conventional organic EL display element includes an image display portion 28 having an EL cell formed thereon, and a pad portion 26 for supplying a driving signal to the driving electrodes of the image display portion 28. As shown in FIG.

The image display unit 28 includes an insulating film 6, a partition 8, and an organic light emitting layer 10 formed between the anode electrode 4 and the cathode electrode 12 that cross each other insulated from each other.

A plurality of anode electrodes 4 are spaced apart at predetermined intervals on the substrate 2. The anode electrode 4 is supplied with a first driving signal for emitting electrons (holes).

The insulating film 6 is formed in a lattice form on the substrate 2 on which the anode electrode 4 is formed so that an opening is exposed for each EL cell region.

The partition 8 is formed to intersect the anode electrode 4, and is formed side by side with a predetermined distance between the cathode electrode 12 to distinguish adjacent EL cells. That is, the partition 8 separates the organic light emitting layer 10 and the cathode electrode 12 of the adjacent EL cell. In addition, the partition wall 8 is formed in an overhag structure in which the upper end portion has a wider width than the lower end portion.

The organic light emitting layer 10 is made of an organic compound on the insulating film 6. That is, the organic light emitting layer 10 is formed by laminating a hole transporting layer, a light emitting layer, and an electron transporting layer on the insulating film 6.

A plurality of cathode electrodes 12 are formed on the organic light emitting layer 10 to be spaced apart at predetermined intervals so as to cross the anode electrode 4. In addition, a second driving signal for emitting holes (electrons) is supplied to the cathode electrode 12.

The pad part 26 includes a plurality of first pads 22 extending from the plurality of anode electrodes 4 and a plurality of second pads 20 extending from the plurality of cathode electrodes 12.

The first pad 22 is positioned below the substrate 2 and is connected to the TCP in which the first driving circuit for generating the first driving signal is mounted to supply the first driving signal to each anode electrode 4.

The second pad 20 is formed on both sides of the first pads 22 with the plurality of first pads 22 interposed therebetween. The second pad 20 is connected to a TCP in which a second driving circuit for generating a second driving signal is mounted, and supplies a second driving signal to each cathode electrode 12.

In the organic EL device, when the first driving signal is applied to the anode electrode 4 through the first pad 22, and the second driving signal is applied to the cathode electrode 12 through the second pad 20, electrons and Holes are emitted, and electrons and holes emitted from the anode electrode 4 and the cathode electrode 12 generate visible light while recombining in the organic light emitting layer 10. At this time, the generated visible light comes out through the anode electrode 4 to display a predetermined image or image.

Meanwhile, in the conventional organic EL device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the number of FPC parts can be reduced because the second pads 20 are positioned adjacent to each other with the first pads 22 interposed therebetween. As a result, the cost can be reduced, thereby simplifying the subsequent module process. However, in order for the first and second pads 22 and 20 to be positioned side by side, a driving electrode including one of the cathode electrode 12 and the anode electrode 4 is formed in a stripe shape in the pixel area 28. It is formed in the region 26 is bent in the "L" shape. Accordingly, the line resistance of the driving electrode having a relatively long length is relatively increased. Distortion of the driving signal supplied to the longer driving electrode is caused by the increased line resistance, resulting in a decrease in luminance.

In order to solve this problem, the organic EL device shown in FIG. 3 has been proposed.

The pad part 26 of the organic electroluminescent device illustrated in FIG. 3 is formed to surround the image display part 28, and extends from the first pad 22 extended from the anode electrode 4 and the cathode electrode 12. And a second pad 20.

The first pad 22 is positioned below the substrate 2 and is connected to the TCP in which the first driving circuit for generating the first driving signal is mounted to supply the first driving signal to each anode electrode 4.

The second pad 20 is positioned on the left side of the substrate 2 and is connected to the TCP in which the second driving circuit for generating the second driving signal is mounted to supply the second driving signal to each cathode electrode 12.

As such, each of the anode electrode 4 and the cathode electrode 12 illustrated in FIG. 3 is connected to the first and second pads 22 and 20 in the form of a stripe, so that the line resistance of each driving electrode is relatively high. Lower brightness improves. However, since the FPCs to be connected to the first and second pads 22 and 20 are to be provided, respectively, the cost increases and the module assembly process becomes complicated, resulting in a low yield.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention relates to an organic electroluminescent device and a method of manufacturing the same, which can reduce the resistance of the signal electrode and simplify the module process.

In order to achieve the above objects, the organic electroluminescent device according to the present invention is an anode electrode formed on a substrate, a cathode electrode intersecting the anode electrode and the organic light emitting layer therebetween, and formed on the cathode electrode and the cathode An insulating film exposing the electrode, a dummy electrode connected to the exposed cathode electrode, a first pad extending from the dummy electrode to supply a first driving signal to the cathode electrode through the dummy electrode, and at the anode electrode And a second pad extended to supply a second driving signal to the anode and positioned in line with the first pad.

