Light emitting device and method of manufacturing the same

A light emitting device is provided in which reduction of recombinations in a light emitting element is prevented by using a low-resistant electrode structure. A light emitting device of the present invention has a light emitting element composed of first and second electrodes and an organic compound layer that is sandwiched between the first and second electrodes, and the device is characterized in that one of the first and second electrodes has a transparent conductive film, a transparent conductive resin formed on the transparent conductive film, and a plurality of conductors formed on the transparent conductive resin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a light emitting device with a light emitting, element that has a film containing an organic compound that emits fluorescent light or phosphorescent tight upon application of electric field (the film is hereinafter referred to as organic compound layer), and to a method of manufacturing the light emitting device.

In the present invention, a light emitting element is an element that has an organic compound layer between a pair of electrodes and the term light emitting device includes an image display device which uses this organic light emitting element. Also, the following modules are all included in the definition of the light emitting device: a module obtained by attaching to a light emitting element a connector such as an anisotropic conductive film (FPC: flexible printed circuit), a TAB (tape automated bonding) tape, or a TCP (tape carrier package); a module in which a printed wiring board is provided at an end of the TAB tape or the TCP; and a module in which an IC (integrated circuit) is directly mounted to a light emitting element by the COG (chip on glass) method.

2. Description of the Related Art

Light emitting devices, which are characterized by their thinness and light-weight, fast response, and direct current low voltage driving, are expected to develop into next generation flat panel displays. Among light emitting, devices, ones having light emitting elements arranged to form a matrix are considered to be particularly superior to conventional liquid crystal display devices for their wide viewing angle and excellent visibility.

It is said that light emitting, elements emit light through the following mechanism: a voltage is applied between a pair of electrodes that sandwich all organic compound layer, electrons injected from the cathode and holes injected from the anode are re-combined at the luminescent center of the organic compound layer to form molecular excitons, and the molecular excitons return to the base state while releasing energy to cause the light emitting element to emit light. Excitation state includes a singlet exiton and a triplet exiton, and it is considered that luminescence can be made through either excitation state.

Light emitting devices having light emitting elements arranged to form a matrix can employ passive matrix driving (simple matrix light emitting devices), active matrix driving (active matrix light emitting devices), or other driving methods. If the pixel density is large, active matrix light emitting devices in which each pixel has a switch are considered to be advantageous because they can be driven with low voltage.

In an active matrix light emitting device, a thin film transistor (hereinafter referred to as TFT) is formed on an insulating surface, an interlayer insulating film is formed over the TFT, and an anode of the light emitting element is formed to he electrically connected to the TFT through the interlayer insulating film. The material suitable for the anode is a transparent conductive material having a large work function, typically, ITO (indium tin oxide).

An organic compound layer is formed on the anode. The organic compound layer includes a hole injection layer, a hole transporting layer, a light emitting layer, a blocking layer, an electron transporting layer, an electron injection layer, etc. The organic compound layer may be a single layer that emits light, or may have a combination of the above-mentioned layers.

After forming the organic compound layer, a cathode is formed to complete the light emitting element. The laminate of the anode, cathode, and organic compound layer corresponds to the light emitting element. The material used to form the cathode is a metal having a small work function (typically a metal belonging to Group 1 or 2 in the periodic table) or an alloy containing the metal.

A first insulating layer is formed from an organic resin material to cover an end of the anode. The first insulating layer is provided to prevent short circuit between the anode and the cathode that is formed after the anode is formed.

The transparent conductive film used as the anode transmits visible light and therefore allows light emitted from the organic compound layer to pass therethrough. However, the transparent conductive film has a drawback of high resistivity compared to the resistivity of a metal. High film resistance of the anode formed of the transparent conductive film brings difficulty to injection of carriers and lowers the number of carriers that are re-combined in the light emitting element. Less recombinations in the light emitting element correspond to the light emission mechanism of the light emitting element ceasing to function. As a result, the light emitting element cannot emit light at a desired luminance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is therefore to provide a light emitting device in which reduction of recombinations in a light emitting element is prevented by employing a low-resistant electrode structure.

According to the present invention, a light emitting device has a light emitting element composed of first and second electrodes and an organic compound layer that is sandwiched between the first and second electrodes, and the device is characterized in that one of the first and second electrodes has a transparent conductive film, a transparent conductive resin formed on the transparent conductive film, and a plurality of conductors formed on the transparent conductive resin. The present invention obtains the effect of lowering the resistance of tile transparent conductive film by forming the plural conductors in the first or second electrode. In this specification, an electrode above the organic compound layer is called a first electrode (upper electrode) and an electrode below the organic compound layer is called a second electrode (lower electrode). The term transparent conductive resin refers to a conductive resin that has 75% or higher light transmittance, preferably, 90% or higher.

According to the present invention, a light emitting device has a plurality of light emitting elements each composed of first and second electrodes and an organic compound layer that is sandwiched between the first and second electrodes, and the device is characterized in that one of the first and second electrodes has a transparent conductive film, a transparent conductive resin formed on the transparent conductive film, and a plurality of conductors formed on the transparent conductive resin, and that a partition wall is formed between adjacent light emitting elements.

According to the present invention, the light emitting device is characterized in that an opening is formed between adjacent conductors, and that light emitted from the organic compound layer reaches outside through the opening.

When a light emitting device has an opening, a voltage cannot uniformly be applied to its organic compound layer to make it impossible to obtain sufficient light emission. However, this is not a problem in the light emitting device of the present invention, because the transparent conductive resin is formed to be brought into contact with the transparent conductive film and with the cover member having the plural conductors and opening. In other words, in the present invention, the electric field is uniformly applied to the organic compound layer because the present invention can make the transparent conductive resin function as a part of the electrodes. The transparent conductive resin also has a function of bonding the transparent conductive film to the plural conductors and the cover member. In this specification, the term cover member refers to a substrate that faces an element substrate and is bonded to the element substrate with a seal pattern sandwiched between the substrates.

The light emitting device of the present invention is characterized in that a seal pattern is formed outside the light emitting element and that an opening is formed in the seal pattern. With the opening formed in the seal pattern, the transparent conductive resin can be injected through the opening.

According to the present invention, a light emitting, device has a light emitting element electrically connected to a TFT, and is characterized in that an insulating, film, a transparent conductive film, a transparent conductive resin, and a plurality of conductors are formed above a gate electrode of the TFT, or above a gate wiring line connected to the TFT, or above a source wiring line connected to the TFT, or above a drain wiring line connected to the TFT, or above a current supplying line connected to the TFT, the transparent conductive film being formed on the insulating film, the transparent conductive resin being formed on the transparent conductive film, the plural conductors being formed on the transparent conductive resin. Having the above-mentioned characteristic, the present invention can reduce the resistance of the transparent conductive film without lowering the aperture ratio.

