Patent Publication Number: US-2013240870-A1

Title: Vapor deposition device, vapor deposition method and organic el display device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a vapor deposition device and a vapor deposition method for forming a coating film having a predetermined pattern on a substrate. The present invention also relates to an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display device including a light emitting layer formed by vapor deposition. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In recent years, flat panel displays are used in various commodity products and fields, and thus flat panel displays are required to have a large size, high image quality and low power consumption. 
     Under the circumstances, organic EL display devices, which include an organic EL element that utilizes electro luminescence of an organic material, are attracting great attention as all-solid state flat panel displays that are excellent as having capability of low voltage operation, quick responsivity and light emission. 
     Active matrix type organic EL display devices, for example, are provided with a thin film-like organic EL element on a substrate having a TFT (thin film transistor). In the organic EL element, organic EL layers including a light emitting layer are laminated between a pair of electrodes. The TFT is connected to one of the pair of electrodes. Then, voltage is applied across the pair of electrodes so as to cause the light emitting layer to emit light, whereby an image is displayed. 
     In a full-color organic EL display device, generally, organic EL elements including light emitting layers of respective colors of red (R), green (G) and blue (B) are formed and arranged on a substrate as sub-pixels. By causing these organic EL elements to selectively emit light at the desired brightness by using the TFT, a color image is displayed. 
     In order to manufacture an organic EL display device, it is necessary to form a light emitting layer made of organic light emitting materials that emit respective colors in a predetermined pattern for each organic EL element. 
     Known methods for forming light emitting layers in a predetermined pattern are vacuum vapor deposition method, inkjet method and laser transfer method. For example, the vacuum vapor deposition method is often used for low molecular organic EL display devices (OLEDs). 
     In the vacuum vapor deposition method, a mask (also called a “shadow mask”) having a predetermined pattern of openings is used. The deposition surface of a substrate having the mask closely fixed thereto is disposed so as to oppose a vapor deposition source. Then, vapor deposition particles (film forming material) from the vapor deposition source are deposited onto the deposition surface through the openings of the mask, whereby a predetermined pattern of a thin film is formed. Vapor deposition is performed for each color of the light emitting layer, which is referred to as “vapor deposition by color”. 
     For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a method for performing vapor deposition by color in which light emitting layers for respective colors are formed by sequentially moving a mask with respect to a substrate. With such a method, a mask having a size equal to that of a substrate is used, and the mask is fixed so as to cover the deposition surface of the substrate at the time of vapor deposition. 
     With conventional methods for performing vapor deposition by color as described above, as the substrate becomes larger, the mask needs to be large accordingly. However, when the mask is made large, a gap is likely to appear between the substrate and the mask by the mask being bent by its own weight or being extended. In addition, the size of the gap varies depending on the position of the deposition surface of the substrate. For this reason, it is difficult to perform highly accurate patterning, and it is therefore difficult to achieve high definition due to the occurrence of positional offset between the mask and the substrate during vapor deposition and the occurrence of color mixing. 
     Also, when the mask is made large, the mask as well as a frame or the like for holding the mask need to be gigantic, which increases the weight and makes handling thereof difficult. As a result, there is a possibility that productivity and safety might be compromised. Also, the vapor deposition device and devices that are used together therewith need to be made gigantic and complex as well, which makes device designing difficult and increases the installation cost. 
     For the reasons described above, the conventional methods for vapor deposition by color that are described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are difficult to adapt to large-sized substrates, and it is difficult to perform vapor deposition by color on large-sized substrates such as those having a size exceeding 60 inches on a mass manufacturing level. 
     Patent Document 3 describes a vapor deposition method for causing vapor deposition particles discharged from a vapor deposition source to adhere to a substrate after causing the vapor deposition particles to pass through a mask opening of a vapor deposition mask while relatively moving the vapor deposition source and the vapor deposition mask with respect to the substrate. With this vapor deposition method, even in the case of large-sized substrates, it is not necessary to increase the size of the vapor deposition mask in accordance with the size of the substrates. 
