Light-emitting element, display device, and method for producing light-emitting element

A light-emitter including: a transparent first electrode; a charge injection transport layer; a light-emitting layer; and a transparent second electrode, layered in this order. The light-emitting layer is defined by a bank. The charge injection transport layer has a recessed structure including: an inner bottom surface in contact with a bottom surface of the light-emitting layer; and an inner side surface continuous with the inner bottom surface. The inner side surface includes: a lower edge continuous with the inner bottom surface; and an upper edge continuous with the lower edge. The upper edge is aligned with a bottom periphery of the bank, or has contact with a bottom surface of the bank. The charge injection transport layer has contact with a side surface of the light-emitting layer.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a light-emitter, a display apparatus and a method of manufacturing the light-emitter, and in particular to an organic EL element used in a display apparatus such as a flat display apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Conventionally, in a manufacturing process of an organic EL element, a light emitting layer is formed by patterning by an ink-jet method. The ink-jet method is suitable for forming a uniform thin film pattern in a micro area. The ink-jet method forms the uniform thin film pattern at a pixel region defined by a bank by ejecting drops of an ink composition (hereinafter, referred to simply as “ink”) containing an organic EL material into the pixel region and drying the ink.

When the above method is employed, a surface of the bank is subjected to, for example, a liquid-repellent treatment using fluorine plasma. As a result, the surface of the bank has low wettability to the ink and the ejected ink becomes less likely to overflow the bank and flow in an adjacent pixel region. Accordingly, high-definition patterning becomes possible.

Moreover, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technology for patterning a higher-definition light-emitting layer by: having a two-layered bank composed of a upper bank layer made of a liquid-phobic material and a lower bank layer made of a liquid-philic material; making the upper bank layer have low wettability to the ink so that the ink is less likely to overflow the bank; and making the lower bank layer have high wettability to the ink so that the ink easily stays in the pixel region.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY

However, in order to have the two-layered bank, manufacturing cost of the organic EL element increases since the number of processes increases compared with having a single-layered bank.

In view of the above problem, one non-limiting and exemplary embodiment provides a light-emitter on which a high definition light-emitting layer is patterned and which can be manufactured at low cost.

In one general aspect, the techniques disclosed here feature a double-sided light-emitter that emits light from both sides thereof, comprising: a first electrode; a charge injection transport layer; a functional layer including a light-emitting layer; and a second electrode, the first electrode, the charge injection transport layer, the functional layer and the second electrode being layered in this order, at least the light-emitting layer being defined by a bank, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are transparent electrodes, at least a surface of the bank is liquid-repellent, and the charge injection transport layer is composed of a metal compound that is more liquid-philic than the surface of the bank, the charge injection transport layer has a recessed structure so that in a region defined by the bank, the charge injection transport layer is lower than a bottom surface of the bank, the recessed structure of the charge injection transport layer includes: (i) an inner bottom portion having an inner bottom surface that is in contact with a bottom surface of the functional layer; and (ii) an inner side portion having an inner side surface that is continuous with the inner bottom surface, and the inner bottom portion has a smaller film thickness than the inner side portion.

With the stated structure, since the charge injection transport layer includes a recessed structure that includes the inner bottom portion having the inner bottom surface that is in contact with the bottom surface of the functional layer and the inner side portion having the inner side surface that is continuous with the inner bottom surface, in a manufacturing process, the recessed portion retains drops of ink that have been ejected in the region defined by the bank. In addition, on an inner surface of the recessed portion, the charge injection transport layer is principally composed of a metal compound that is more liquid-philic than the surface of the bank and has high wettability to the ink. Therefore, the inner surface of the recessed portion can stably hold the drops of the ink therein. Thus, the drops of the ink do not easily overflow the bank and flow in an adjacent pixel region, and a light-emitting layer can be finely patterned. Additionally, the recessed portion can be easily formed by, for example, melting a part of the charge injection transport layer with pure water. Also, unlike a light emitter of Patent Literature 1, a complicated process for making a two-layer bank is unnecessary. As a result, it is possible to enable such a light emitter at a low price.

These general and specific aspects may be implemented using a manufacturing method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[Overview of Aspects of the Present Invention]

In one general aspect, the techniques disclosed here feature a double-sided light-emitter that emits light from both sides thereof, comprising: a first electrode; a charge injection transport layer; a functional layer including a light-emitting layer; and a second electrode, the first electrode, the charge injection transport layer, the functional layer and the second electrode being layered in this order, at least the light-emitting layer being defined by a bank, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are transparent electrodes, at least a surface of the bank is liquid-repellent, and the charge injection transport layer is composed of a metal compound that is more liquid-philic than the surface of the bank, the charge injection transport layer has a recessed structure so that in a region defined by the bank, the charge injection transport layer is lower than a bottom surface of the bank, the recessed structure of the charge injection transport layer includes: (i) an inner bottom portion having an inner bottom surface that is in contact with a bottom surface of the functional layer; and (ii) an inner side portion having an inner side surface that is continuous with the inner bottom surface, and the inner bottom portion has a smaller film thickness than the inner side portion.

Here, a term “charge injection transport layer” is a collective term for a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a hole injection and transport layer, an electron injection layer, an electron transport layer, an electron injection and transport layer, and so on. For example, the charge injection transport layer may be composed of the hole injection layer, the hole transport layer, two layers composed of the hole injection layer and the hole transport layer, the hole injection and transport layer, the electron injection layer, the electron transport layer, two layers composed of the electron injection layer and electron transport layer, and an electron injection transport layer.

Note that, terms “liquid-philic” and “liquid-repellent” are each used in a relative sense. As described above, a bank has liquid-repellency at least on a surface thereof. On the other hand, when the charge injection transport layer is principally composed of a metal compound with liquid-philicity, a surface of the charge injection transport layer is more liquid-philic than the surface of the bank, and the surface of the bank is more liquid-repellent than the surface of the charge injection transport layer. Also, the surface of the charge injection transport layer with liquid-philicity relatively has high wettability to ink, and the surface of the bank with liquid-repellency relatively has low wettability to the ink. Note that, liquid-philicity or liquid-repellency can be, for example, defined by a contact angle at which the ink meets the surface of the bank or the charge injection transport layer. For example, when the contact angle is equal to or smaller than 10°, the surface is defined to have liquid-philicity, and when the contact surface is equal to or greater than 35°, the surface is defined to have liquid-repellency.

