Patent AU-2017341162-B2 (AU)
Title: Organic light emitting device, display apparatus, method of controlling color temperature of light emitted from organic light emitting device, and method of fabricating organic light emitting device
Inventor: GUO YUANHUI
IPC: H01L27/00
Filed: 2017-09-18
Granted: 2019-12-12
Abstract: (12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) (19) World Intellectual Property (1) OrganizationIIIIIIIIIIIDIIDIIIIIDIIlIIIIIDIII International Bureau (10) International Publication Number (43) International Publication Date WO 2018/205477 Al 15 November 2018 (15.11.2018) WIPO I PCT (51) International Patent Classification: Minsheng Financial Center, 28 Jianguomennei Avenue, HOIL 51/50 (2006.01) Dongcheng District, Beijing 100005 (CN). (21) International Application Number: (81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every PCT/CN2017/101996 kind ofnational protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM, (22) International Filing Date: AO, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BN, BR, BW, BY, BZ, 18 September 2017 (18.09.2017) CA, CH, CL, CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DJ, DK, DM, DO, DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, Fl, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT, HN, (25) Filing Language: English HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IR, IS, JO, JP, KE, KG, KH, KN, KP, (26) Publication Language• English KR, KW, KZ, LA, LC, LK, LR, LS, LU, LY, MA, MD, ME, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI, NO, NZ, (30) Priority Data: OM, PA, PE, PG, PH, PL, PT, QA, RO, RS, RU, RW, SA, 201710335018.0 12 May 2017 (12.05.2017) CN SC, SD, SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, ST, SV, SY, TH, TJ, TM, TN, (71) Applicants: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD. TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, ZM, ZW. [CN/CN]; No.10 Jiuxianqiao Rd., Chaoyang District, Bei- (84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every jing 100015 (CN). HEFEI BOE OPTOELECTRONICS kind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH, TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. [CN/CN]; No. 2177, GM, KE, LR, LS, MW, MZ, NA, RW, SD, SL, ST, SZ, TZ, Tonglingbei Road, Hefei, Anhui 230012 (CN). UG, ZM, ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, RU, TJ, TM), European (AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, (72) Inventor:GUO,Yuanhui;No.9DizeRd.,BDA,Beijing EE, ES, Fl, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LT, LU, LV, 100176(CN). MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, SM, (74) Agent: TEE&HOWE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ, GW, ATTORNEYS; Yuan CHEN, 10th Floor, Tower D, KM, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG). (54) Title: ORGANIC LIGHT EMITTING DEVICE, DISPLAY APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING COLOR TEMPER ATURE OF LIGHT EMITTED FROM ORGANIC LIGHT EMITTING DEVICE, AND METHOD OF FABRICATING ORGANIC LIGHT EMITTING DEVICE 4B*-A 04B - I II -2 3 4 FIG.l1B (57) Abstract: An organic light emitting device includes afirst electrode (2); an organic layer (6) on the first electrode (2), the organic layer (6) having an organic light emitting layer; asecond electrode (10) on aside of the organic layer (6) distal to the first electrode (2); San electrochromic layer (3)between the first electrode (2) and theorganic layer(6); and athirdelectrode (4)between theelectrochromic Slayer (3) and the organic layer (6). W O 2018/205477 A5477Al||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Published: - with international search report (Art. 21(3)) WO 2018/205477 PCT/CN2017/101996 ORGANIC LIGHT EMITTING DEVICE, DISPLAY APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING COLOR TEMPERATURE OF LIGHT EMITTED FROM ORGANIC LIGHT EMITTING DEVICE, AND METHOD OF FABRICATING ORGANIC LIGHT EMITTING DEVICE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201710335018.0, filed May 12, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in the entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to display technology, more particularly, to an organic light emitting device, display apparatus, a method of controlling color temperature of light emitted from an organic light emitting device, and a method of fabricating an organic light emitting device. [0003] Organic light emitting diode (OLED) display apparatuses are self-emissive devices, and do not require backlights. OLED display apparatuses also provide more vivid colors and a larger color gamut as compared to the conventional liquid crystal display (LCD) apparatuses. Further, OLED display apparatuses can be made more flexible, thinner, and lighter than a typical LCD. [0004] An OLED display apparatus typically includes an anode, an organic layer including an organic light emitting layer, and a cathode. OLEDs can either be a bottom-emission type OLED or a top-emission type OLED. In bottom-emission type OLEDs, the light is extracted from an anode side. In bottom-emission type OLEDs, the anode is generally transparent, while a cathode is generally reflective. In a top-emission type OLED, light is extracted from a cathode side. The cathode is optically transparent, while the anode is reflective. [0005] In one aspect, the present invention provides an organic light emitting device comprising a first electrode; an organic layer on the first electrode, the organic layer comprising an organic light emitting layer; a second electrode on a side of the organic layer WO 2018/205477 PCT/CN2017/101996 distal to the first electrode; an electrochromic layer between the first electrode and the organic layer; and a third electrode between the electrochromic layer and the organic layer. [0006] Optionally, a refractive index of the electrochromic layer is tunable. [0007] Optionally, the