     Patent Document 4 describes that a columnar-shaped or rectangle columnar-shaped vapor deposition beam direction adjustment plate having vapor deposition beam-pass-through holes formed therein whose diameter is approximately 0.1 mm to 1 mm is disposed between a vapor deposition source and a vapor deposition mask. By causing the vapor deposition particles discharged from the vapor deposition beam emission hole of the vapor deposition source to pass through the vapor deposition beam-pass-through holes formed in the vapor deposition beam direction adjustment plate, the directivity of vapor deposition beam can be increased. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Document 
     
         
         Patent Document 1: JP H8-227276A 
         Patent Document 2: JP 2000-188179A 
         Patent Document 3: JP 2004-349101A 
         Patent Document 4: JP 2004-103269A 
       
    
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Problem to be Solved by the Invention 
     According to the vapor deposition method described in Patent Document 3, a vapor deposition mask smaller than the substrate can be used, and therefore vapor deposition can be easily performed on large-sized substrates. 
     However, because it is necessary to relatively move the vapor deposition mask with respect to the substrate, the substrate and the vapor deposition mask need to be spaced apart from each other. With Patent Document 3, vapor deposition particles that fly from various directions may enter the mask openings of the vapor deposition mask, and therefore the width of the coating film formed on the substrate is longer than the width of the mask opening, resulting blur at the edge of the coating film. 
     Patent Document 4 describes that the directivity of the vapor deposition beam entering the vapor deposition mask is improved by the vapor deposition beam direction adjustment plate. 
     However, in the actual vapor deposition step, the vapor deposition particles adhere to the inner circumferential surfaces of the vapor deposition beam-pass-through holes formed in the vapor deposition beam direction adjustment plate. Because the vapor deposition beam direction adjustment plate is disposed so as to oppose the vapor deposition source, it is heated by radiant heat from the vapor deposition source. Therefore, the vapor deposition particles that has adhered to the inner circumferential surfaces of the vapor deposition beam-pass-through holes are re-vaporized. A portion of the re-vaporized vapor deposition particles fly in a different direction from the penetration direction of the vapor deposition beam-pass-through holes, pass through the mask openings of the vapor deposition mask, and adhere to the substrate. In other words, even though the vapor deposition beam direction adjustment plate is provided in order to improve the directivity of the vapor deposition beam in Patent Document 4, it is difficult to control the directivity of the vapor deposition particles re-vaporized off the vapor deposition beam direction adjustment plate, as a result of which vapor deposition particles having undesired directivity adhere to the substrate. Therefore, if the substrate and the vapor deposition mask are spaced apart, the vapor deposition material adheres to an undesired portion of the substrate, and similarly to Patent Document 3 described above, blur occurs at the edge of the coating film formed on the substrate or an offset occurs in the formation position of the coating film. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a vapor deposition device and a vapor deposition method that are capable of forming a coating film in which edge blur is suppressed at a desired position on the substrate and that are applicable to large-sized substrates. 
     Also, it is an object of the present invention to provide a large-sized organic EL display device that has excellent reliability and display quality. 
     Means for Solving Problem 
     The vapor deposition device of the present invention is a vapor deposition device that forms a coating film having a predetermined pattern on a substrate, and the vapor deposition device includes a vapor deposition unit including a vapor deposition source having at least one vapor deposition source opening, a vapor deposition mask disposed between the at least one vapor deposition source opening and the substrate, and a limiting plate unit that is disposed between the vapor deposition source and the vapor deposition mask and that includes a plurality of limiting plates disposed along a first direction, and a moving mechanism that moves one of the substrate and the vapor deposition unit relative to the other along a second direction orthogonal to a normal line direction of the substrate and the first direction in a state in which the substrate and the vapor deposition mask are spaced apart at a fixed interval. The coating film is formed by causing vapor deposition particles that have been discharged from the at least one vapor deposition source opening and passed through a limiting space between the limiting plates neighboring in the first direction and a plurality of mask openings formed in the vapor deposition mask to adhere onto the substrate. Side surfaces of the limiting plates that define the limiting space in the first direction are configured such that a portion having a dimension in the first direction of the limiting space wider than a narrowest portion having a narrowest dimension in the first direction of the limiting space is formed on at least the vapor deposition source side with respect to the narrowest portion. 
     The vapor deposition method of the present invention is a vapor deposition method including a vapor deposition step of forming a coating film having a predetermined pattern on a substrate by causing vapor deposition particles to adhere onto the substrate, and the vapor deposition step is performed by using the above vapor deposition device of the present invention. 
     An organic EL display device according to the present invention includes a light emitting layer formed by using the above vapor deposition method of the present invention. 