The charge injection transport layer may be a hole injection layer made from one of a metal oxide, a metal nitride, and a metal oxynitride.

The functional layer may include a hole transport layer that transports holes from the hole injection layer to the light-emitting layer, and the hole transport layer may be interposed between the hole injection layer and the light-emitting layer.

The transparent electrodes may be made from ITO or IZO.

A metal thin film that is semi-transparent or transparent may be layered on either or both the first electrode and the second electrode.

The metal thin film may contain any material selected from the group consisting of Ag, Mg, Al, Pt, Pd, Au, Ni, Ir and Cr, and may have a thickness falling within a range of 3 nm to 30 nm.

The recessed structure may be cup-like shaped.

In the region defined by the bank, the charge injection transport layer having the recessed structure may be lower than a bottom periphery of the bank and may be aligned with the bottom periphery of the bank.

The light-emitting layer may include a layer containing a high-polymer material.

The charge injection transport layer may extend along the bottom surface of the bank to an adjacent pixel.

Another aspect provides a double-sided light-emitter that emits light from both sides thereof, comprising: a first electrode; a charge injection transport layer; a functional layer including a light-emitting layer; and a second electrode, the first electrode, the charge injection transport layer, the functional layer and the second electrode being layered in this order, at least the light-emitting layer being defined by a bank, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are transparent electrodes, at least a surface of the bank is liquid-repellent, the charge injection transport layer includes: (i) a metal compound that is dissolvable by a predetermined solvent; and (ii) a recessed portion where the metal compound has been dissolved by the predetermined solvent, the recessed portion of the charge injection transport layer includes: (i) an inner bottom portion having an inner bottom surface that is in contact with a bottom surface of the functional layer; and (ii) an inner side portion having an inner side surface that is continuous with the inner bottom surface and in contact at least with a portion of a side surface of the functional layer, and the inner bottom portion has a smaller film thickness than the inner side portion.

The charge injection transport layer may be a hole injection layer made from one of a metal oxide, a metal nitride, and a metal oxynitride.

The metal oxide may comprise one of an oxide of tungsten and molybdenum.

The functional layer may include a hole transport layer that transports holes from the hole injection layer to the light-emitting layer, and the hole transport layer may be interposed between the hole injection layer and the light-emitting layer.

The transparent electrodes may be made from ITO or IZO.

A metal thin film that is semi-transparent or transparent may be layered on either or both the first electrode and the second electrode.

The metal thin film may contain any material selected from the group consisting of Ag, Mg, Al, Pt, Pd, Au, Ni, Ir and Cr, and may have a thickness falling within a range of 3 nm to 30 nm.

The charge injection transport layer may be liquid-philic, and the bank may be liquid-repellent.

The predetermined solvent may be at least one of a developing solution for removing a part of a resist film used to form the bank and a cleaning fluid for cleaning residuals of the resist film remaining after formation of the bank.

Another aspect provides a display apparatus comprising the light-emitter having any of the above-described structures.

Another aspect provides a method of manufacturing a light-emitter, comprising: forming a first electrode on a substrate, the first electrode being a transparent electrode; forming, above the first electrode, a thin film including a metal compound that is dissolvable by a predetermined solvent; forming a bank on the thin film by forming a resist film including a resist material on the thin film and etching the resist film with a developing solution, at least a surface of the bank being liquid-repellent; forming, after the bank is formed, a charge injection transport layer by cleaning residuals of the resist film that adhere to the thin film with a cleaning fluid and dissolving a part of the thin film with the cleaning fluid, the charge injection transport layer including a recessed portion, the recessed portion including an inner bottom portion having an inner bottom surface and an inner side portion having an inner side surface that is continuous with the inner bottom surface; forming a functional layer by coating the inner bottom surface of the charge injection transport layer and the inner side surface of the charge injection transport layer with ink drops deposited into a region partitioned by the bank and drying the ink drops; and forming a second electrode above the light-emitting layer, the second electrode being a transparent electrode, wherein the inner bottom portion has a smaller film thickness than the inner side portion.

The charge injection transport layer may be a hole injection layer made from one of a metal oxide, a metal nitride, and a metal oxynitride.

The functional layer may include a hole transport layer that transports holes from the hole injection layer to the light-emitting layer, and the hole transport layer may be interposed between the hole injection layer and the light-emitting layer.

The transparent electrodes may be made from ITO or IZO.

A metal thin film that is semi-transparent or transparent may be layered on either or both the first electrode and the second electrode.

The metal thin film may contain any material selected from the group consisting of Ag, Mg, Al, Pt, Pd, Au, Ni, Ir and Cr, and may have a thickness falling within a range of 3 nm to 30 nm.

Another aspect provides a method of manufacturing a light-emitter, comprising: forming a first electrode on a substrate, the first electrode being a transparent electrode; forming, above the first electrode, a thin film including a metal compound that is soluble in a predetermined solvent; forming a bank on the thin film by forming a resist film including a resist material on the thin film and etching the resist film with a developing solution, at least a surface of the bank being liquid-repellent; forming a charge injection transport layer by cleaning residuals of the resist film that adhere to the thin film and dissolving a part of the thin film with the developing solution, the charge injection transport layer including a recessed portion, the recessed portion including an inner bottom portion having an inner bottom surface and an inner side portion having an inner side surface that is continuous with the inner bottom surface; forming a functional layer by coating the inner bottom surface of the charge injection transport layer and the inner side surface of the charge injection transport layer with ink drops deposited into a region defined by the bank and drying the ink drops; and forming a second electrode above the functional layer, the second electrode being a transparent electrode, wherein the inner bottom portion has a smaller film thickness than the inner side portion.

The charge injection transport layer may be a hole injection layer made from one of a metal oxide, a metal nitride, and a metal oxynitride.

The functional layer may include a hole transport layer that transports holes from the hole injection layer to the light-emitting layer, and the hole transport layer may be interposed between the hole injection layer and the light-emitting layer.

The transparent electrodes may be made from ITO or IZO.

A metal thin film that is semi-transparent or transparent may be layered on either or both the first electrode and the second electrode.

The metal thin film may contain any material selected from the group consisting of Ag, Mg, Al, Pt, Pd, Au, Ni, Ir and Cr, and may have a thickness falling within a range of 3 nm to 30 nm.