organic light emitting device comprises a first microcavity in a first region corresponding to the third electrode; and a second microcavity in a second region, the second region corresponding to the first electrode and outside the first region; wherein a refractive index of the first microcavity is tunable. [0008] Optionally, an effective optical distance of the first microcavity is adjustable by adjusting an electrical potential difference between the first electrode and the third electrode. [0009] Optionally, the third electrode is formed substantially in the first region, the first electrode is formed substantially in the first region and the second region. [0010] Optionally, the first electrode comprising a metallic material, the second electrode and the third electrode are substantially transparent electrodes. [0011] Optionally, the first electrode comprises one or a combination of aluminum and silver. [0012] Optionally, orthographic projections of the first electrode and the second electrode on a plane containing a surface of the first electrode cover orthographic projections of the electrochromic layer and the third electrode on the plane containing the surface of the first electrode. [0013] Optionally, orthographic projections of the third electrode and the electrochromic layer substantially overlap with each other. [0014] Optionally, the organic light emitting device further comprises a planarization layer between the third electrode and the organic layer. [0015] Optionally, the planarization layer comprises a conductive polymer material. [0016] Optionally, the planarization layer has a thickness in a range of approximately 100 nm to approximately 300 nm. [0017] Optionally, the first electrode has a thickness in a range of approximately 10 nm to approximately 300 nm; the second electrode has a thickness in a range of approximately 10 WO 2018/205477 PCT/CN2017/101996 nm to approximately 20 nm; and the third electrode has a thickness in a range of approximately 5 nm to approximately 20 nm. [0018] Optionally, the electrochromic layer comprises one or a combination of tungsten oxide, a polythiophene electrochromic material or derivatives thereof, a viologen electrochromic material or derivatives thereof, a tetrathiafulvalene electrochromic material or derivatives thereof, and a metal-phthalocyanine electrochromic material or derivatives thereof [0019] Optionally, the second electrode is a cathode, the first electrode and the third electrode are anodes. [0020] In another aspect, the present invention provides a display apparatus comprising the organic light emitting device described herein or fabricated by a method described herein. [0021] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of controlling color temperature of light emitted from the organic light emitting device described herein or fabricated by a method described herein, comprising applying a first voltage signal to the first electrode; applying a second voltage signal to the second electrode; and applying a third voltage signal to the third electrode. [0022] Optionally, the method further comprises adjusting color temperature of light emitted from the organic light emitting device by adjusting one or a combination of an electrical potential difference between the first electrode and the third electrode, an electrical potential difference between the second electrode and the third electrode, and an electrical potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode. [0023] Optionally, the organic light emitting device comprises a first microcavity in a first region corresponding to the third electrode; and a second microcavity in a second region, the second region outside the first region and corresponding to the first electrode; the method further comprises adjusting color temperature of light emitted from the first microcavity by adjusting one or a combination of an electrical potential difference between the first electrode and the third electrode and an electrical potential difference between the second electrode and the third electrode. [0024] Optionally, the organic light emitting device comprises a first microcavity in a first region corresponding to the third electrode; and a second microcavity in a second region, the second region outside the first region and corresponding to the first electrode; the method further comprises adjusting color temperature of light emitted from the second microcavity WO 2018/205477 PCT/CN2017/101996 by adjusting an electrical potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode. [0025] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of fabricating an organic light emitting device, comprising forming a first electrode on a base substrate; forming an electrochromic layer on a side of the first electrode distal to the base substrate; forming a third electrode on a side of the electrochromic layer distal to the first electrode; forming an organic layer on a side of the third electrode and the first electrode distal to the base substrate; and forming a second electrode on a side of the organic layer distal to the first electrode; wherein forming the organic layer comprises forming an organic light emitting layer. [0026] Optionally, the electrochromic layer and the third electrode are formed using a single mask plate in a single patterning process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0027] The following drawings are merely examples for illustrative purposes according to various disclosed embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. [0028] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of an organic light emitting device in some embodiments according to the present disclosure. [0029] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of an organic light emitting device in some embodiments according to the present disclosure. [0030] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method