     Effects of the Invention 
     According to the vapor deposition device and vapor deposition method of the present invention, the vapor deposition particles that have passed through the mask openings formed in the vapor deposition mask are caused to adhere to the substrate while one of the substrate and the vapor deposition unit is moved relative to the other, and therefore a vapor deposition mask that is smaller than the substrate can be used. It is therefore possible to form a coating film even on a large-sized substrate by vapor deposition. 
     The plurality of limiting plates provided between the vapor deposition source opening and the vapor deposition mask selectively capture the vapor deposition particles that have entered a limiting space between limiting plates neighboring in the first direction according to the incidence angle of the vapor deposition particles, and thus only the vapor deposition particles entering at a predetermined incidence angle or less enter the mask openings. As a result, the maximum incidence angle of the vapor deposition particles with respect to the substrate becomes small, and it is therefore possible to suppress blur that occurs at the edge of the coating film formed on the substrate. 
     Side surfaces of the limiting plates are configured such that a portion having a dimension in the first direction of the limiting space wider than a narrowest portion having a narrowest dimension in the first direction of the limiting space is formed on at least the vapor deposition source side with respect to the narrowest portion. Accordingly, most of the flight directions of the vapor deposition particles re-vaporized off the region of the side surfaces of the limiting plates on the vapor deposition source side with respect to the narrowest portion thereof can be caused to be pointed toward the opposite side to the substrate. Alternatively, it is possible to capture the vapor deposition particles re-vaporized off the region of the side surfaces of the limiting plates on the vapor deposition source side with respect to the narrowest portion thereof toward the substrate by causing the re-vaporized vapor deposition particles to collide with the side surfaces of the limiting plates before passing through the narrowest portion. Through these, the number of vapor deposition particles that are re-vaporized off the side surfaces of the limiting plates and adhere to the substrate can be reduced. As a result, a coating film in which edge blur is suppressed can be formed at a desired position on the substrate with high accuracy. Also, the need to frequently replace the limiting plate unit in order to reduce the amount of the vapor deposition material re-vaporized off the limiting plates is eliminated, and thus throughput at the time of mass production is improved, and productivity is improved. 
     The organic EL display device of the present invention includes a light emitting layer formed by using the vapor deposition method described above, and thus the positional offset of the light emitting layer and edge blur in the light emitting layer are suppressed. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an organic EL display device that has excellent reliability and display quality and that can be made in a large size. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an organic EL display device. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view showing a configuration of pixels that constitute the organic EL display device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a TFT substrate that constitutes the organic EL display device taken along the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a process for manufacturing an organic EL display device in order. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the basic configuration of a vapor deposition device according to a new vapor deposition method. 
         FIG. 6  is a front cross-sectional view of the vapor deposition device shown in  FIG. 5  as viewed in a direction parallel to the traveling direction of a substrate. 
         FIG. 7  is a front cross-sectional view of the vapor deposition device shown in  FIG. 5  without a limiting plate unit. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the cause of blur generated at both edges of a coating film. 
         FIG. 9A  is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing how a coating film is formed on a substrate in the new vapor deposition method, and 
         FIG. 9B  is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the cause of the problem encountered with the new vapor deposition method. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing the basic configuration of a vapor deposition device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a front cross-sectional view of the vapor deposition device shown in  FIG. 10  as viewed in a direction parallel to the traveling direction of a substrate. 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the function of the side surfaces of the limiting plates in a vapor deposition device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vapor deposition device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention including limiting plates having another side surface shape. 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the limiting plates having still another side surface shape in the vapor deposition device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a vapor deposition device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, as viewed in a direction parallel to the traveling direction of a substrate. 
         FIGS. 16A to 16C  are enlarged cross-sectional views of the limiting plates having another side surface shape in the vapor deposition device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a vapor deposition device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, as viewed in a direction parallel to the traveling direction of a substrate. 
         FIG. 18A  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a vapor deposition device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, as viewed in a direction parallel to the traveling direction of a substrate, and 
         FIG. 18B  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the limiting plate shown in  FIG. 18A . 