The following explains a light-emitter, a display apparatus and a method of manufacturing the light-emitter with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings are not to scale, so that proportions of members in the drawings are different from actual proportions.

First Embodiment

Schematic Structure of Light-Emitter

FIG. 1is a schematic view showing a layered condition of layers constituting a light-emitter pertaining to a first embodiment, andFIG. 2is an enlarged view of a part enclosed with a dashed line inFIG. 1.

AsFIG. 1shows, the light-emitter pertaining to the first embodiment is a double-sided EL element including RGB pixels that are arranged in a matrix or in line. Each pixel has a layer structure and each layer is disposed on a substrate.

On a TFT substrate1(hereinafter, referred to simply as “substrate1”), a first electrode2, which is an anode, is formed together with other first electrodes2in a matrix or in line. On the first electrode2, an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer3, and a hole injection layer4as the charge injection transport layer are layered in this order. Note that, while the ITO layer3is laminated only on the first electrode2, the hole injection layer4is formed not only on the first electrode2but also over the substrate1.

On the hole injection layer4, a bank5that defines pixels is formed, and in a region defined by the bank5, a light-emitting layer6is disposed. Furthermore, on the light-emitting layer6, an electron injection layer7, a second electrode8, which is a cathode, and a passivation layer9are formed so as to be continuous with respective layers of an adjacent pixel, passing over the region defined by the bank5. When driven, the organic EL element produces light from both sides, namely the side closer to the first electrode2and the side closer to the second electrode8.

The region defined by the bank5has a multi-layer structure according to which the ITO layer3, the hole injection layer4, a functional layer including the light-emitting layer6, and the electron injection layer7are layered in this order. Note that the functional layer may include a hole transport layer, an electron transport layer, and the likes in addition to the light-emitting layer6.

<Constituent Components of Light-Emitter>

The following specifically explains each component of the light-emitter. It should be noted here that each component should be transparent so that the light-emitter will be a double-sided light-emitter.

The first electrode2is formed as a transparent electrode. In this example, the first electrode102is formed from an anode base layer1021. The anode base layer1021is formed with use of metal oxide such as ITO and IZO, or APC (alloy of silver, palladium and copper), ARA (alloy of silver, rubidium and gold), MoCr (alloy of molybdenum and chrome) or NiCr (alloy of nickel and chrome), for example. Alternatively, it may be a metal film containing any material selected from the group consisting of Ag, Mg, Al, Pt, Pd, Au, Ni, Ir and Cr. In any of the cases, it is formed to be thick to some extent (e.g. film thickness of 3 nm to 30 nm, more preferably 12 nm to 15 nm) so as to have sufficient transparency. Although the first electrode2, and the second electrode8which will be described later, are both transparent electrodes, it should be noted here that they can be referred to as “semi-transparent or transparent” thin film, because they have a certain degree of transparency. Even in the case of a film made of metal material generally known as opaque material, the film can be semi-transparent or transparent and have the certain degree of transparency when processed to be thin as described above.

FIG. 15is a graph showing the relationship between the degree of transparency (T %) and the wavelength with respect to tungsten oxide (WOx) having a thickness of 12 nm or 15 nm. As shown in this figure, in the case of tungsten oxide, the degree of transparency will be equal to or greater than 85% with respect to a wide wavelength range covering 350 nm to 650 nm when the thickness is set to fall within the range of 12 nm to 15 nm. Besides, academic paper (V. Bulovic, G. Gu, P. E. Burrows, S. R. Forrest, Nature vol. 380, 29 (1996)) discusses about a double-sided OELD using Mg—Ag alloy electrodes having a film thickness falling within the range of 5 to 40 nm. Furthermore, Patent Literature 2 shows that a desirable transparency can be achieved by setting the thickness of the cathode to fall within the range of 10 to 800 nm. In view of the findings above, it can be concluded that a sufficient transparency can be achieved with the first electrode2and the second electrode8when the thickness of the metal material thereof is set to fall within the range of 3 nm to 30 nm.

The ITO layer3is interposed between the first electrode2and the hole injection layer4, and has a function of improving the bond between these layers.

The hole injection layer4contains a metal compound soluble in a predetermined solvent. To be specific, the hole injection layer4is formed with WOx (tungsten oxide) or MoWOx (molybdenum tungsten oxide). Note that the hole injection layer4only has to be formed with a metal compound that is more liquid-philic than a surface of the bank5. Examples of a metal compound having liquid-philicity include a metal oxide, metal nitride, or metal oxynitride.

When the hole injection layer4is formed with a metal oxide, holes can be easily injected, contributing to effective light emission by electrons in the light-emitting layer6, which allows for excellent light-emitting characteristics to be obtained. Examples of a metal oxide include an oxide of chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), vanadium (V), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), titanium (Ti), zircon (Zr), hafnium (Hf), scandium (Sc), yttrium (Y), thorium (Th), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), ruthenium (Ru), osmium (Os), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), indium (In), silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), stannum (Sn), lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), bismuth (Bi), and so-called rare earth from lanthanum (La) to lutetium (Lu). Especially, aluminum oxide (Al2O3), copper oxide (CuO) and silicon monoxide (SiO) can contribute to a prolonged service life.

It is preferable that the metal compound be composed of a transition metal. The transition metal occupies a plurality of potential levels since there are a plurality of oxidation numbers. This makes hole injection easy and allows for reduction of driving voltage.

AsFIG. 2shows, the hole injection layer4extends along the bottom surface of the bank5to an adjacent pixel. Also, a portion of the charge injection transport layer4in a region defined by the bank5has a recessed structure according to which the portion of the charge injection transport layer4is lower than the bottom surface of the bank5, and includes a recessed portion4a(indicated with mesh hatching inFIG. 2) formed by being dissolved by a predetermined solvent. In addition, with regard to the hole injection layer4, only a film thickness in the region defined by the bank5is smaller than a film thickness in other regions, and the film thickness in the other regions is entirely and substantially uniform. Since the hole injection layer4is formed by a metal compound having liquid-philicity, an inner surface4bof the recessed portion4ahas excellent wettability to ink. Accordingly, this allows for drops of the ink ejected into the region defined by the bank5to easily adhere to the inner surface4bof the recessed portion4a, and the drops of the ink easily stay within the region defined by the bank5.