The insulating film is characterized by exposing one end of the cathode electrode.

The dummy electrode may be formed in an “L” shape.

The cathode electrode is exposed through a contact hole penetrating the insulating film.

The dummy electrode may be formed in a stripe shape.

The first and second pads may be alternately positioned.

In order to achieve the above object, a method of manufacturing an organic EL device according to the present invention comprises the steps of forming an anode electrode on a substrate, forming a cathode electrode intersecting the anode electrode and the organic light emitting layer therebetween, Forming an insulating film exposing the cathode electrode on the cathode electrode, forming a dummy electrode connected to the exposed cathode electrode, extending from the dummy electrode to the cathode electrode through the dummy electrode; Forming a first pad for supplying a first driving signal; and forming a second pad extending from the anode electrode to supply a second driving signal to the anode electrode and positioned in line with the first pad; Characterized in that.

The forming of the insulating film may include forming the insulating film so that one end of the cathode electrode is exposed.

The dummy electrode may be formed in an “L” shape.

The cathode electrode is characterized in that exposed through the contact hole penetrating the insulating film.

The dummy electrode may be formed in a stripe shape.

The first and second pads may be alternately formed.

Other objects and features of the present invention in addition to the above object will be apparent from the description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9B.

4 is a plan view illustrating an organic electroluminescent device according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an organic electroluminescent device taken along a line “V-V ′” in FIG. 4.

4 and 5, the organic EL display device according to the present invention includes an image display portion and a pad portion for supplying driving signals to driving electrodes of the image display portion.

The image display part includes a first insulating film 36, a partition wall 38, and an organic light emitting layer 40 formed between the anode electrode 34 and the cathode electrode 42 that cross each other insulated from each other. In addition, the image display unit further includes a dummy electrode 62 that is insulated from each other with the cathode electrode 42 and the second insulating layer 60 interposed therebetween.

A plurality of anode electrodes 34 are spaced apart at predetermined intervals on the substrate 32. The anode electrode 34 is supplied with a first driving signal for emitting electrons (holes).

The first insulating film 36 is formed in a lattice form on the substrate 32 on which the anode electrode 34 is formed so that an opening is exposed for each EL cell region.

The partition wall 38 is formed to intersect the anode electrode 34 and is formed side by side with the cathode electrode 42 at a predetermined distance therebetween to distinguish adjacent EL cells. That is, the partition wall 38 separates the organic light emitting layer 40 and the cathode electrode 42 of the adjacent EL cell. In addition, the partition wall 38 is formed in an overhag structure in which the upper end portion has a wider width than the lower end portion.

The organic light emitting layer 40 is made of an organic compound on the insulating film 36. That is, the organic light emitting layer 40 is formed by laminating a hole transporting layer, a light emitting layer, and an electron transporting layer on the insulating film 36.

A plurality of cathode electrodes 42 are formed in a stripe shape on the organic light emitting layer 40 to be spaced apart at predetermined intervals to cross the anode electrode 34, and at least one end of the cathode electrode 42 is disposed on the cathode electrode 42. It is formed to be exposed by the second insulating film 60 formed in the. One end of the exposed cathode electrode 42 is connected to the dummy electrode 62 formed on the second insulating layer 60. Each dummy electrode 62 is formed in an “L” shape so as to be connected to each cathode electrode 42. The second pad 50 extending from the dummy electrode 62 is positioned between the first pads 52. In addition, the cathode electrode 42 has a second driving signal for releasing holes (electrons) generated in the driving IC through the second pad 50 extending from the dummy electrode 62 connected to the cathode electrode 42. Supplied.

The pad part includes a plurality of first pads 52 extending from the plurality of anode electrodes 34 and a plurality of second pads 50 extending from the dummy electrode 62 connected to the plurality of cathode electrodes 42. .

The first pad 52 is positioned below the substrate 32 and is connected to the TCP in which the first driving circuit for generating the first driving signal is mounted to supply the first driving signal to each anode electrode 34.

The second pad 50 is alternately positioned with the first pad 52 below the substrate 32. The second pad 50 is connected to the TCP in which the second driving circuit for generating the second driving signal is mounted to supply the second driving signal to the cathode electrode 42 through the dummy electrode 62.

In the organic EL device, a first driving signal is applied to the anode electrode 34 through the first pad 52, and a second driving is applied to the cathode electrode 42 through the second pad 50 and the dummy electrode 62. When a signal is applied, electrons and holes are emitted, and electrons and holes emitted from the anode electrode 34 and the cathode electrode 42 are recombined in the organic light emitting layer 40 to generate visible light. At this time, the generated visible light is emitted to the outside through the anode electrode 34 to display a predetermined image or image.