The light emitting device of the present invention is characterized in that each of the conductors is 0.5 to 5 μm in width. The light emitting device of the present invention is characterized in that the opening is 10 to 100 μm in width.

A high molecular weight material can be used for the transparent conductive resin. A low molecular weight material refers to a material that is lower in molecular weight than a high molecular weight material.

Light obtained from the light emitting element may be one or both of light emission by singlet excitation and light emission by triplet excitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment mode of the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 1Ato4.

InFIG. 1A, thin film transistors are formed on a substrate101. The substrate101in this embodiment mode is a glass substrate, but a quartz substrate, a silicon substrate, a metal substrate, or a ceramic substrate may be used instead.

Next, a crystalline silicon film is formed into a thickness of 50 nm. The crystalline silicon film can be formed by a known method.

The crystalline silicon film is patterned to form an island-like crystalline silicon film102and an island-like crystalline silicon film103(102and103are hereinafter referred to as active layers). A silicon oxide film is formed as a gate insulating film104to cover the active layers102and103. A gate electrode105and a gate electrode106are formed on the gate insulating film104. The material of the gate electrodes105and106is a tungsten film, or a tungsten alloy film, with a thickness of 350 nm. The gate electrodes105and106are a part of a gate wiring line301as shown in FIG.3A.

Using the gate electrodes105and106as masks, the active layers102and103are doped with an element that belongs to Group 13 in the periodic table (typically boron) as shown inFIG. 1B. Aknown method can be employed to dope the active layers with the element. Thus formed are impurity regions107to111having the p type conductivity (hereinafter referred to as p type impurity regions). Channel formation regions112to114are defined below the gate electrodes105and106. The p type impurity regions107to111individually serve as source regions or drain regions of the TFTs.

Next, a protective film (here, a silicon nitride film)115is formed into a thickness of 50 nm. Then the element belonging to Group 13 in the periodic table which has been used to dope the active layers, is activated by heat treatment. The activation can be achieved by furnace annealing, laser annealing, or lamp annealing or by a combination of these annealing, methods. In this embodiment mode, heat treatment is conducted at 500° C. for four hours in a nitrogen atmosphere.

It is effective to conduct hydrogenation treatment after the activation is finished. A known hydrogen annealing technique Or plasma hydrogenation technique can be employed for the hydrogenation treatment.

Next, as shown inFIG. 1C, a first interlayer insulating film116is formed from an organic resin such as polyimide, acrylic, or polyimidleamide to have a thickness of 800 nm. The organic resin is applied by a spinner and then heated to be burnt or polymerized, thereby obtaining a flat surface. Organic resin materials in general are low in dielectric constant and therefore can reduce parasitic capacitance. The first interlayer insulating film116may instead be an inorganic insulating film.

Next, a second interlayer insulating film117is formed on the first interlayer insulating film116so that gas leakage from the first interlayer insulating film116does not affect the light emitting element. The second interlayer insulating film117is an inorganic insulating film, typically, a silicon oxide film, a silicon oxynitride film, or a silicon nitride film, or a laminate having the above-mentioned insulating films in combination. The second interlayer insulating film is formed by plasma CVD in which the reaction pressure is set to 20 to 200 Pa, the substrate temperature to 300 to 400° C., and the power density to 0.1 to 1.0 W/cm2at high frequency (13.56 MHz) for electric discharge. Alternatively, the surfaces of the first and second interlayer insulating films116and117are subjected to plasma treatment to form a cured film that contains one or more kinds of gas elements selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon halide, hydrogen fluoride, and noble gas.

Thereafter, a resist mask having a desired pattern is formed and contact holes reaching drain regions of the TFTs are formed to form wirings lines118to121. The wiring lines are obtained by patterning into a desired pattern a conductive metal film that is formed from Al or Ti or from an alloy of Al or Ti by sputtering or vacuum evaporation. The wiring lines118and119respectively function as a source wiring line and a gate wiring line.

The TFTs are completed through the above-mentioned steps. In the light emitting device of this embodiment mode, a switching TFT201and a current controlling TFT202are formed as shown in FIG.1C. Though not shown inFIG. 1C, an erasing TFT203ofFIGS. 3A and 3Bis also formed at the same time. A gate electrode of the erasing TFT203is a part of a gate wiring line302. The gate wiring line302and a gate wiring line301that forms a gate electrode of the switching TFT201are separate wiring lines. The TFTs in this embodiment mode are all p-channel TFTs but the present invention is not limited thereto. N-channel TFTs can be also used. The conductivity type of the TFTs can be set at designer's discretion.

A capacitor storage305shown inFIGS. 3A and 3Bis also formed at the same time as the TFTs are formed. The storage capacitor305is composed of a storage capacitor and another storage capacitor. The former storage capacitor is positioned below a wiring line that forms the gate electrode106and includes a semiconductor layer306, the gate insulating film104, and the wiring. The semiconductor layer306is formed at the same time the active layers of the TFTs are formed. The latter storage capacitor includes the wiring line that forms the gate electrode106, the protective film115, the first interlayer insulating film116, the second interlayer insulating film117, and a current supplying line304. The semiconductor layer306is electrically connected to the current supplying line304.

Next, a conductive film is formed and then the conductive film is etched as shown inFIG. 1Dto complete the lower electrode122. The lower electrode122acts as a cathode or an anode depending on whether its work function is larger or smaller than the work function of an upper electrode124. The conductive film is desirably 0.1 to 1 am in thickness.

Thereafter, an organic resin film is formed on the entire surface from polyimide, acrylic, or polyimideamide. A thermally-curable material that is cured by heating or a photosensitive material that is cured by irradiation of ultraviolet ray is employed for the organic resin film. When a thermally-curable material is used, a resist mask is formed after the organic resin film is formed on the entire surface, and an insulating layer123having an opening above the lower electrode122is formed by dry etching. When a photosensitive material is employed, a photo mask is formed after the organic resin film is formed on the entire surface and an insulating layer123is formed above the lower electrode122through exposure and development using the photo mask. In either case, the insulating layer123is formed to have a tapered edge and cover an end portion of the lower electrode122. Having the edge tapered, the insulating layer can be covered well with an organic compound layer that is to be formed subsequently.

An organic compound layer130is formed next. The organic compound layer130is a laminate having a hole generating layer, a light emitting layer, a hole injection layer, a hole transporting layer, a hole blocking layer, an electron transporting layer, an electron injection layer, a buffer layer, etc. suitably selected in combination. These layers may be formed of low molecular weight materials or high molecular weight materials.

Then a transparent conductive film126is formed. A transparent conductive high molecular weight material such as ITO is used for the transparent conductive film126. Preferably, the thickness of the transparent conductive film126is 80 to 200 nm. If an ITO film is employed, the film is formed by sputtering. If other transparent conductive high molecular weight materials are chosen, the film is formed by spin coating.