Note that the hole injection layer4only has to have a recessed structure in which the recessed portion4ais lower than the peripheral edge5aof the bottom surface of the bank5, and does not have to be lower than the entire bottom surface of the bank5. In the recessed structure of the present embodiment, the recessed portion4ais lower than a peripheral edge5aof the bottom surface of the bank but not lower than a central part5bof the bottom surface of the bank. Alternatively, for example, by setting the central part5bas high as the peripheral edge5aand planarizing the bottom surface of the bank5, as an alternate long and two short dashes line5cshows inFIG. 2, it may be possible to have the recessed structure according to which the recessed portion4ais lower than the entire bottom surface of the bank5.

The hole injection layer4has a recessed structure according to which a portion of the hole injection layer4is lower than and aligned with the bottom periphery5dof the bank. To be specific, an upper surface of the hole injection layer4, which is defined by the bank5, is sunken from a level of the bottom periphery5din a direction substantially vertical to the upper surface of the substrate1. Like this, in the case of the recessed structure according to which the portion of the hole injection layer4is lower than and aligned with the bottom periphery5dof the bank5, a film thickness of the light-emitting layer6can be uniformed over a wide range, and as a result, irregular luminance is not likely to occur in the light-emitting layer6.

The recessed structure of the hole injection layer4has a cup-like shape. To be more specific, an inner surface4bof the recessed portion4ais composed of an inner bottom surface4cand an inner side surface4d. The inner bottom surface4cis substantially parallel with the upper surface of the substrate1and uniformed, and is in contact with a bottom surface6aof the light-emitting layer6. The inner side surface4dextends from a periphery of the inner bottom surface4cin a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the substrate1and is in contact with a side surface6bof the light-emitting layer6. When the recessed structure has a cup-like shape, the inner side surface4dprevents the drops of the ink within the recessed portion4afrom moving in a direction parallel to the upper surface of the substrate1. Accordingly, it is possible to more stably hold the drops of the ink within the region defined by the bank5. Moreover, when the recessed structure has the cup-like shape, the inner surface4bof the recessed portion4abecomes larger in area, and a contact surface of the drops of the ink and the hole injection layer4becomes larger in area. Accordingly, it is possible to more stably hold the drops of the ink within the region defined by the bank5. Therefore, high-definition patterning of the light-emitting layer6is possible.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the bank5and the hole injection layer4are connected to each other in a substantially vertical direction, and then the ink easily gets wet at a bottom of the light-emitting layer6. Accordingly, the light-emitting layer6with excellent efficiency can be formed. Here, when the bank5and the hole injection layer4are connected to each other in a horizontal direction, the ink do not easily get wet in the vicinity of a connection section of the bank5with the hole injection layer4. Accordingly, the light-emitting layer6might not be fully formed at the bottom surface thereof, and as a result, electrical leakage might occur. That is, a technical meaning resides in that the bank5and the hole injection layer4are connected to each other not in the horizontal direction but in the substantially vertical direction in order to excellently form the light-emitting layer6.

Note that, in the case that the bank5and the hole injection layer4are connected to each other in the substantially vertical direction, the direction is not limited to the vertical direction but may be a diagonal direction. In other word, the direction only has to be a direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal direction.

The following explains the recessed structure of the hole injection layer4in more detail. AsFIG. 3Ashows, the inner side surface4dof the recessed portion4ais composed of a lower side edge that is continuous with the inner bottom surface4cand an upper side edge4e(hereinafter, referred to as “upper edge4e”) that is continuous with the lower side edge. The upper edge4eof the inner side surface4dof the recessed portion4ais aligned with the bottom periphery5dof the bank5closer to the light-emitting layer6, and the inner side surface4dand the inner bottom surface4care continuous with each other in a round shape. Note that, when the upper edge4eof the inner side surface4dis aligned with the bottom periphery5dof the bank5, the recessed portion4ais not limited to the shape shown inFIG. 3A, in which the inner side surface4dis substantially vertical to the inner bottom surface4c. AsFIG. 3Bshows, the inner side surface4dand a side surface5eof the bank5may have substantially the same inclination and extend on the same plane. AsFIG. 3Cshows, the inner side surface4dand the inner bottom surface4cmay be continuous with each other not in the round shape. AsFIG. 3Dshows, the inner side surface4dmay be inclined opposite to the side surface5eof the bank5so as to go under the bank5.

Alternatively, the hole injection layer4is not limited to have the recessed structure in which the hole injection layer4is lower than and aligned with the bottom periphery5dof the bank5. For example, asFIG. 4shows, the upper edge4eof the inner side surface4dmay not be aligned with the bottom periphery5dof the bank5, and the upper edge4emay be closer to an adjacent pixel than the bottom periphery5dis. In such a case, AsFIG. 5Ashows, the inner side surface4dof the recessed portion4ahas the upper edge4ethat is in contact with a bottom surface5aof the bank5. Note that, when the upper edge4eof the inner side surface4dis in contact with the bottom surface5aof the bank5, the recessed portion4ais not limited to the shape shown inFIG. 5A, in which the inner side surface4dis substantially vertical to the inner bottom surface4c. AsFIG. 5Bshows, the inner side surface4dand a side surface5eof the bank5may have a substantially same inclination. AsFIG. 5Cshows, the inner side surface4dand the inner bottom surface4cmay be continuous with each other not in the round shape. AsFIG. 5Dshows, the inner side surface4dmay be inclined opposite to the side surface5eof the bank5so as to go under the bank5.

Since the inner side surface4dhas the upper end edge4ethat meets the lower edges5dof the banks5or the upper end edge4eis in contact with the bottom surface5aof the banks5, a short is not likely to occur. Supposedly, as a line with alternate long and two short dashes10shows inFIG. 4, when the recessed portion is formed by being recessed from a portion nearer to a center of pixels rather than the portion whose level corresponds to the lower edges5dof the banks5, a short might occur between the electrodes2and8via exposed areas4fthat are exposed from the banks5above the hole-injection layer4. Especially, as described later, when an average film thickness h of the light-emitting layer6is smaller or equal to an average depth t of the recessed portion4a, an uncovered area4fof hole injection layer4that is a part of an upper surface of the hole injection layer4and uncovered with the bank5might be in contact with the electron injection layer7or the second electrode8. Accordingly, a short circuit might occur between the electrodes2and8.