As described above, in the organic EL device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the second pad 50 extended from the dummy electrode 62 connected to the cathode electrode 42 is the first pad extended from the anode 34. It will be located between the (52). That is, since the first and second pads 52 and 50 are located side by side on one side, the number of parts of the FPC can be reduced, thereby reducing the cost and simplifying the module assembly process. In addition, since the length of the cathode electrode 42 is the same as the length of the cathode electrode shown in FIG. 1, it is relatively shorter than the length of the cathode electrode shown in FIG. 3, so that the resistance of the cathode electrode can be lowered relatively. It can prevent the distortion phenomenon.

6A to 6G are cross-sectional views showing the manufacturing method of the organic EL element shown in FIG.

A transparent conductive material, such as indium tin oxide, is deposited on the substrate 32 made of soda lime or hardened glass, and then photolithography and etching are performed. By patterning, the anode electrode 34 is formed. In order to reduce the resistance of the anode electrode 34, a bus electrode having a good conductivity may be formed at the edge of the anode electrode 34.

After the first photosensitive insulating material is entirely coated on the substrate 32 on which the anode electrode 34 is formed, and then patterned by an exposure and development process, the first insulating film (not shown in FIG. 6B) may be used. 36) is formed.

After the second photosensitive insulating material is entirely coated on the substrate 30 on which the insulating film 36 is formed, the second photosensitive insulating material is patterned by an exposure and development process to form a partition 38 as illustrated in FIG. 6C. . The partition wall 38 is formed in the non-light emitting area with a predetermined interval therebetween in the direction crossing the anode electrode 34.

The organic light emitting layer 40 is formed by stacking a hole transport layer, an emitting layer, and an electron transport layer on the substrate 32 on which the partition wall 38 is formed. do.

As the aluminum-based metal is entirely deposited on the substrate 32 on which the organic light emitting layer 40 is formed, as shown in FIG. 6E, the cathode electrode 42 separated for each pixel is formed by the partition wall 38.

On the substrate 32 on which the cathode electrode 42 is formed, an insulating material including SiO ₂ , SiN x, or the like is deposited on the entire surface by PECVD to form a second insulating layer 60. Here, the PECVD deposition method does not affect the organic light emitting layer 40 because the deposition process is performed at a process temperature of about 400 ° C. or less. In addition, unlike the sputtering deposition method, the PECVD deposition method is performed with particles having relatively low energy, thereby minimizing damage to the cathode electrode. In the PECVD deposition method, the organic light emitting layer deposition chamber and the second insulating film deposition chamber are configured in-line so that all processes can be performed in a vacuum, so that the interface between the organic light emitting layer and the second insulating film can receive gas and particles. Can minimize the contamination.

Thereafter, the insulating film 60 is patterned by a photolithography process and an etching process to expose at least one end of the cathode electrode 42 as shown in FIG. 6F.

After the conductive material is entirely deposited on the substrate 32 on which the second insulating layer 60 is formed, the dummy electrode is in contact with the cathode electrode 42 as shown in FIG. 6G by patterning by a photolithography process and an etching process. 62) is formed.

FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating an organic EL device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an organic EL device cut along the line “′-′ ′ in FIG. 7.

7 and 8, the organic EL device according to the second embodiment of the present invention has a cathode electrode and a dummy through a contact hole exposing a second insulating film in comparison with the organic EL device shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. It has the same components except that the electrodes are in contact.

A plurality of cathode electrodes 42 are formed in a stripe shape on the organic light emitting layer 40 to be spaced apart at predetermined intervals so as to cross the anode electrode 34. The cathode electrode 42 is exposed through the contact hole 64 penetrating the second insulating film 60. The exposed cathode electrode 42 is connected to the dummy electrode 62 formed in a stripe shape on the second insulating layer 60. The second pad 50 extending from each dummy electrode 62 is positioned between the first pads 52. In addition, the cathode electrode 42 is supplied with a second driving signal for releasing holes (electrons) generated by the driving IC through the second pad 50 extending from the dummy electrode 62.

The pad part includes a plurality of first pads 52 extending from the plurality of anode electrodes 34 and a plurality of second pads 50 extending from the dummy electrode 62 connected to the plurality of cathode electrodes 42. .

The first pad 52 is positioned below the substrate 32 and is connected to the TCP in which the first driving circuit for generating the first driving signal is mounted to supply the first driving signal to each anode electrode 34.