         FIG. 19  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another limiting plate to be used in the vapor deposition device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The vapor deposition device of the present invention is a vapor deposition device that forms a coating film having a predetermined pattern on a substrate, and the vapor deposition device includes a vapor deposition unit including a vapor deposition source having at least one vapor deposition source opening, a vapor deposition mask disposed between the at least one vapor deposition source opening and the substrate, and a limiting plate unit that is disposed between the vapor deposition source and the vapor deposition mask and that includes a plurality of limiting plates disposed along a first direction, and a moving mechanism that moves one of the substrate and the vapor deposition unit relative to the other along a second direction orthogonal to a normal line direction of the substrate and the first direction in a state in which the substrate and the vapor deposition mask are spaced apart at a fixed interval. The coating film is formed by causing vapor deposition particles that have been discharged from the at least one vapor deposition source opening and passed through a limiting space between the limiting plates neighboring in the first direction and a plurality of mask openings formed in the vapor deposition mask to adhere onto the substrate. Side surfaces of the limiting plates that define the limiting space in the first direction are configured such that a portion having a dimension in the first direction of the limiting space wider than a narrowest portion having a narrowest dimension in the first direction of the limiting space is formed on at least the vapor deposition source side with respect to the narrowest portion. 
     It is preferable that in the above-described vapor deposition device of the present invention, the side surfaces of the limiting plates opposing in the first direction across the limiting space are in plane symmetry relationship. Accordingly, it is possible to simplify the design of the flight paths of the vapor deposition particles that are discharged from the vapor deposition source openings and adhere to the substrate to form the coating film. 
     It is preferable that the narrowest portion is provided at edges of the side surfaces of the limiting plates on the vapor deposition mask side. Accordingly, the number of vapor deposition particles that are re-vaporized off the side surfaces of the limiting plates and adhere to the substrate can be further reduced. 
     It is preferable that the side surface of each of the limiting plates has, on the vapor deposition source side with respect to the narrowest portion, a surface that is inclined such that the dimension in the first direction of the limiting space increases as the distance from the narrowest portion increases along the normal line direction of the substrate. Accordingly, the flight directions of the vapor deposition particles re-vaporized off the surface inclined in this manner can be caused to be pointed toward the side opposite to the substrate. Accordingly, the number of vapor deposition particles that are re-vaporized off the side surfaces of the limiting plates and adhere to the substrate can be further reduced. 
     It is preferable that a recess is formed in a region of the side surface of each of the limiting plates, the region being located on the vapor deposition source side with respect to the narrowest portion. Accordingly, the flight directions of the vapor deposition particles re-vaporized off the region on the vapor deposition mask side with respect to the deepest portion of the recess can be caused to be pointed toward the side opposite to the substrate. Also, the region on the vapor deposition mask side with respect to the deepest portion of the recess is capable of capturing the vapor deposition particles re-vaporized off the region on the vapor deposition source side by causing the re-vaporized vapor deposition particles to collide therewith. Accordingly, the number of vapor deposition particles that are re-vaporized off the side surfaces of the limiting plates and adhere to the substrate can be further reduced. Also, the region on the vapor deposition source side with respect to the deepest portion of the recess is capable of receiving the vapor deposition material separated from the region on the vapor deposition mask side so as not to let the vapor deposition material fall on the vapor deposition source. 
     It is preferable that a first overhang protruding toward the limiting space is formed on the side surface of each of the limiting plates, and the narrowest portion is provided at tip ends of the first overhangs. Accordingly, the vapor deposition particles re-vaporized off the region on the vapor deposition source side with respect to the first overhang can be captured by causing the vapor deposition particles to collide with the first overhang. Therefore, the number of vapor deposition particles that are re-vaporized off the side surfaces of the limiting plates and adhere to the substrate can be further reduced. There is no particular limitation on the shape of the first overhang, and the shape can be set to an arbitrary shape such as a thin plate shape having a fixed thickness, a shape having a substantially wedge-shaped cross section in which the thickness is reduced toward the tip end thereof, and the like. 
     It is preferable that in the above-described vapor deposition device, the first overhang has, on the vapor deposition source side, a surface that is inclined such that the surface of the first overhang is closer to the vapor deposition source as the distance to the tip end decreases. Accordingly, it is possible to substantially completely prevent the vapor deposition particles re-vaporized off the surface of the first overhang on the vapor deposition source side from adhering to the substrate. 