Returning toFIG. 2, though the present disclosure does not specify the average depth t of the recessed portion4a, the average depth t may be 5 nm to 100 nm, for example. If the average depth t of the recessed portion4ais equal to or greater than 5 nm, it is possible to hold sufficient amount of the ink within the recessed portion4a. Accordingly, it is possible to stably maintain the ink within the region defined by the bank5. Furthermore, since the light-emitting layer6is formed until a periphery of the bank5without being rejected, the short circuit between the electrodes2and8can be prevented.

Note that, the average depth t of the recessed portion4acan be obtained by measuring a surface profile of the hole injection layer4with use of a stylus profiler meter or an AFM (Atomic Force Microscope), and calculating a difference between an average height of a portion that is a crest and an average height of a portion that is a trough based on the surface profile.

On the other hand, the film thickness of the light-emitting layer6is not specifically determined. However, if an average film thickness h of the light-emitting layer6after dried is equal to or greater than 100 nm and an average depth t of the recessed portion4ais equal to or smaller than 100 nm, for example, it is possible to uniform a film thickness of the light-emitting layer6at the region defined by the bank5.

Furthermore, it is preferable that a difference between the average film thickness h of the light-emitting layer6and the average depth t of the recessed portion4abe equal to or smaller than 20 nm. When the average film thickness h of the light-emitting layer6is much smaller than the average depth t of the recessed portion4a(for example, t−h>20 nm), there is a portion that is out of contact with the light-emitting layer6(portion not covered with the light-emitting layer6) at the inner side surface4dof the recessed portion4a, asFIG. 6Ashows. Then a short circuit might occur between the electrodes2and8at that portion. On the other hand, when the average film thickness h of the light-emitting layer6is much greater than the average depth t of the recessed portion4a(for example, h−t>20 nm), liquid-repellency of the bank5causes a film thickness of a bank vicinity portion6cof the light-emitting layer6to become smaller than other portions, asFIG. 6Bshows. As a result, a cross-sectional shape of the light-emitting layer6has a substantially convex shape, and this might result in irregular light emission caused by a difference of film thickness.

Note that, the inner side surface4dof the recessed portion4aonly has to be in contact with at least a part of the side surface6bof the light-emitting layer6. For example, asFIG. 2andFIG. 6Bshow, when the average film thickness h of the light-emitting layer6is equal to or greater than the average depth t of the recessed portion4a, only a part of a lower part of the side surface6bof the light-emitting layer6is in contact with the inner side surface4dof the recessed portion4a. On the other hand, asFIG. 6Ashows, when the average film thickness h of the light-emitting layer6is smaller than the average depth t of the recessed portion4a, the side surface6bof the light-emitting layer6is entirely in contact with the inner side surface4dof the recessed portion4a.

AsFIG. 7shows, in the recessed portion4aof the hole injection layer4, a liquid-philic layer12such as an IL layer (intermediate layer) may be formed under the light-emitting layer6. The IL layer is a hole transport layer included in the functional layer. In this case, the drops of the ink are ejected not on the inner bottom surface4cof the recessed portion4abut on an upper surface12aof the liquid-philic layer12. However, since the upper surface12ais liquid-philic, it is possible to stably hold the drops of the ink within the region defined by the bank5. However, if the recessed portion4ais totally filled with the liquid-philic layer12, the inner side surface4dof the recessed portion4abecomes out of contact with the ink. Accordingly, an average film thickness g of the liquid-philic layer12is preferably smaller than the average depth t of the recessed portion4a. Here, since the hole-injection layer4is made from a metal oxide thin film that is thin enough as the first electrode2, the hole-injection layer4has desirable transparency as described with reference toFIG. 15.

The bank5is formed with an organic material such as resin or an inorganic material such as glass and has insulating properties. Examples of the organic material include acrylic resin, polyimide resin, novolac-type phenolic resin, etc. Examples of the inorganic material include silicon oxide (SiO2), silicon nitride (Si3N4), etc. It is preferable that the bank5have organic solvent resistance, and have certain light transparency to visible light. Furthermore, since the bank5is etched, baked, etc. when formed, it is preferable that the bank5be formed from a material highly resistant to the etching and baking processes.

At least the surface of the bank5is provided with liquid-repellency. Accordingly, when the bank5is formed with a liquid-philic material, it is necessary that the surface of the bank5be subjected to, for example, a liquid-repellent treatment in order to make the surface of the bank5liquid-repellent.

Note that the bank5may be a pixel bank or a line bank. In the case of a pixel bank, the bank5is formed to surround a whole circumference of the light-emitting layer6including a pixel. In the case of a line bank, the bank5is formed to define a plurality of pixels by column or by row. In other words, the bank exists only as columns or as rows on either side of a light-emitting layer6, and a light-emitting layer6is continuous with other light-emitting layers6in the same column or row.

The electron injection layer7has the function of transporting electrons injected through the second electrode8to the light-emitting layer6and is preferably formed, for example, from barium, phthalocyanine, lithium fluoride, or a combination thereof.

The second electrode8is made from transparent electrode material that is similar to the material of the anode102, and is formed to have an appropriate film thickness (3 nm to 30 nm) in the same manner as the anode102so as to achieve desirable transparency.

The passivation layer9has a function of preventing the light-emitting layer6and so on from being exposed to moisture and air. The passivation layer9is made from a material such as SiN (silicon nitride) and SiON (silicon oxynitride). A top-emission type light-emitter preferably includes the passivation layer9made of a light-transmissive material.

In the case of double-sided light-emitters, an important factor of the luminescence property of the element is that both the upper surface and the lower surface of the substrate efficiently produce light. Meanwhile, the inventors of the present invention have been making an effort to improve the luminescence property of the organic EL element by using a metal compound as the charge injection transport layer of the organic EL element.

However, in generally, metal compounds absorb visible light at a certain rate. Therefore, there is a problem that the light generated by the light-emitting layer is absorbed by the charge injection transport layer absorbs before being emitted to the outside, which leads to the degradation of the luminous efficiency.

There is another problem. When the peripheral edge of the recess formed in the surface of the charge injection transport layer is not covered with an insulative covering part, electric field concentrates in the vicinity of the edge of the recess, and localized flow of current might occur in the light-emitting layer. As a result, the uneven luminance occurs in a light-emitting surface and a life of the organic EL element is reduced due to localized deterioration of the light-emitting layer.