If the organic compound layer130is formed on the lower electrode122so as to obtain a flat surface, defects such as dark spot and light emission failure of the light emitting element due to short circuit between the lower electrode122and the transparent conductive film126can be prevented. (FIG. 2A)

As shown inFIG. 2B, a metal is deposited by evaporation on a cover member128and the obtained metal film is patterned to form conductors131on the cove member128. The metal that can be used in this embodiment mode is silver, gold, platinum, palladium, aluminum, magnesium, calcium, indium, copper, neodium, nickel, tin, chromium, or the like. The cover member128is bonded to the substrate in a later step as shown in FIG.3A. Then, a width A of each conductor in a pixel is 0.5 to 5.0 μm (preferably 1.0 to 2.0 μm), and a width B (of an opening132) that is the distance between two adjacent conductors is 10 to 100 μm (preferably 20 to 30 μm). The width B of the opening is appropriately 5 to 15 times the width A. For example, a preferable opening width is 10 to 30 μm when each conductor is 2.0 μm in width.

The cover member128may be a glass substrate or a quarts substrate, or a plastic substrate formed of FRP (fiberglass-reinforced plastic), PVF (polyvinyl fluoride), Mylar, polyester, acrylic, or the like. The cover member may he stepped so that a drying agent can be sealed therein.

Subsequently, the device shown inFIG. 2Ais bonded to the device shown in FIG.2B. Specifically, a seal pattern (not shown in the drawing) is formed along the end faces (perimeter) of the cover member128. Then a transparent conductive resin129is applied to the surface of the cover member128inside the seal pattern. This embodiment mode employs as the transparent conductive resin129polypyrrole, polyaniline, polythiophene, poly (3, 4-ethylene dioxythiophene), polyisothianaphthene, polyacetylene, tetracyanoquinodimethane, a polyvinyl chloride composition, or a high molecular weight material mainly containing an aromatic amine polymer. The resin129may also be a compound of these materials. The above-mentioned materials may be suitably doped with dopants.

Keeping the interior of a vacuum exhaust apparatus at a vacuum state and applying a constant pressure to the substrate101and the cover member128, the substrate101is bonded to the cover member128. The substrate101and the cover member128are bonded such that the side of the substrate101on which the organic compound layer130is formed opposes the side of the cover member128on which the conductors131are formed. At this point, the seal member formed on the cover member128is heated and cured.

Thus completed is a light emitting device having a light emitting element127that is composed of the upper electrode124, the lower electrode122, and the organic compound layer130. The upper electrode124is composed of the transparent conductive film126, the transparent conductive resin129, and the conductors131. The conductors131and the opening132are formed above the light emitting element127that is electrically connected to the TFTs. The transparent conductive film, the transparent conductive resin oil the transparent conductive film, and the conductors on the transparent conductive resin are also formed above the gate electrodes on the TFTs, above the source wiring lines connected to the TFTs, above the gate wiring lines connected to the TFTs, above the drain wiring lines connected to the TFTs, and above the current supplying line connected to the TFTs.

As described above, a light emitting device having a low-resistant conductive film can be obtained by forming the transparent conductive film126, the conductors131, and the transparent conductive resin129sandwiched between the transparent conductive film126and the conductors131as described above.

Since the opening132is formed between adjacent conductors in the pixel, light emitted from the organic compound layer130can reach outside through the opening132. As a result, the light emitting element can emit light upward. The transparent conductive film of the light emitting element127in the present invention is not limited to a transparent material, and therefore a choice of materials that can be used for the electrode is widened.

In the light emitting, device of the present invention, the organic compound layer130can be shut off from the outside. To elaborate, external substances that accelerate degradation of the organic compound layer130, such as moisture and oxygen, can be prevented from entering the light emitting element. Accordingly, the present invention eliminates the need for a space filled with inert gas, thereby making it possible to reduce the thickness of the light emitting device greatly.

FIG. 3Ais a top view of the conductors131.

The conductors131are placed above the gate electrodes105and106, the source wiring line118, the drain wiring line120, the gate wiring lines301and302, and the current supplying line304and in the pixel.

Preferably, the conductors131are placed in at least one of the following positions: above the gate electrodes105and106, above the wiring line118, above the drain wiring line120, above the gate wiring lines301and302, above the current supplying line304, and in the pixel, while interposing an insulating film therebetween. This arrangement is effective in lowering the resistance of the transparent conductive film126.

Instead of forming the conductors in the pixel portion, plural conductors may be formed above a gate electrode having high light-shielding ability, above a source wiring line, above a gate wiring line, above a drain wiring line, or above a current supplying line while interposing an insulating film therebetween. This makes it possible to lower the resistance of the transparent conductive film without reducing the aperture ratio.

In the present invention, the conductors desirably occupy as small an area as possible in the pixel. The conductors above the TFTs and the wiring lines desirably occupy as large an area as possible.

As shown inFIG. 4, conductors431may be in parallel with a source wiring line418.

FIGS. 3A and 3BandFIG. 4show conductors forming a stripe pattern in the pixel. However, the pattern of the conductors are not particularly limited. For instance, the conductors may be rectangles as shown inFIG. 5A, or may be branched as shown inFIGS. 5B and 5C, or may be electrically connected to other electrodes as shown inFIGS. 5D and 5E, or may form a grid pattern as shown inFIG. 5F,

In this embodiment mode, the seal pattern is formed on the cover member and the transparent conductive resin is applied to the cover member to complete the light emitting device. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The seal pattern may be formed on the substrate and the transparent conductive resin may be applied to the substrate to obtain the light emitting device.

In this embodiment mode, the transparent conductive resin129is applied to the surface of the cover member inside the seal pattern in a manner similar to the liquid crystal drop injection method employed in a liquid crystal display device manufacturing process. The applied transparent conductive resin129is sandwiched between the substrate and the cover member128in the light emitting device manufactured in accordance with the present invention, Alternatively, the seat pattern may have an opening so that the transparent conductive resin is injected through the opening similar to the manner in which a liquid crystal is injected through an injection port in vacuum. If the transparent conductive resin has Iris viscosity, the resin may be heated or pressurized. After the injection, the opening may be closed by an end-sealing material.

The present invention is not limited to the TFT structures employed in this embodiment mode but may take the inverted stagger structure or the top gate structure.

This embodiment describes the structure of a light emitting of light emitting device according to the present invention. The description is given with reference to FIG.6.

InFIG. 6, reference symbol501denotes a lower electrode, which is a film of a metal such as platinum (Pt), chromium (Cr), tungsten (W), or nickel (Ni). The lower electrode501corresponds to an anode. The role of the lower electrode501in this embodiment is to inject holes to an organic compound layer when a voltage is applied. Therefore, the material of the lower electrode501is required to be higher in HOMO level than the organic compound that forms the orgasmic compound layer. In other words, the lower electrode is desirably formed from a material having a large work function.