     It is preferable that the first overhang has, at the tip end thereof, a surface that is inclined such that the dimension in the first direction of the limiting space increases as the distance to the vapor deposition source decreases. Accordingly, the flight directions of the vapor deposition particles re-vaporized off the distal surface of the first overhang can be caused to be pointed toward the side opposite to the substrate. Therefore, the number of vapor deposition particles that are re-vaporized off the side surfaces of the limiting plates and adhere to the substrate can be further reduced. 
     It is preferable that a second overhang protruding toward the limiting space is formed on the side surface of each of the limiting plates at a position on the vapor deposition source side with respect to the narrowest portion. Accordingly, because the vapor deposition material separated from the region of the side surface of the limiting plate on the vapor deposition mask side with respect to the second overhang can be received by the second overhang, it is possible to prevent the separated vapor deposition material from falling on the vapor deposition source. There is also no particular limitation on the shape of the second overhang, and the shape can be set to an arbitrary shape such as a thin plate shape having a fixed thickness, a shape having a substantially wedge-shaped cross section in which the thickness is reduced toward the tip end thereof, and the like. 
     It is preferable that each of the side surfaces of the limiting plates has a plurality of steps in a stepwise arrangement. Accordingly, the number of vapor deposition particles that are re-vaporized off the side surfaces of the limiting plates and adhere to the substrate can be further reduced. 
     It is preferable that side surfaces of the limiting plate unit that define the limiting space in the second direction are configured such that a portion having a dimension in the second direction of the limiting space wider than a second narrowest portion having a narrowest dimension in the second direction of the limiting space is formed on at least the vapor deposition source side with respect to the second narrowest portion. Accordingly, the number of vapor deposition particles that are re-vaporized off the side surfaces of the limiting plate unit and adhere to the substrate. can be reduced 
     It is preferable that the various preferred configurations to be applied to the side surfaces of the limiting plates can also be applied to the side surfaces of the limiting plate unit. 
     Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by showing preferred embodiments. It should be noted, however, that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. For the sake of convenience of the description, the drawings referred to hereinafter show only the principal members required to describe the present invention in simplified form among the constituent members of the embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention may include optional constituent members that are not shown in the following drawings. Also, the dimensions of the members in the drawings do not faithfully represent the actual dimensions or dimensional proportions of the constituent members. 
     (Configuration of Organic EL Display Device) 
     An example of an organic EL display device that can be manufactured by applying the present invention will be described. This organic EL display device is a bottom emission type organic EL display device in which light is extracted from the TFT substrate side and that displays full color images by controlling light emission of red (R), green (G) and blue (B) pixels (sub-pixels). 
     First, the overall configuration of the organic EL display device will be described below. 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the organic EL display device.  FIG. 2  is a plan view showing a configuration of pixels that constitute the organic EL display device shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a TFT substrate that constitutes the organic EL display device, taken along the line III-III of  FIG. 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the organic EL display device  1  has a configuration in which, on a TFT substrate  10  provided with a TFT  12  (see  FIG. 3 ), an organic EL element  20  connected to the TFT  12 , an adhesive layer  30  and a sealing substrate  40  are provided in this order. A display region  19  in which images are displayed is located in the center of the organic EL display device  1 , and the organic EL element  20  is disposed within the display region  19 . 
     The organic EL element  20  is enclosed between a pair of substrates, namely, the TFT substrate  10  and the sealing substrate  40 , by the TFT substrate  10  having the organic EL element  20  laminated thereon being bonded to the sealing substrate  40  with the use of the adhesive layer  30 . By the organic EL element  20  being enclosed between the TFT substrate  10  and the sealing substrate  40  as described above, oxygen and moisture are prevented from entering the organic EL element  20  from the outside. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the TFT substrate  10  includes, as a support substrate, a transparent insulating substrate  11  such as a glass substrate, for example. In the case of a top emission type organic EL display device, however, the insulating substrate  11  is not necessarily transparent. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , on the insulating substrate  11 , a plurality of wires  14  are provided that include a plurality of gate lines provided in the horizontal direction and a plurality of signal lines intersecting the gate lines and provided in the vertical direction. A gate line driving circuit (not shown) that drives the gate lines is connected to the gate lines, and a signal line driving circuit (not shown) that drives the signal lines are connected to the signal lines. On the insulating substrate  11 , red (R), green (G) and blue (B) sub-pixels  2 R,  2 G and  2 B made of the organic EL element  20  are disposed in a matrix in their respective regions surrounded by the wires  14 . 