In particular, when localized light emission occurs in the light-emitting surface, it means that the light-emitting surface includes a light-emitting area and a non-light-emitting area. If the element is the double-sided light-emitter, the non-light-emitting area does not contribute to the light emission, and the substrate will be simply transparent. As a result, the background behind the light-emitter is seen through the substrate, and the display quality of the light-emitter or the display panel using such light-emitters will be degraded.

In addition, in the process of drying the ink applied by an inkjet method, the organic light-emitting layer may be affected by static electricity for example, depending on whether or not the ink exists in the adjacent pixels. As a result, the organic light-emitting layer can be thicker near one of the adjacent banks than near the other bank (Regarding this problem, see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-73700, paragraph 0018 and FIGS. 1B and 1C, for example.). If such an uneven organic light-emitting layer is dried, the film thickness will be not uniform and irregular light emission occurs in the light-emitters. This shortens the life of the light-emitters. For example, when a display device is manufactured by arranging a plurality of light-emitters, if one of the light-emitters finishes its life in a short period, the luminescence property of the entire apparatus will be significantly degraded. There is a possibility that some pixels will not emit light or emit only weak light, and this may lead to a short life of the entire apparatus.

In view of the problems above, the present embodiment provides the following structure: in an area defined by the bank5, a charge injection transport layer (hole injection layer4) has a recess4ain an upper surface thereof, and a light-emitting layer6is formed on the bottom of the recess103a. By using the recess4awhich is a relatively thin part in the hole injection layer4, the absorption rate of the light emitted from the light-emitting layer6when driven is reduced.

This effect will be specifically described next. For example, when a tungsten oxide layer is used as the charge injection transport layer, the optical transmittance at the wavelength of 400 nm is 95% when the film thickness of the tungsten oxide layer is 12 nm and 93% when the film thickness is 15 nm. The optical transmittance at the wavelength of 450 nm is 97% when the film thickness of the tungsten oxide is 12 nm and 95% when the film thickness is 15 nm. The optical transmittance at the wavelength of 530 nm is 98% when the film thickness of the tungsten oxide is 12 nm and 97% when the film thickness is 15 nm. In this way, even though the difference in the film thickness of the tungsten oxide is only 3 nm, the optical transmittance greatly differs. That is, the difference in the optical transmittance increases in proportion to the difference in the film thickness.

In the case of a device like a light-emitting device having a multilayer structure, the optical transmittance of the device is obtained by multiplying the transmittances of the layers. Therefore, it is important to improve the optical transmittance of each layer so as to be close to 100%. In particular, in the case of blue light, which involves difficulty in development of the material, the present embodiment is effective for improving the optical transmittance and the luminous efficiency, and is therefore effective for improving the characteristics of the device in total. As described above, the recess formed in the area of the charge injection transport layer defined by the bank improves the optical transmittance of the light-emitting area, which leads to a desirable double-sided light-emitter. A desirable range of the depth of the recess4ais approximately 5 nm to 30 nm.

In the present embodiment, the bank5is liquid-repellent at least on the surface thereof. On the other hand, the charge injection transport layer (hole injection layer4) is principally composed of a metal compound that is more liquid-philic than the surface of the bank, and the hole injection layer4has a recess (recessed structure)4aso that in a region defined by the bank5, the hole injection layer4is lower than a bottom surface of the bank5. With this structure, drops of ink can be stably retained in the region defined by the bank5during the manufacturing. Also, in the ink drying process, ink is prevented from being dried in the state of being gathered near any of the banks5. Therefore, the organic light-emitting layer6can be formed to have a uniform film thickness, and the light-emitters and the light-emitting device can be prevented from having a short life due to irregular light emission.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the peripheral edge of the recess4aformed in the hole-injection layer4is covered with a portion of the bank5. This prevents localized light emission in the light-emitting surface, and realizes uniform light emission from the entirety of the desired light-emitting area. As described above, no non-light-emitting area, which does not contribute to lighting, is formed in the light-emitting surface. Therefore, light generated by the light-emitting layer is emitted outside from both the upper surface and the lower surface of the display with high luminous efficiency (as indicated by the arrows shown inFIG. 1). As a result, desirable light emission or display is realized while preventing the background behind the double-sided light-emitter from being seen through the substrate.

<Method of Manufacturing Light-Emitter>

FIGS. 8A-8Dare processing drawings for explaining a method of manufacturing a light-emitter pertaining to the first embodiment.FIGS. 8E-8Hare processing drawings for explaining the method of manufacturing the light-emitter pertaining to the first embodiment, which followsFIG. 8D.

In the manufacturing process of a light-emitter pertaining to the first embodiment, first, as shown inFIG. 8A, the first electrode2is formed on the substrate1made of glass by vacuum forming. As the vacuum forming, a known process may be adopted, such as a vacuum deposition method, sputtering, an electron beam method, a CVD method, or ion plating. When sputtering is selected from the methods listed above to form an Ag thin film, a sputtering apparatus is used. The sputtering apparatus utilizes a known DC magnetron sputtering method, for example. The chamber is filled with an inactive gas such as an argon gas at a predetermined pressure (e.g. 3×10−1Pa), and an Ag thin film is uniformly formed on the surface of the substrate1. Subsequently, the Ag thin film is patterned by photo lithography, and thus the first electrodes2are formed in a matrix.

Alternatively, when a vacuum deposition method is used, resistance heating is desirable. Specifically, pellets for deposition containing a predetermined transparent electrode material, or particles of the material, are put into a resistance heating boat or a resistance heating filament of a vacuum deposition apparatus. Next, the substrate1is attached to a given substrate holder, the inside pressure of the chamber is reduced to 5×10−4Pa, the substrate is heated to approximately 10° C. to 100° C., and the film is formed at a deposition speed of no greater than 20 nm/sec. After this process, the deposited film is patterned as described above.

Next, as shown inFIG. 8B, the ITO layer3is formed on the first electrode2vacuum forming. As the vacuum forming, a known process may be adopted, such as a vacuum deposition method, sputtering, an electron beam method, a CVD method, or ion plating. When sputtering is selected from the methods listed above to form an Ag thin film, a sputtering apparatus is used. The sputtering apparatus utilizes a known DC magnetron sputtering method, for example. The chamber is filled with an inactive gas such as an argon gas at a predetermined pressure (e.g. 3×10−1Pa), and an Ag thin film is uniformly formed on the surface of the substrate1. Next, a thin ITO film is formed by using similar vacuum forming (e.g. sputtering). The formed thin ITO film is then patterned using the photolithography or the like to form the ITO layer3.