Next, a hole generating layer504is formed by co-evaporation of an electron acceptor502and a low molecular weight material503. In this embodiment, the material of the electron acceptor502can be the same material given in Embodiment Mode. The low molecular weight material503used in this embodiment is a material capable of injecting holes.

The hole generating layer504in this embodiment is formed into a thickness of 100 to 200 nm by co-evaporation of the low molecular weight material503that is a material capable of injecting holes and the electron acceptor502.

The hole generating layer504in the present invention is a film transmissive of light. Examples of the low molecular weight material503include condensed rinse hydrocarbon such as anthracene, tetracene, or pyrene, normal paraffin, oligothiophene based materials, and phthalocyanine-based materials. Examples (of the electron acceptor502include TCNQ (tetracyano-quinodimethan), FeCl3, ZrCl4, HfCl4, NbCl5, TaCl5, MoCl5, and WCI6.

Also, in the case where the hole-generating layer is formed using a polymeric material, the hole-generating layer can be formed by existing the polymeric material such as polyacetylenes, polythiophenes, poly(3-methyl) thiophenes, poly (3-ethyl) thiophenes, poly (3-n-butyl) thiophenes, poly(3-hexyl) thiophenes, poly(3-octyl) thiophenes, poly (3-dodecyl thiophenes, poly (3-octadecyl) thiophenes, poly(3-eicosyl)thiophenes and poly(3-methyl-Co-butyl) thiophenes together with the electron acceptor502(acceptor) such as PF6, bromine and iodine in a solvent and using the printing method, the ink jet method or the spin coating method.

When forming the hole generating layer504, the molar ratio of the low molecular weight material503to the electron acceptor502is desirably 1:1. Electric charges move between an organic material and the election acceptor502when an electron of the organic material is pulled out of the organic material by the electron acceptor502, thereby generating holes from the organic material. Accordingly, holes are injected from the lower electrode upon application of a voltage and the density of holes flowing is raised. The presence of the hole generating layer504makes it possible to form the organic compound layer uniformly and to apply electric field uniformly to the organic compound layer, as well. Therefore a highly reliable light emitting element can be formed.

Next, a hole injection layer505, a hole transporting layer506, a light emitting layer507, and an electron transporting layer508are layered.

The hole injection layer505is formed from a material capable of injecting holes. This embodiment employs the same low molecular weight material that the hole generating layer504uses to form the hole injection layer505to have a thickness of 10 to 30 nm. By forming the hole generating layer504and the hole injection layer505from the same low molecular weight material, the energy barrier between the two layers is lowered to make it easy for carriers to move.

The hole transporting layer506is formed from a material capable of transporting holes. This embodiment uses as a material capable of transporting holes an aromatic amine-based material such as 4, 4′-bis [N- (1-naplthyl)-N-phenyl-amino] biphenyl (denoted by α-NPD) 1, 1-bis[4-bis(4-methylphenyl)-amino-phenyl] cyclohexane (denoted by TPAC), or 4, 4′, 4″-tris[N-(3-methylphenyl)-N-phenyl-amino] triphenyl amine (denoted by MTDATA). The thickness of the hole transporting layer506is 30 to 60 n.

The light emitting layer507is formed from a luminous material. This embodiment uses as a luminous material Alq3 or Alpq3 that is obtained by introducing phenyl base to Alq3. The thickness of the light emitting layer507is 30 to 60 nm. Thc light emitting layer507may be doped with a dopant. The (dopant can be a known) material such as perylene, rubrene, coumarin, 4(dicyanomethylene)-2-methyl-6 (p-dimethyl aminostylil)-4H-pyran (denoted by DCM), or quinacridon.

The light emitting layer507may be formed by co-evaporation of CBP and an iridium complex (Ir(ppy)3) or a platinum complex. CBP is a dopant and the iridium complex emits light by triplet excitation. In this case, a hole blocking, layer has to be formed between the light emitting layer507and the electron transporting layer508. The hole blocking layer is formed from BCP to have a thickness of 10 to 30 nm.

The electron transporting layer508is formed from a material capable of transporting electrons. This embodiment employs as a material capable of transporting electrons a 1, 3, 4-oxadiazole derivative, a 1, 2, 4-triazole derivative, or the like. Specifically, the material that can be used for the layer508is 2-(4-biphenylyl)-5-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1, 3, 4-oxadiazole (denoted by PBD), 2, 5-(1,1′-dinaphthyl)-1, 3, 4-oxadiazole (denoted by BND), 1, 3-bis[5-(p-tert-butylphenyl)-1, 3, 4-oxadiazole-2-,Ile] benzene (denoted by OXD-7), or 3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-4-phenyl-5-(4-biphenylyl)-1, 2, 4-triazole (denoted by TAZ). The thickness or the electron transporting layer508is 30 to 60 nm.

The hole generating layer504, the hole injection layer505, the hole transporting layer506, the light emitting layer507, and the electron transporting layer508(and the blocking layer) together make an organic compound layer509. After the organic compound layer509is formed, a transparent conductive film510is formed. In this embodiment, ITO is used to form the transparent conductive film510of the light emitting element.

Conductors511are formed on a cover member (not shown in the drawings) and an opening512is formed in the cover member. This is achieved in this embodiment by evaporation of silver through sputtering and subsequent patterning. The patterning employs etching and a mixture of hydrogen fluoride and nitric acid as etchant. The conductors511formed on the cover member (not shown) are bonded to the transparent conductive film510in vacuum with a transparent conductive resin513sandwiched therebetween. The transparent conductive resin513may be applied to the cover member (not shown) or injected from an opening (not shown in the drawing) of the seal pattern as in the above-mentioned Embodiment Mode. The transparent conductive resin513of this embodiment is a high molecular weight material mainly containing a polyvinyl chloride composition or an aromatic amine polymer. A polyvinyl chloride composition is a material composed of a vinyl chloride resin, a plasticizer (for example, phthalate esters or glycol esters), and lithium salt (lithium chloride, (trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide lithium, or the like). An aromatic amine polymer is a polymer such as aminonaphthalenes and aminoquinoline.

The transparent conductive resin513is formed on the transparent conductive film510. The conductors511and the opening512are formed on the transparent conductive resin513. In this specification, the conductors511, the transparent conductive resin513, and the transparent conductive film510are together called an upper electrode514. The light is emitted in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.6.

As described above, the upper electrode514is made up of the transparent conductive film510, the transparent conductive resin513, and the conductors511to obtain a light emitting device that has a low-resistant conductive film.

Transparent and conductive materials are employed for the transparent conductive film510and the transparent conductive resin513, and the opening512is provided between adjacent conductors. Therefore light emitted from the organic compound layer509can reach outside through the opening512. This allows the organic compound layer to emit light upward. A light-shielding material may be employed for the lower electrode501.