The second pad 50 is alternately positioned with the first pad 52 below the substrate 32. The second pad 50 is connected to the TCP in which the second driving circuit for generating the second driving signal is mounted to supply the second driving signal to the cathode electrode 42 through the dummy electrode 62.

In the organic EL device, when the first driving signal is applied to the anode electrode 34 through the first pad 52 and the second driving signal is applied to the cathode electrode 42 through the second pad 50, electrons and Holes are emitted, and electrons and holes emitted from the anode electrode 34 and the cathode electrode 42 generate visible light while recombining in the organic light emitting layer 40. At this time, the generated visible light is emitted to the outside through the anode electrode 34 to display a predetermined image or image.

As described above, in the organic EL device according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first pad extended from the dummy electrode connected to the cathode electrode and the contact hole is positioned between the second pads extended from the anode electrode. That is, since the first and second pads are located side by side on the same side, the number of parts of the FPC can be reduced, thereby reducing costs and simplifying the module assembly process. In addition, since the length of the cathode electrode 42 is the same as the length of the cathode electrode shown in FIG. 3, it is relatively shorter than the length of the cathode electrode shown in FIG. 1, so that the resistance of the cathode electrode can be lowered relatively. It can prevent the distortion phenomenon.

9A and 9B are sectional views showing the manufacturing method of the organic EL element shown in FIG.

First, an insulating material including SiO ₂ , SiN x, or the like is entirely deposited on the substrate 32 on which the cathode electrode 42 is formed by PECVD, thereby forming a second insulating layer 60. Here, the PECVD deposition method does not affect the organic light emitting layer because the deposition process is performed at a process temperature of about 400 ° C. or less. In addition, unlike the sputtering deposition method, the PECVD deposition method is performed with particles having relatively low energy, thereby minimizing damage to the cathode electrode 42. In this PECVD deposition method, the organic light emitting layer deposition chamber and the second insulating film deposition chamber are configured in-line so that all processes can be performed in a vacuum to receive an interface between the organic light emitting layer 40 and the second insulating film 60. Contamination by gas and particles can be minimized.

Thereafter, the second insulating film 60 is patterned by a photolithography process and an etching process to form a contact hole 64 as shown in FIG. 9A. The contact hole 64 passes through the second insulating layer 60 to expose the cathode electrode 42.

Then, the conductive material is deposited on the substrate 32 on which the second insulating film 60 is formed, and then patterned by photolithography and etching to form a dummy electrode 62 as shown in FIG. 9B. . Each dummy electrode 62 is in electrical contact with each cathode electrode 42 through the contact hole 64.

As described above, the organic electroluminescent device and the method of manufacturing the same according to the present invention place a first pad extended from the dummy electrode connected through the cathode and the contact hole between the second pads extended from the anode electrode. . That is, since the first and second pads are located side by side on the same side, the number of parts of the FPC can be reduced, thereby reducing costs and simplifying the module assembly process. In addition, since the resistance of the cathode electrode can be relatively lowered, it is possible to prevent distortion such as signal delay.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification but should be defined by the claims.

Claims (12)

An anode formed on the substrate, A cathode electrode intersecting the anode electrode with the organic light emitting layer interposed therebetween; An insulating film formed on the cathode and exposing the cathode; A dummy electrode connected to the exposed cathode electrode; A first pad extending from the anode to supply a first driving signal to the anode; And a second pad extending from the dummy electrode to supply a second driving signal to the cathode electrode through the dummy electrode and positioned in a line with the first pad. The method of claim 1, And the insulating layer exposes one end of the cathode electrode. The method of claim 2, The dummy electrode is an organic light emitting device, characterized in that formed in the "L" shape. The method of claim 1, And the cathode electrode is exposed through a contact hole penetrating through the insulating layer. The method of claim 4, wherein And the dummy electrode is formed in a stripe shape. The method of claim 1, And the first and second pads are alternately positioned. Forming an anode on the substrate; Forming a cathode electrode intersecting the anode electrode with the organic light emitting layer therebetween; Forming an insulating film exposing the cathode electrode on the cathode electrode; Forming a dummy electrode connected to the exposed cathode electrode; Forming a first pad extending from the anode to supply a first driving signal to the anode; Forming a second pad extending from the dummy electrode to supply a second driving signal to the cathode electrode through the dummy electrode and positioned in line with the first pad; Manufacturing method. The method of claim 7, wherein Forming the insulating film And forming the insulating layer to expose one end of the cathode electrode. The method of claim 8, The dummy electrode is a method of manufacturing an organic light emitting device, characterized in that formed in the "L" shape. The method of claim 7, wherein And said cathode electrode is exposed through a contact hole penetrating said insulating film. The method of claim 10, The dummy electrode may be formed in a stripe shape. The method of claim 7, wherein And the first and second pads are alternately formed.

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