Next, a thin film11containing a metal compound soluble in a predetermined solvent is formed. For example, a thin film of WOx or MoWOx is formed over the entire upper surface of the substrate1so as to have a uniform thickness by vacuum deposition, sputtering, or the like.

Next, asFIG. 8Cshows, the bank5is formed by, for example, photolithography, so as to surround each pixel region (region at which the first electrode2is positioned).

In such a case, for example a resist film (photosensitive organic resin film, etc.) as a bank film, including a resist material as a bank material, is formed on the thin film11by coating or the like, and a resist pattern as a exposure pattern is formed on the resist film by exposure. After that, a desired portion of the resist film is removed by etching as a development process, by applying a development method using a given developing solution (such as tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution). Thus, the pattern of the bank5is formed. Subsequently, cleaning is performed with use of neutral detergent (or an aqueous or non-aqueous release agent) and pure water so as to clear etching residue. Note that, when the bank5is formed from an inorganic material, the bank is formed by a CVD method, for example. Residuals of the resist film that are attached on a surface of the thin film11after etching are removed by hydrofluoric acid, for example. Furthermore, a liquid-repellent treatment is applied to the surface of the bank5, if necessary.

Next, asFIG. 8Dshows, the hole injection layer4is formed by forming the recessed portion4aby melting a part of the thin film11. Thereby, in the hole injection layer4, the region defined by the bank5has a film thickness smaller than a film thickness of other areas. The thin film11has the property of being soluble in pure water or a TMAH solution. Therefore, the recessed portion4ais formed when, for example, an impure substance such as hydrofluoric acid remaining on the surface of the bank5is being cleaned with pure water after residuals of the resist film are removed, by melting the region defined by the bank5on an upper surface of the thin film11with the pure water. In such a case, pure water is the predetermined solvent, and it is possible to change a depth and a shape of the recessed portion4aby changing condition of cleaning with the pure water.

As a specific method, for example, the substrate1is cleaned by ejecting pure water (for example, of a room temperature) thereon, while a spin coater keeps rotating the substrate1. After that, while the substrate1is kept rotating, pure water is stopped being ejected and then drained. In this case, it is possible to change the depth and the shape of the recessed portion4aby changing a time period for ejecting the pure water. Since a melting speed of the thin film11also changes according to a temperature of pure water, it is also possible to adjust the depth and the shape of the recessed portion4aby the temperature of pure water.

A method for forming the recessed portion4ais not limited to the above. For example, after the formation of the bank5, while the residuals of the resist film that are attached on the surface of the thin film11are being cleaned with a cleaning liquid such as pure water, the recessed portion4amay be formed by melting a part of the thin film11by the cleaning liquid at the same time. In such a case, the predetermined solvent is the cleaning liquid. Alternatively, while the resist film is being etched by the developing solution to form the bank5and the residuals of the resist film that are attached on the thin film11are being cleaned by the developing solution, the recessed portion4amay be formed by melting the part of the thin film11at the same time. In such a case, the predetermined solvent is the developing solution.

When the hole injection layer4is formed by dissolving the thin film11with use of a solvent such as a cleaning liquid and a developing solution that are used in forming the bank, productive efficiency is high since a different predetermined solvent to form the recessed portion4ais not required and an additional process to form the recessed portion4ais also not required.

Note that the recessed portion4ais not limited to be formed by using the predetermined solvent. Another method like the following may be used. For example, first, a thin film made of WOx or MoWOx is formed with use of sputtering and photolithography at all the area except an area at which the first electrode2is located. After that, on the thin film, another thin film made of WOx or MoWOx is formed to cover all the area and the hole injection layer4having a recessed shape is formed at the area at which the first electrode2is located.

Next, asFIG. 9Eshows, the light-emitting layer6is formed by ejecting drops of the ink by, for example, the ink jet method in the region defined by the bank5, coating the ink along the inner bottom surface4cand the inner side surface4dof the hole injection layer4, and drying the ink. Note that the ink may be dropped by a dispenser method, a nozzle-coat method, a spin coat method, an intaglio printing, a letter press printing, or the like.

Next, asFIG. 9Fshows, a thin barium film that will be the electron injection layer7is formed by, for example, vacuum deposition. Then asFIG. 9Gshows, an ITO thin film that will be the second electrode8is formed by a similar method as used for forming the first electrode2(e.g. by sputtering). At this point, the light-emitting layer6has already been formed. Therefore, considering the thermal influence and the convenience, it is desirable to form the second electrode8by sputtering or vacuum deposition which applies heat to the substrate1at a relatively low temperature. Note that the intensity of the film formation should be well controlled so that the light-emitting layer6will not be damaged by plasma generate in the sputtering.

With the above-described manufacturing method, after the thin film11having a uniform thickness is formed, a portion of the surface is dissolved during the washing of the resist residue by using a developer or pure water, in order to form a recess and reduces the thickness of the light-emitting area. Then, the hole injection layer4is formed. In a practical film forming process, the productivity of the film can be stabilized by adjusting the film thickness after forming a thick film compared to forming a thin film from the beginning.

That is, in the case of forming a very thin film by the film forming process, it is necessary to complete the process from the beginning to the end in a relatively short period. However, such a thin film is likely to vary in terms of the thickness, the quality, etc. This is because the film formation is performed during a period before the conditions for the film forming become stable (e.g. in the case of a sputtering method, the film formation begins before the plasma generated in the chamber by discharge becomes stable), and the film formed during such a period, which has unstable characteristics, occupies a large proportion to the entire film. In contrast, according to the above-described manufacturing method, the thin film11having a certain thickness is formed first, and then a recess is formed in the surface by dissolving a portion of the surface. Therefore, the method is advantageous in that it is possible to efficiently form the hole injection layer4having an excellent charge injection transport property and whose thickness is thin in the light-emitting area.

Second Embodiment

A light-emitter pertaining to a second embodiment is greatly different from the light-emitter pertaining to the first embodiment in that the ITO layer is not formed under the hole injection layer and that a protection film is formed on the hole injection layer. The following explanation focuses on the difference from the first embodiment, and explanation of the same structure as the first embodiment will be simplified or omitted.