The present invention employs a sealing method in which the contact between the organic compound layer509and oxygen or moisture is avoided by forming the transparent conductive resin513between the transparent conductive film510; and the conductors511. Accordingly, there is no need to provide a space filled with inert gas, making it possible to reduce the thickness of the light emitting device greatly.

The lower electrode501serves as an anode and the upper electrode514serves as a cathode in this embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The lower electrode501can be a cathode whereas the upper electrode514serves as an anode. In this case, the electron transporting layer, light emitting layer, hole transporting layer, hole injection layer, and hole generating, layer of the organic compound layer are layered in this order with the electron transporting layer being the closest to the lower electrode.

This embodiment describes a case of forming a mixture layer in the light emitting element of Embodiment 1. The description will be given with reference to FIG.7.

InFIG. 7, reference symbol601denotes a lower electrode and602denotes a hole generating layer that is formed by co-evaporation of an electron acceptor and a low molecular weight material.

A hole injection layer603, a hole transporting layer604, a light emitting layer605, and an electron transporting layer606are laminated on the hole generating layer602to form an organic compound layer607. Details about the methods of forming these layers may refer to Embodiment 1.

In this embodiment, the interface between the hole transporting layer604and the light emitting layer605and the interface between the electron transporting layer606and the light emitting layer605each have a mixture layer.

In this embodiment, the mixture layer formed at the interface between the light emitting layer605and the hole transporting layer604is called a mixture layer (1)608, whereas the mixture layer formed at the interface between the light emitting layer605and the electron transporting layer606is called a mixture layer (2)609.

The mixture layer (1)608is formed by co-evaporation of the material for forming the light emitting layer605and the material for forming the hole transporting layer604. The ratio of the materials that are mixed to form the mixture layer (1)608can be varied.

The mixture layer (2)609is formed by co-evaporation of the material for forming the tight emitting layer605and the material for forming the electron transporting layer606. The ratio of the materials that are mixed to form the mixture layer (2)609can be varied.

After the electron transporting layer606is formed, a transparent conductive film610is formed by evaporation. In this embodiment, ITO is used to form the transparent conductive film610of the light emitting element.

Conductors611are formed on a cover member (not shown in the drawing) and an opening612is formed in the cover member. This is achieved in this embodiment by evaporation of silver through sputtering and subsequent patterning. The patterning employs etching and a mixture of hydrogen fluoride and nitric acid as etchant. The conductors611formed on the cover member (not shown) are bonded to the transparent conductive film610in vacuum with a transparent conductive resin613sandwiched therebetween. The transparent conductive resin613of this embodiment is a high molecular weight material mainly containing a polyvinyl chloride composition or an aromatic amine polymer. A polyvinyl chloride composition is a material composed of a vinyl chloride resin, a plastic material (for example, phthalate esters or glycol esters), and lithium salt (lithium chloride, (trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide lithium, or the like). An aromatic amine polymer is a polymer such as aminonaphthalenes and aminoquinoline.

The transparent conductive resin613is formed on the transparent conductive film610. The conductors611and the opening612are formed on the transparent conductive resin613. In this specification, the conductors611, the transparent conductive resin613, and the transparent conductive film610are together called an upper electrode614.

As has been described, the mixture layers are formed at the interfaces between the light emitting layer605and the layers adjacent thereto (specifically, the interface between the light emitting layer605and the hole transporting layer604and the interface between the light emitting layer605and the electron transporting layer606). This structure improves injection of holes from the hole transporting layer604to the light emitting layer605and injection of electrons from the election transporting layer606to the light emitting layer605. Accordingly, recombination of carriers in the light emitting layer605is enhanced. The light is emitted in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.7.

As described above, the upper electrode614is made up of the transparent conductive film610, the transparent conductive resin613, and the conductors611to obtain a light emitting device that has a low-resistant conductive film.

Transparent and conductive materials are employed for the conductors611and the transparent conductive resin613, and the opening612is provided between adjacent conductors. Therefore, light emitted from the organic compound layer607can reach outside through the opening612. This allows the organic compound layer to emit light upward. A light-shielding material may be employed for the lower electrode601.

The present invention employs a sealing method in which the contact between the organic compound layer607and oxygen or moisture is avoided by forming the transparent conductive resin613between the transparent conductive film610and the conductors611. Accordingly, there is no need to provide a space filled with inert gas, making it possible to reduce the thickness of the light emitting device greatly.

The lower electrode601serves as an anode and the upper electrode614serves as a cathode in this embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The lower electrode601can be a cathode whereas the upper electrode614serves as an anode. In this case, the electron transporting layer, mixture layer (2), light emitting layer, mixture layer (1), hole transporting layer, hole injection layer, and hole generating layer of the organic compound layer are laminated in this order with the electron transporting layer being the closest to the lower electrode.

This embodiment gives a description on a light emitting device having light emitting elements that respectively emit red light, green light, and blue light. In this embodiment, a lower electrode122is formed as shown in FIG.2A and then organic compound layers that emit light in different colors are formed by using different materials for their light emitting layers. All of the light emitting layers are formed by evaporation, which allows the use of metal mask in forming light emitting layers of pixels of different colors from different materials.

In this embodiment, a light emitting layer that emits light in red color (hereinafter referred to as red light emitting layer) is formed first using a metal mask. A known material can be used as the material of the red light emitting layer of this embodiment. All of the red light emitting layers to be formed in the light emitting device may be formed simultaneously. Alternatively, the red light emitting layers may be formed sequentially while moving the metal mask along.

Next, a light emitting layer that emits light in green color (hereinafter referred to as green light emitting layer) is formed using a metal mask. A known material can be used as the material of the green light emitting layer of this embodiment. All of the green light emitting layers to be formed in the light emitting device may be formed simultaneously. Alternatively, the green light emitting layers may be formed sequentially while moving the metal mask along.

Further, a light emitting layer that emits light in blue color (hereinafter referred to as blue light emitting layer) is formed using a metal mask. A known material can be used as the material of the blue light emitting layer of this embodiment. All of the blue light emitting layers to be formed in the light emitting device may be formed simultaneously. Alternatively, the blue light emitting layers may be formed a few at a time while moving the metal mask along.

The above-mentioned steps provide the light emitting device having light emitting elements that respectively emit red light, green light, and blue light. The colors of light emitted from the light emitting elements are not limited to those shown in this embodiment. Known materials such as one that emits white light and one that emits orange light may be used in combination.

This embodiment describes the exterior of a light emitting device of the present invention with reference toFIGS. 8A and 8B.