of fabricating an organic light emitting device in some embodiments according to the present disclosure. [0031] FIGs. 3A to 3D illustrate a process of fabricating an organic light emitting device in some embodiments according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0032] The disclosure will now be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiments. It is to be noted that the following descriptions of some embodiments are presented herein for purpose of illustration and description only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed. WO 2018/205477 PCT/CN2017/101996 [0033] In conventional organic light emitting devices, color temperature of light emitted from the conventional organic light emitting devices can only be adjusted by adjusting the voltage applied to the organic light emitting devices. It is difficult to cover a full spectrum of color temperatures in the conventional organic light emitting devices. Moreover, a large color temperature adjustment requires a large voltage change between the anode and the cathode, resulting a relatively large change in light intensity of the emitted light. [0034] Accordingly, the present disclosure provides, inter alia, an organic light emitting device, a display apparatus, a method of controlling color temperature of light emitted from an organic light emitting device, and a method of fabricating an organic light emitting device that substantially obviate one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an organic light emitting device. In some embodiments, the organic light emitting device includes a first electrode; an organic layer on the first electrode; a second electrode on a side of the organic layer distal to the first electrode; an electrochromic layer between the first electrode and the organic layer; and a third electrode between the electrochromic layer and the organic layer. The organic layer includes an organic light emitting layer. Optionally, the third electrode and the electrochromic layer are formed substantially in a first region, the first electrode and the second electrode are formed substantially in a region greater than, and includes, the first region. Optionally, orthographic projections of the first electrode and the second electrode on a plane containing a surface of the first electrode cover orthographic projections of the electrochromic layer and the third electrode on the plane containing the surface of the first electrode. As compared to the conventional organic light emitting device, color temperature of light emitted from the present organic light emitting device can be adjusted over a relatively large range, without affecting the light intensity of the emitted light. [0035] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of an organic light emitting device in some embodiments according to the present disclosure. FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of an organic light emitting device in some embodiments according to the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the organic light emitting diode device in some embodiments includes a first electrode 2 on a base substrate 1; an electrochromic layer 3 on a side of the first electrode 2 distal to the base substrate 1; a third electrode 4 on a side of the electrochromic layer 3 distal to the first electrode 2; an organic layer 6 on a side of the third electrode 4 and the first electrode 2 distal to the base WO 2018/205477 PCT/CN2017/101996 substrate 1; and a second electrode 10 on a side of the organic layer 6 distal to the first electrode 2. [0036] Referring to FIG. 1A, in some embodiments, the third electrode 4 is substantially in a first region A. The first electrode 2 and the second electrode 10 are substantially in a region greater than, and includes, the first region A. For example, the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 10 in FIG. 1A are substantially in both the first region A and a second region B. The electrochromic layer 3 is not limited to the first region A. Optionally, the electrochromic layer 3 is substantially in a region greater than, and includes, the first region A. For example, the electrochromic layer 3 is substantially in both the first region A and a second region B. The electrochromic layer 3 is between the first electrode 2 and the third electrode 4. The third electrode 4 is between the electrochromic layer 3 and the organic layer 6. Optionally, orthographic projections of the first electrode 2, the second electrode 10, and the electrochromic layer 3 on a plane containing a surface (e.g., a bottom surface) of the first electrode 2 cover an orthographic projection of the third electrode 4 on the plane containing the surface of the first electrode 2. [0037] Referring to FIG. 1B, in some embodiments, the third electrode 4 and the electrochromic layer 3 are substantially in a first region A. The first electrode 2 and the second electrode 10 are substantially in a region greater than, and includes, the first region. For example, the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 10 in FIG. 1B are substantially in both the first region A and a second region B. The electrochromic layer 3 is between the first electrode 2 and the third electrode 4. The third electrode 4 is between the electrochromic layer 3 and the organic layer 6. Optionally, orthographic projections of the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 10 on a plane containing a surface (e.g., a bottom surface) of the first electrode 2 cover orthographic projections of the electrochromic layer 3 and the third electrode 4 on the plane containing the surface of the first electrode 2. Optionally, orthographic projections of the third electrode 4 and the electrochromic layer 3 substantially overlap with each other. [0038] In some embodiments, the organic light emitting