FIG. 10is a schematic view showing a layered condition of layers constituting a light-emitter pertaining to a second embodiment. AsFIG. 10shows, a light-emitter pertaining to the second embodiment includes a first electrode102, which is an anode, formed on a substrate101, and a hole injection layer104and a protective layer110are layered thereon in this order as a charge injection transport layer. Note that the hole injection layer104is formed across an entire upper surface of the substrate101, but the protective layer110is not formed above the first electrode102. In addition, an ITO layer does not exist between the first electrode102and the hole injection layer104.

On the hole injection layer104, a bank105for defining pixels is formed. A light-emitting layer106is layered in a region defined by the bank105, and on the light-emitting layer106, an electron injection layer107, a second electrode108, which is a cathode, and a passivation layer109are fanned so as to be continuous with respective layers of an adjacent pixel, passing over the region defined by the bank105.

<Method of Manufacturing Light-Emitter>

FIGS. 11A-11Dare processing drawings for explaining a method of manufacturing a light-emitter pertaining to the second embodiment. In the manufacturing process of the light-emitter pertaining to the second embodiment, asFIG. 11Ashows, first, on the substrate101that is made of glass, the first electrode102is formed with an aluminum-based (Al) material. Next, a thin film111made of WOx or MoWOx, which will be the hole injection layer104later, is formed on the first electrode102. Then a thin film112made of WOx or MoWOx, which will be the protective layer110, is formed on the thin film111. The thin film112protects the hole injection layer104during etching for forming the bank105.

Next, asFIG. 11Bshows, the bank105is formed on the thin film112. To be specific, a resist film including a resist material is formed on the thin film112, and a resist pattern is formed on the film. After that a desired portion of the resist film is etched by applying a developing solution and removed to form patterning of the bank105. Note that an impure substance such as hydrofluoric acid remaining on a surface of the bank105after the formation of the bank is cleaned by a cleaning liquid such as pure water and removed, and a region defined by the bank105on an upper surface of the thin film112is melted by the cleaning liquid and becomes recessed.

Furthermore, asFIG. 11Cshows, as the treatment with the cleaning liquid continues, the entire region defined by the bank105on the thin film112melts and accordingly the protective layer110is formed. When the thin film112melts, the thin film111is exposed and the region defined by the bank105on the upper surface of the thin film111melts and becomes recessed and then a recessed portion104ais formed. Thus, the hole injection layer104is formed.

Next, asFIG. 11Dshows, the light-emitting layer106is formed within the region defined by the bank105. Subsequent processes are the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof is omitted.

Third Embodiment

A light-emitter pertaining to a third embodiment is greatly different from the light-emitter pertaining to the second embodiment in an area at which a hole injection layer is formed. The following explanation focuses on the difference from the second embodiment, and explanation of the same structure as the second embodiment will be simplified or omitted.

FIG. 12is a schematic view showing a layered condition of layers constituting a light-emitter pertaining to the third embodiment. AsFIG. 12shows, a light-emitter pertaining to the third embodiment includes a first electrode202, which is an anode, formed on a substrate201, and a hole injection layer204and a protective layer210are layered thereon in this order as a charge injection transport layer. Note that the hole injection layer204is not formed across the entire upper surface of the substrate1, but formed only on the first electrode202and at a surrounding area of the first electrode202. On the other hand, the protective layer210is not formed above the first electrode202.

On the hole injection layer204, a bank205for defining pixels is formed. A light-emitting layer206is layered in a region defined by the bank205, and on the light-emitting layer206, an electron injection layer207, a second electrode208, which is a cathode, and a passivation layer209are formed so as to be continuous with respective layers of an adjacent pixel, passing over the region defined by the bank205.

<Method of Manufacturing Light-Emitter>

FIGS. 13A-13Dare processing drawings for explaining a method of manufacturing a light-emitter pertaining to the third embodiment. In the manufacturing process of the light-emitter pertaining to the third embodiment, asFIG. 13Ashows, first, on the substrate101that is made of glass, the first electrode102is formed with an Al material. Next, an oxide film211that will be a hole injection layer204is formed by oxidizing an exposed surface (upper surface and side surface) of the first electrode102. Then a thin film212made of WOx or MoWOx, which will be the protective layer210later, is formed on the oxide film211.

Next, asFIG. 13Bshows, the bank205is formed on the thin film212. An impure substance such as hydrofluoric acid remaining on a surface of the bank205is cleaned with a cleaning liquid such as pure water and removed, and a region defined by the bank205on an upper surface of the thin film212is melted by the cleaning liquid and becomes recessed.

Furthermore, asFIG. 13Cshows, as the treatment with the cleaning liquid continues, all the region of the thin film212, which is defined by the bank205, melts and accordingly a final form, that is, the protective layer210is formed. In addition, when the thin film212melts, the region defined by the bank205on the thin film211is exposed. Accordingly, the upper surface of the region also melts and becomes recessed, and then the recessed portion204ais formed. Thus, the hole injection layer204is formed.

Next, asFIG. 13Dshows, the light-emitting layer206is formed within the region defined by the bank205. Subsequent processes are the same as in First Embodiment, and therefore a description thereof is omitted.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 14is a perspective view showing apparatuses such as a display apparatus pertaining to a fourth embodiment. AsFIG. 14shows, a display apparatus300pertaining to an embodiment of the present invention is an organic EL display formed by a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix. Each pixel emits a color corresponding to one of R (red), G (green), or B (blue) and composed of a light-emitter pertaining to the embodiment of the present invention. The display device300displays images on both sides thereof.

As described above, the light-emitter, the display apparatus and the manufacturing method of the light-emitter pertaining to the present embodiments have been explained. However, the light-emitter, the display apparatus and the manufacturing method of the light-emitter pertaining to an embodiment of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments.

For example, the charge injection transport layer is not limited to the hole injection layer, and may be the hole transport layer or hole injection and transport layer. Also, the first electrode may be a cathode, and the second electrode may be an anode. In such a case, the charge injection transport layer may be the electron injection layer, the electron transport layer or the electron injection and transport layer.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure is applicable to an organic EL display used in a plane light source, a flat display apparatus, or the likes.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

2,102,202first electrodes4,104,204charge injection transport layer4arecessed portion4cinner bottom surface of recessed portion4dinner side surface of recessed portion4eupper side edge4e5,105,205banks5abottom surface of bank5dbottom periphery of bank6,106,206light-emitting layers6abottom surface of light-emitting layer6bside surface of light-emitting layer8,108,208second electrodes300display apparatus