FIG. 8Ais a top view of the light emitting device andFIG. 8Bis a sectional view taken along the line A-A′ of FIG.8A. Reference symbol701denotes a source signal line driving circuit;702, a pixel portion; and703, a gate signal line driving circuit, Denoted by710is a substrate;704, a cover member;705, a seal pattern,707; a transparent conductive resin;720, conductors;721, a concave portion;722, a drying agent; and723, a film. The space surrounded by the cover member704including the film723) and the seal pattern705is filled with the transparent conductive resin707. The light is emitted in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.8B.

Reference symbol708represents a connection wiring line for transmitting signals that are to be inputted to the source signal line driving circuit701and the gate signal line driving circuit703. The connection wiring line708receives video signals and clock signals from an FPC (flexible printed circuit)709that serves as an external input terminal. The FPC alone is shown in the drawings but a printed wiring board (PWB) may be attached to the FPC. In this specification, a light emitting device refers to a light emitting device itself plus an FPC, or plus an FPC and a PWB.

Next, the sectional structure taken along the line A-A′ inFIG. 8Ais described with reference to FIG.8B. The driving circuits and the pixel portion are formed on the substrate710. InFIG. 8B, one of the driving circuits, namely, the source signal line driving circuit701, and the pixel portion702are shown.

The source signal line driving circuit701here is a CMOS circuit having a p-channel TFT713and an n-channel TFT714in combination. The driving circuit can be any known CMOS circuit, PMOS circuit, or NMOS circuit. This embodiment employs a driver-integrated substrate in which driving circuits are formed on a substrate, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The driving circuits may be external to the substrate.

The pixel portion702is composed of a plurality of pixels each of which includes a current controlling TFT711and a lower electrode712. The lower electrode712is electrically connected to a drain of the current controlling TFT711.

An insulator715is formed on each end of the lower electrode712. An organic compound layer717is formed on the lower electrode712. A transparent conductive film718is formed on the insulator715and the organic compound layer717.

The transparent conductive film718also functions as a common wiring line shared by all the pixels and is electrically connected to the FPC709through the connection wiring line708.

The conductors720are formed on the cover member704. An opening724is provided between the conductors720. The cover member704is bonded to the substrate710in vacuum with the seal pattern705interposed therebetween. The transparent conductive resin707is formed between the substrate710and the cover member704. Spacers formed from a resin film may be provided to keep the distance between the cover member704and the substrate710. The seal member is preferably an epoxy resin. Desirably, the material of the seal member Is one that allows as small amount of moisture and oxygen as possible to transmit.

In this embodiment, a glass substrate or a quartz substrate is used as the cover member704. Alternatively, the cover member may be a plastic substrate that is formed of FRP (fiberglass-reinforced plastics), PVF (polyvinyl fluoride), Mylar, polyester, acrylic, or the like.

After the cover member704is bonded to the substrate710using the seal pattern705, the side faces (exposed faces) of the device may bet further covered and sealed by the seal pattern (seal member).

The transparent conductive film718, the transparent conductive resin707, and the conductors720are together called an upper electrode725. Completed through the above-mentioned steps is a light emitting element719that is composed of the upper electrode725, the organic compound layer717, and the lower electrode712.

The light emitting device of the present invention can lower the resistance of the transparent conductive film718by forming the conductors720that are electrically connected to the transparent conductive film718.

Since the opening, is formed between the conductors720, light emitted from the organic compound layer717can reach outside through the opening724. As a result, the light emitting element can emit light upward. The material of the lower electrode712of the light emitting element is not limited to ai transparent material, and therefore a choice of materials that can be used for the lower electrode712is widened.

The present invention employs a sealing method in which the contact between the organic compound layer717and oxygen or moisture is avoided by forming the transparent conductive resin707between the transparent conductive film718and the conductors720. Accordingly, there is no need to provide a space filled with inert gas, making it possible to reduce the thickness of the light emitting device greatly.

The structure of this embodiment can be employed when any of the light emitting elements that are structured in accordance with Embodiments 1 through 3 is sealed to obtain a light emitting device.

This embodiment uses glass substrates for the substrate710and the cover member704. However, as shown inFIG. 9, flexible films formed from an organic resin may be used for a substrate1110and a cover member1104. If flexible films are employed, the substrate1110and the cover member1104can be curved. A TFT may be formed on a glass substrate to be transferred to a flexible film. In the embodiment of the present invention which is illustrated inFIGS. 8A and 81B, the drying agent722is placed above the source signal line driving circuit701in order to allow the organic compound layer to emit light upward. In the embodiment of the present invention which is illustrated inFIG. 9, a drying agent1122may be placed outside a seal pattern1105a. Alternatively, a sealing pattern11051may be placed outside the drying agent1122. Of the substrate and cover member, one may be a glass substrate while the other is formed from a flexible film.

A description is given with reference toFIG. 10Aon the top view of a pixel of a light emitting device according to the present invention. The circuit structure inFIG. 10Ais shown in FIG.10B.

InFIG. 10A, reference symbol801denotes a switching TFT, which is p-channel TFT. A wiring line denoted by802is a gate wiring line that is electrically connected to gate electrodes804(804aand804b) of the switching TFT801

In this embodiment, the switching TFT has a double gate structure in which two channel formation regions are formed. However, a single gate structure in which one channel formation region is formed or a triple gate structure in which three channel formation regions are formed may be employed instead.

A source of the switching TFT801is connected to a source wiring line805. A drain of the switching TFT801is connected to a drain wiring line806. The drain wiring line806is electrically connected to a gate electrode808of a current controlling TFT807. The current controlling TFT807is an n-channel TFT.

In this embodiment, the switching TFT801is a p-channel TFT and the current controlling TFT807is an n-channel TFT. Alternatively, an n-channel TFT may be used for the switching TFT801while a p-channel TFT is used for the current controlling TFT807, or TFTs801and807may be both n-channel TFTs, or TFTs801and807may be both p-channel TFTs.

A source of the current controlling TFT807is electrically connected to a current supplying line809. A drain of the current controlling TFT807is electrically connected to a drain wiring line810. The drain wiring line810is also electrically connected to a lower electrode (not shown in the drawing). An organic compound layer is formed on a transparent conductive film (not shown in the drawing) and conductors831are formed thereon to complete a light emitting element815shown in FIG.8B.

A storage capacitor (capacitor) is formed in a region denoted by812. The storage capacitor812is formed among the current supplying line809, a semiconductor layer813, an insulating film (not shown in the drawing) on the same layer as a gate insulating film, and a capacitance electrode814. The capacitance electrode814is electrically connected to the gate electrode808. A capacitor composed of the capacitance electrode814, the same layer (not shown) as an interlayer insulating film, and the current supplying line809call also be used as an storage capacitor.

The conductors are formed above the gate wiring line802, above the gate electrodes804(804aand804b), above the gate electrode808, above the source wiring line805, above the drain wiring line810, above the current supplying line809, and in the pixel.