     The sub-pixels  2 R emit red light, the sub-pixels  2 G emit green light, and the sub-pixels  2 B emit blue light. Sub-pixels of the same color are disposed in a column direction (up-down direction in  FIG. 2 ) and a repeating unit consisting of sub-pixels  2 R,  2 G and  2 B is repeatedly disposed in a row direction (right-left direction in  FIG. 2 ). The sub-pixels  2 R,  2 G and  2 B constituting a repeating unit in the row direction constitute a pixel  2  (specifically, a single pixel). 
     The sub-pixels  2 R,  2 G and  2 B respectively include light emitting layers  23 R,  23 G and  23 B that emit respective colors. The light emitting layers  23 R,  23 G and  23 B are provided to extend in stripes in the column direction (up-down direction in  FIG. 2 ). 
     A configuration of the TFT substrate  10  will be described. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the TFT substrate  10  includes, on the transparent insulating substrate  11  such as a glass substrate, the TFT  12  (switching element), the wires  14 , an inter-layer film  13  (interlayer insulating film, planarized film), an edge cover  15 , and so on. 
     The TFT  12  functions as a switching element that controls light emission of the sub-pixels  2 R,  2 G and  2 B, and is provided for each of the sub-pixels  2 R,  2 G and  2 B. The TFT  12  is connected to the wires  14 . 
     The inter-layer film  13  also functions as a planarized film, and is laminated over the display region  19  of the insulating substrate  11  so as to cover the TFT  12  and the wires  14 . 
     A first electrode  21  is formed on the inter-layer film  13 . The first electrode  21  is electrically connected to the TFT  12  via a contact hole  13   a  formed in the inter-layer film  13 . 
     The edge cover  15  is formed on the inter-layer film  13  so as to cover pattern ends of the first electrode  21 . The edge cover  15  is an insulating layer for preventing short-circuiting between the first electrode  21  and a second electrode  26  that constitute the organic EL element  20  caused by an organic EL layer  27  becoming thin or the occurrence of electric field concentration at the pattern ends of the first electrode  21 . 
     The edge cover  15  has openings  15 R,  15 G and  15 B for the sub-pixels  2 R,  2 G and  2 B. The openings  15 R,  15 G and  15 B of the edge cover  15  serve as light emitting regions of the sub-pixels  2 R,  2 G and  2 B. To rephrase, the sub-pixels  2 R,  2 G and  2 B are partitioned by the edge cover  15  that is insulative. The edge cover  15  also functions as an element separation film. 
     The organic EL element  20  will be described. 
     The organic EL element  20  is a light emitting element capable of emitting highly bright light by low voltage direct current driving, and includes the first electrode  21 , the organic EL layer  27  and the second electrode  26  in this order. 
     The first electrode  21  is a layer having a function of injecting (supplying) holes into the organic EL layer  27 . As described above, the first electrode  21  is connected to the TFT  12  via the contact hole  13   a.    
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the organic EL layer  27  includes, between the first electrode  21  and the second electrode  26 , a hole injection and transport layer  22 , the light emitting layers  23 R,  23 G,  23 B, an electron transport layer  24  and an electron injection layer  25  in this order from the first electrode  21  side. 
     In the present embodiment, the first electrode  21  serves as a positive electrode and the second electrode  26  serves as a negative electrode, but the first electrode  21  may serve as a negative electrode and the second electrode  26  may serve as a positive electrode. In this case, the order of the layers constituting the organic EL layer  27  is reversed. 
     The hole injection and transport layer  22  functions both as a hole injection layer and a hole transport layer. The hole injection layer is a layer having a function of enhancing the efficiency of injecting holes into the organic EL layer  27 . The hole transport layer is a layer having a function of enhancing the efficiency of transporting holes to the light emitting layers  23 R,  23 G and  23 B. The hole injection and transport layer  22  is formed uniformly over the display region  19  in the TFT substrate  10  so as to cover the first electrode  21  and the edge cover  15 . 
     In the present embodiment, the hole injection and transport layer  22  in which a hole injection layer and a hole transport layer are integrated together is provided, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the hole injection layer and the hole transport layer may be formed as independent layers. 