device includes a first microcavity 100 in a first region A corresponding to the third electrode 4 (and the electrochromic layer 3), and a second microcavity 200 in a second region B. The second region B is outside the first region A and corresponding to a portion of the first electrode 2. Optionally, an optical WO 2018/205477 PCT/CN2017/101996 distance of the first microcavity 100 is adjustable by adjusting an electrical potential difference between the first electrode 2 and the third electrode 4. [0039] The electrochromic layer 3 is made of an electrochromic material. As used herein, the term "electrochromic" refers to a material or a layer that exhibits a stable and reversible change in its optical characteristics (e.g., one or more of reflectivity, transmissivity, absorbance, and refractive index) upon application of an electrical potential difference. Optionally, the electrochromic material or layer undergoes a color change upon application of an electrical potential difference. Optionally, the electrochromic material or layer undergoes a change in transparency upon application of an electrical potential difference. Optionally, the electrochromic material is an inorganic electrochromic material. Examples of inorganic electrochromic materials include transition metal oxides such as WO 3 , MoO 3 , Nb203. Examples of organic electrochromic materials include polythiophene and derivatives thereof, viologen and derivatives thereof, tetrathiafulvalene and derivatives thereof, metal phthalocyanine and derivatives thereof, pyridine, aminoquinone and azine compounds. [0040] As shown in FIG. IB, the electrochromic layer 3 in some embodiments includes a single electrochromic block (in each organic light emitting device). Optionally, the electrochromic layer 3 includes a plurality of electrochromic blocks, e.g., 2, 3, or more electrochromic blocks. [0041] The organic layer 6 includes at least an organic light emitting layer 8. Upon applying voltage signals at the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 10, positive charge carriers (holes) and negative charge carriers (electrons) are generated, respectively. The positive charge carriers and negative charge carriers recombine in the organic light emitting layer 8, forming excitons. When the excitons return to the ground state, their energy is transferred to the organic light emitting material in the organic light emitting layer 8. The organic light emitting material is excited from the ground state to an excited state. When the organic light emitting material returns to the ground state, the energy is released in the form of light through radiative decay. Optionally, the organic light emitting layer 8 has a thickness in a range of approximately 5 nm to approximately 50 nm. [0042] When an electric field is applied between the anode and the cathode to inject electrons from the cathode into the light emitting layer and holes from the anode into the light-emitting layer, the energy released from the recombination of the electrons and the holes can oscillate between excitons and photons at a certain oscillation frequency. Inside a WO 2018/205477 PCT/CN2017/101996 microcavity, photons may be absorbed by the de-excited atoms. The de-excited atoms are then re-excited, and release photons when they return to the ground state. This process may be repeated multiple times inside the microcavity, resulting in an enhanced emission intensity at an emission peak. [0043] In some embodiments, one of the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 10 is an anode, and the other one is a cathode. Upon the external electrical field, the anode generates positive charge carriers (holes), and the cathode generates negative charge carriers (electrons). Optionally, the first electrode 2 is an anode and the second electrode 10 is a cathode. [0044] Optionally, the organic light emitting device is a top-emission type organic light emitting device. Optionally, the organic light emitting device is a bottom-emission type organic light emitting device. [0045] In some embodiments, the first electrode 2 is made of a metallic material, and the second electrode 10 is made of a transparent material, e.g., the second electrode 10 is a transparent electrode. Optionally, the first electrode 2 made of the metallic material is a reflective mirror configured to reflect light emitted from the organic light emitting layer 8 along a direction toward the second electrode 10, the reflected light then passes through the second electrode 10. As used herein, the term "substantially transparent" mean at least 50 percent (e.g., at least 60 percent, at least 70 percent, at least 80 percent, at least 90 percent, and at least 95 percent) of light in the visible wavelength range transmitted therethrough. [0046] Optionally, the first electrode 2 is made of aluminum, or silver, or a combination thereof. Optionally, the second electrode 10 is made of a transparent metal oxide such as indium tin oxide and indium zinc oxide. [0047] In some embodiments, the third electrode 4 is made of a transparent material, e.g., the third electrode 4 is a transparent electrode. By having this design, the light emitted from the organic light emitting layer 8 can pass through the third electrode 4 and reach the first electrode 2, the light is then reflected by the first electrode 2 along a direction toward the second electrode 10. Optionally, the third electrode 4 is made of a transparent metal oxide such as indium tin oxide and indium zinc oxide. [0048] In some embodiments, the third electrode 4 is an anode of the first microcavity 100, and the second electrode 10 is a cathode of the first microcavity 100; the first electrode 2 is an anode of the second microcavity 200, and the second electrode 10 is a cathode of the WO 2018/205477 PCT/CN2017/101996 second microcavity 200. In some embodiments, the light intensity