The conductors are placed in one of the following positions; above the gate wiring line802, above the gate electrodes804(804aand804h), above the gate electrode808, above the source wiring line805, above the drain wiring line810, above the current supplying line809, and in the pixel, while interposing an insulating film therebetween. This arrangement is effective in lowering tile resistance of the transparent conductive film.

The pixel portion structure described in this embodiment can replace the pixel portion structure of Embodiment Mode.

This embodiment describes a case of forming a high molecular weight hole generating layer from a high molecular weight material and an electron acceptor. This embodiment is identical with the above-mentioned Embodiment Mode except the materials of the hole generating layer and the method of forming the hole generating layer.

As the polymeric material for forming the hole-generating layer, polyacetylenes, polythiophenes, poly(3-methyl)thiophenes, poly(3-ethyl) thiophenes, poly (3-n-butyl) thiophenes, poly(3-hexyl) thiophenes, poly (3-octyl) thiophenes, poly(3-dodecyl) thiophenes, poly(3-octadecyl) thiophenes, poly(3-eicosyl) thiophenes, poly(3-methyl-Co-butyl)thiophenes, or the like, which is a conjugated polymeric material, can be used. The hole-generating layer is formed by dissolving or dispersing in the solvent the above-mentioned polymeric material together with the dopant such as PF6-, bromine and iodine.

In this embodiment, a hole generating layer504with a thickness of 10 to 50 nm (preferably 20 to 30 nm) is formed on a lower electrode501shown in FIG.6. The hole generating layer504is formed from a soluble material by printing or by the ink jet method.

Alternatively, the hole generating layer504may be formed by spin coating. In this case, the hole generating layer504is shared by adjacent electrodes, and therefore the distance between the adjacent electrodes has to be large to increase the resistance thereof. The resistance of the adjacent electrodes (anodes) has to be set to {fraction (1/10)} or more of the resistance between electrodes (cathodes) that face the anodes.

An organic compound layer509is formed on the hole generating layer504. The organic compound layer509is a combination of a hole injection layer505, a hole transporting layer506, a light emitting layer507, and an electron transporting layer508. In this embodiment, known materials are used to form the hole injection layer, the hole transporting layer, the light emitting layer, and the election transporting layer.

After the organic compound layer509is formed in this way, an ITO film is formed as a transparent conductive film510on the organic compound layer509.

Conductors511are formed on a cover member (not shown in the drawing) and an opening512is formed in the cover member. The conductors511formed on the cover member (not shown) are bonded to the transparent conductive film510in vacuum with a transparent conductive resin513sandwiched therebetween.

In the light emitting device of the present invention, the organic compound layer509having a laminate structure is formed between the transparent conductive film510and the conductors511, and the same material is used to form the hole generating layer504and the hole injection layer505.

The transparent conductive resin513is formed on the transparent conductive film510. The conductors511and the opening512are formed on the transparent conductive resin513. In this specification, the conductors511, the transparent conductive resin513, and the transparent conductive film510are together called an upper electrode514. The light is emitted in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.6.

Thus completed is a light emitting element composed of the lower electrode501, the organic compound layer509, and the upper electrode514.

The light emitting device of the present invention can lower the resistance of the transparent conductive film510by forming the conductors511that are electrically connected to the transparent conductive film510.

Transparent and conductive materials are employed for the transparent conductive film510and the transparent conductive resin513, and the opening512is provided between adjacent conductors. Therefore, light emitted from the organic compound layer509can reach outside through the opening512. This allows the organic compound layer to emit light upward. A light-shielding material may be employed for the lower electrode501.

The present invention employs a sealing method in which the contact between the organic compound layer509and oxygen or moisture is avoided by forming, the transparent conductive resin513between the transparent conductive film510and the conductors511. Accordingly, there is no need to provide a space filed with inert gas, making it possible to reduce the thickness of the light emitting device greatly.

The lower electrode501serves as an anode and the upper electrode514serves as a cathode in this embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The lower electrode501can be a cathode whereas the upper electrode514serves as an anode. In this case, the electron transporting layer, light emitting layer, hole transporting layer, hole injection layer, and hole generating layer of the organic compound layer are layered in this order with the electron transporting layer being the closest to the lower electrode.

The structure of this embodiment maybe combined with any of the structures of Embodiments 1 through 6.

A description is given with reference toFIG. 11on an example of applying the present invention to TFTs that are structured differently from the TFTs of Embodiment 4.

Reference symbol1001denotes a substrate;1002, a gate electrode;1003, a source wiring line;1004, a capacitance wiring line; and1005, a first insulating film.1006denotes a source wiring line;1007and1008, channel formation regions;1009, a source or drain region; and1010, an LDD region.1011denotes a drain region;1012, an LDD region;1013and1014, third insulating films; and1015, a fourth insulating film.1016denotes a first interlayer insulating film,1017, a connection wiring line;1018, a source or drain wiring line;1019, a drain wiring line; and1020, a lower electrode.1021denotes a second interlayer insulating film;1022, an organic compound layer;1023, a transparent conductive film;1024, a transparent conductive resin; and1025, a cover member.1026denotes conductors;1027, a light emitting element; and1028, an opening. The arrow inFIG. 11indicates the direction of light emitted from the organic compound layer1022.

In this specification, the conductors1026, the transparent conductive resin1024, and the transparent conductive film1023are together called an upper electrode1029. The lower electrode1020, the organic compound layer1022, and the upper electrode1029constitute the light emitting element1027.

The light emitting device of this embodiment can lower the resistance of the transparent conductive film1023by forming the conductors1026that are electrically connected to the transparent conductive film1023.

Since the opening1028is provided between adjacent conductors, light emitted from the organic compound layer1022can reach outside through the opening1028. This allows the organic compound layer to emit light upward. The conductors1026of the light emitting element1027therefore do not need to be transparent, which widens a choice of materials of the electrodes.

The present invention employs a sealing method in which the contact between the organic compound layer1022and oxygen or moisture is avoided by forming the transparent conductive resin1024between the transparent conductive film1023and the conductors1026Accordingly, there is no need to provide a space filled with inert gas, making it possible to reduce the thickness of the light emitting device greatly.

The present invention can be applied to a passive-type light emitting, device. A description is made of an example of applying the present invention tol the passive-type light emitting device with reference to FIG.12.

Reference symbol900denotes a substrate;901, a light emitting element;902, an upper electrode;903, a first insulating film;904, a second insulating film;905, a seal pattern;906a transparent conductive resin;907, a lower electrode;908, all organic compound layer;909, a transparent conductive film;910, a third insulating film;911, a fourth insulating film;912, a cover material;913, conductors;914, opening portion; and915, partition wall. The arrow indicates the direction of light emitted from the organic compound layer908.

The partition walls915are patterned into a desired shape by photolithography at given positions. The material of the partition walls is NN700 (a product of JSR Corporation) having a photosensitive acrylic material as its main ingredient. NN700 is applied by a spinner to the entire surface of the cover member912oil which the conductors913are formed. The thickness of the NN700 film is set to 1.4 μm. After applying and calcinating NN700, the NN700 film is exposed using a photo mask and a mask aligner. Thereafter the film is developed with a developer mainly containing TMAH (tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide). The substrate is let dry and then subjected to baking at 250° C. for an hour. As a result, partition walls for insulating adjacent light emitting elements from each other are obtained as shown in FIG.12. The height of each partition wall is 1.2 μm after the baking.

The transparent conductive resin906may be formed by application or injection, or by the ink jet method.

In this specification, the conductors913, the transparent conductive resin906, and the transparent conductive film909are together called an upper electrode902. The light is emitted in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.12. Thus completed is a light emitting element901composed of the lower electrode907, the organic compound layer908, and the upper electrode902. Further, the light emitting device of this embodiment can lower the resistance of the transparent conductive film909by forming the conductors913that are electrically connected to the transparent conductive film909. Since the opening914is provided between adjacent conductors, light emitted from the organic compound layer908can reach outside through the opening914.

This allows the organic compound layer to emit light upward. The conductors913of the light emitting element901therefore do not need to be transparent, which widens a choice of materials of the electrodes.

The present invention employs a sealing method in which the contact between the organic compound layer908and oxygen or moisture is avoided by forming the transparent conductive resin906between the transparent conductive film909and the conductors913. Accordingly, there is no need to provide a space filled with inert gas, making it possible to reduce the thickness of the light emitting device greatly.

Light emitting devices with light emitting elements are self-luminous and therefore have superior visibility in bright surroundings as well as wider viewing angle compared to liquid crystal display devices. Accordingly, light emitting devices with light emitting elements can be used in display units of various electric apparatuses.

An electric apparatus using a light emitting device that is manufactured in accordance with the present invention can be a video camera, a digital camera, a goggle type display (head mounted display), a navigation system, an audio replaying device (such as a car audio system and an audio component), a notebook computer, a game machine, a portable information terminal (such as a mobile computer, a cellular phone, a portable game machine, and an electronic hook, an image reproducing device provided with a recording medium (specifically, a device having a display device capable of displaying an image that is retrieved from a recording medium such as a DVD (digital versatile disc)), etc. Light emitting devices with light emitting elements are particularly preferred in portable information terminals of which screens are often slanted when viewed and therefore required to have wise viewing angle. Specific examples of these electric appliances are shown inFIGS. 13Ato13H.

FIG. 13Ashows a display device, which is composed of a case2001, a supporting base2002, a display unit2003, speaker units2004, a video input terminal2005, etc. The light emitting device manufactured in accordance with the present invention can be used as the display unit2003. Light emitting devices with light emitting elements are self-luminous and do not need back light, thereby making it possible to obtain thinner display units than those utilizing, liquid crystal display devices. The term display device includes all display devices for displaying information, such as personal computer monitors, display devices for receiving TV broadcasting, and display devices for advertising.FIG. 13Bshows a digital still camera, which is composed of a main body2101, a display portion2102, an image receiving portion2103, an operation key2104, all outer connection port2105, a shutter2106etc. The light emitting device manufactured in accordance with the present invention can be used as the display unit2102.

FIG. 13Cshows a notebook computer, which is composed of a main body2201, a case2202, a display portion2203, a keyboard2204, an outer connection port2205, a pointing mouse2206etc. The light emitting device manufactured in accordance with the present invention can be used as the display unit2203.

FIG. 13Dshows a mobile computer, which is composed of a main body2301, a display portion2302, a switch2303, an operation key2304, an infrared port2305etc. The light emitting device manufactured in accordance with the present invention can be used as the display unit2302.

FIG. 13Eshows a portable image reproducing device provided with a recording medium (specifically, a DVD player). The device is composed of a main body2401, a case2402, a display unit A2403, a display unit B2404, a recording medium (DVD etc.) reading unit2405, operation keys2406, speaker units2407, etc. The display unit A2403mainly displays image information whereas the display unit B2404mainly displays text information. The light emitting device manufactured in accordance with the present invention can be used for the display unit A2403and the display unit B2404both. An image reproducing device provided with a recording medium includes a household game machine.

FIG. 13Fshows a goggle-type display(head mount display), which is composed of a main body2501, a display portion2502, and an arm portion2503. The light emitting device manufactured in accordance with the present invention can be used as the display unit2502.

FIG. 13Gshows a video camera, which is composed Of a main body2601, a display portion2602, a case2603, an outer connection port2604, a remote control receiving portion2605, an image receiving portion2606, a battery2607, an audio input portion2608, an operation key2609, an eye piece portion2610, etc. The light emitting device manufactured in accordance with the present invention can be used as the display unit2602.

FIG. 13Hshows a portable image taking display apparatus, which is composed of a main body2701, a display portion2702, an image receiving portion2703), in operation switch2704, a battery2705, etc. The light emitting device manufactured in accordance with the present invention, especially shownFIG. 9can be used as the display unit2702. Being curved itself, the light emitting device of the present invention can he effectively built in a three-dimensionally curved electric apparatus that is designed on the basis of ergonomics.

If the luminance of light emitted from an organic material is raised in future, the light emitting device can be used in a front or rear projector by magnifying and projecting outputted light that contains image information with a lens etc.

Electric apparatuses as those given in the above-mentioned now display information distributed through Internet, CATV (cable television), and other electronic communication lines, animation information, in particular, with increasing frequency. Organic materials have very fast response speed and therefore light emitting devices are preferable modes for displaying animated images.

When displaying information on a light emitting device, it is preferred to allow as small number of pixels as possible to emit light because the light emitting device consumes more power as the number of emitting pixels is increased. Therefore, if a light emitting device is used in a display unit that mainly displays text information such as a portable information terminal, particularly a cellular phone or an audio replaying device, the display device is preferably driven so that pixels emitting light form text information while pixels that are not emitting, light form the background on the screen.

As described above, the light emitting device manufactured in accordance with the present invention has a very wide application range and is applicable to electric appliances of every field. The electric appliances of this embodiment can employ as their display units the light emitting devices manufactured in Embodiments 1 through 8.

The present invention can provide a light emitting device having a low-resistant conductive film by forming an electrode from a transparent conductive film, a transparent conductive resin, and conductors.

The transparent conductive film and the transparent conductive resin are transparent and have conductivity, and an opening is provided between adjacent conductors. Therefore light emitted from the organic compound layer can retch outside through the opening. This allows the organic compound layer to emit light upward. A light-shielding material may be employed for the lower electrode.

The present invention employs a seating method in which the contact between the organic compound layer and oxygen or moisture is avoided by forming the transparent conductive resin between the transparent conductive film and the conductors. Accordingly there is no need to provide a space filled with inert gas, making it possible to reduce the thickness of the light emitting device greatly.