Ic(k) along the length direction of the microcavity (e.g., a direction substantially perpendicular to the light emitting surface) can be determined by the following equation: (1-Rd) 1+R,+2_X cos 2 z [0049] I, (A)L= - E ()2 (1), 1+ RRd - 2 CRcos(4L [0050] wherein k stands for a wavelength of the light emitted from the organic light emitting layer 8; x stands for a distance inside the microcavity between the organic light emitting layer 8 and the anode; Rm stands for mirror reflectivity of a metal mirror (e.g., the first electrode 2); Rd stands for mirror reflectivity of a dielectric mirror (e.g., a mirror made of a dielectric material such as silicon oxide and titanium oxide); L stands for an effective optical distance of the microcavity; E (A) stands for distribution of a raw spectrum (a free space spectrum). [0051] The effective optical distance of the microcavity may be determined based on the following equation: [0052] L = norgdorg - 1+2 A (2); 4rc [0053] wherein norg stands for an effective refractive index of all layers in the microcavity; do,,r stands for a total thickness of all layers in the microcavity; #1 stands for reflective phase shift of the metal mirror; and #2 stands for reflective phase shift of the dielectric mirror. [0054] As used herein, the term "microcavity" refers to a resonant optical cavity in a solid state light emitting device. For example, in the context of the present disclosure, the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 10 constitute two reflective mirrors in the microcavity. Optionally, the microcavity has an optical distance substantially equal to a sum of optical path lengths of layers between the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 10. As used herein, the term "optical path length" refers to a value obtained by multiplying a refractive index n of a medium through which the measurement light travels by a distance the measurement light travels through the medium having the refractive index n, i.e., the optical path length is equal to a distance the measurement light would travel through a vacuum WO 2018/205477 PCT/CN2017/101996 during the time it takes for the measurement light to travel through the medium having the refractive index n. [0055] Provided that the electrical potential difference between the anode and the cathode in the first microcavity 100 is substantially the same as the electrical potential difference between the anode and the cathode in the second microcavity 200, the wavelength of light emitted from the organic light emitting layer 8 in the first microcavity 100 would also be substantially the same as the wavelength of light emitted from the organic light emitting layer 8 in the second microcavity 200. Based on the equation (1) and the equation (2) above, under this condition, the light intensity of light emitted from the first microcavity 100 is different from the light intensity of light emitted from the second microcavity 200, because the distance HI between the organic light emitting layer 8 to the anode (the third electrode 4) in the first microcavity 100 is different from the distance H2 between the organic light emitting layer 8 to the anode (the first electrode 2) in the second microcavity 200. When the electrical potential differences between the anode and the cathode in the first microcavity 100 and in the second microcavity 200 are substantially the same, the light emitted from the first microcavity 100 and the light emitted from the second microcavity 200 have different wavelengths and different color temperatures. [0056] Because the distance H2 between the organic light emitting layer 8 to the anode (the first electrode 2) in the second microcavity 200 is greater than the distance HI between the organic light emitting layer 8 to the anode (the third electrode 4) in the first microcavity 100, the light intensity of light emitted from the second microcavity 200 is greater than the light intensity of light emitted from the first microcavity 100 when the electrical potential differences between the anode and the cathode in the first microcavity 100 and in the second microcavity 200 are substantially the same. Under this condition, comparing the light emitted from the first microcavity 100 with the light emitted from the second microcavity 200, the light emitted from the second microcavity 200 has a higher spectral energy distribution on the longer wavelength side of the spectrum, a lower color temperature, and a red color shift; wherein the light emitted from the first microcavity 100 has a higher spectral energy distribution on the shorter wavelength side of the spectrum (e.g., the light emitted from the first microcavity 100 has a wavelength smaller than that of the light emitted from the second microcavity 200), a relatively higher color temperature, and a blue color shift. Thus, when the electrical potential differences between the anode and the cathode in the first microcavity 100 and in the second microcavity 200 are substantially the same, the light emitted from the WO 2018/205477 PCT/CN2017/101996 first microcavity 100 and the light emitted from the second microcavity 200 have different color temperatures. Moreover, when the adjustment ranges of the electrical potential difference between the anode and the cathode in the first microcavity 100 and in the second microcavity 200 are substantially the same, the first microcavity 100 and the second microcavity 200 have different adjustment ranges of color temperature. [0057] Accordingly, a composite light of the light emitted from the first microcavity 100 having a first color temperature and the light emitted from the second microcavity 200 having a second color temperature would have a third color temperature. The composite light having the third color temperature emits out of the organic light emitting device. Optionally, the first color temperature, the seco