     On the hole injection and transport layer  22 , the light emitting layers  23 R,  23 G and  23 B are formed correspondingly to the columns of the sub-pixels  2 R,  2 G and  2 B so as to cover the openings  15 R,  15 G and  15 B of the edge cover  15 , respectively. The light emitting layers  23 R,  23 G and  23 B are layers having a function of emitting light by recombining holes injected from the first electrode  21  side and electrons injected from the second electrode  26  side. The light emitting layers  23 R,  23 G and  23 B each contain a material having a high light-emission efficiency such as a low-molecular fluorescent dye or a metal complex. 
     The electron transport layer  24  is a layer having a function of enhancing the efficiency of transporting electrons from the second electrode  26  to the light emitting layers  23 R,  23 G and  23 B. 
     The electron injection layer  25  is a layer having a function of enhancing the efficiency of injecting electrons from the second electrode  26  to the organic EL layer. 
     The electron transport layer  24  is formed uniformly over the display region  19  in the TFT substrate  10  such that it is on the light emitting layers  23 R,  23 G and  23 B and the hole injection and transport layer  22  so as to cover the light emitting layers  23 R,  23 G and  23 B and the hole injection and transport layer  22 . Likewise, the electron injection layer  25  is formed uniformly over the display region  19  in the TFT substrate  10  such that it is on the electron transport layer  24  so as to cover the electron transport layer  24 . 
     In the present embodiment, the electron transport layer  24  and the electron injection layer  25  are provided as independent layers, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and they may be provided as a single layer (specifically, an electron transport and injection layer) in which the electron transport layer  24  and the electron injection layer  25  are integrated together. 
     The second electrode  26  is a layer having a function of injecting electrons into the organic EL layer  27 . The second electrode  26  is formed uniformly over the display region  19  in the TFT substrate  10  such that it is on the electron injection layer  25  so as to cover the electron injection layer  25 . 
     An organic layer other than the light emitting layers  23 R,  23 G and  23 B is not essential to the organic EL layer  27 , and may be selected or omitted according to the characteristics required of the organic EL element  20 . The organic EL layer  27  may further include a carrier blocking layer if necessary. By adding a hole blocking layer serving as a carrier blocking layer between the electron transport layer  24  and the light emitting layer  23 R,  23 G,  23 B, for example, it is possible to prevent holes from escaping to the electron transport layer  24 , whereby light-emission efficiency can be improved. 
     (Manufacturing Method for Organic EL Display Device) 
     A method for manufacturing an organic EL display device  1  will be described below. 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a process for manufacturing the above-described organic EL display device  1  in order. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the method for manufacturing an organic EL display device  1  according to the present embodiment includes, for example, a TFT substrate/first electrode producing step S 1 , a hole injection layer/hole transport layer forming step S 2 , a light emitting layer forming step S 3 , an electron transport layer forming step S 4 , an electron injection layer forming step S 5 , a second electrode forming step S 6  and a sealing step S 7  in this order. 
     Each step of  FIG. 4  will be described below. It should be noted, however, that the dimensions, materials and shapes of the constituent elements described below are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Also, in the present embodiment, the first electrode  21  is used as a positive electrode and the second electrode  26  is used as a negative electrode, but in the case where the first electrode  21  is used as a negative electrode and the second electrode  26  is used as a positive electrode, the order of the layers laminated in the organic EL layer is reversed from that discussed below. Likewise, the materials for constituting the first electrode  21  and the second electrode  26  are also reversed from those discussed below. 
     First, a TFT  12 , wires  14  and the like are formed on an insulating substrate  11  by a known method. As the insulating substrate  11 , for example, a transparent glass substrate, plastic substrate or the like can be used. As an example, a rectangular glass plate having a thickness of about 1 mm and longitudinal and transverse dimensions of 500×400 mm can be used as the insulating substrate  11 . 
     Next, a photosensitive resin is applied onto the insulating substrate  11  so as to cover the TFT  12  and the wires  14 , and patterning is performed using a photolithography technique to form an inter-layer film  13 . As a material for the inter-layer film  13 , for example, an insulating material such as acrylic resin or polyimide resin can be used. Generally, polyimide resin is not transparent but colored. For this reason, when manufacturing a bottom emission type organic EL display device  1  as shown  FIG. 3 , it is preferable to use a transparent resin such as acrylic resin for the inter-layer film  13 . There is no particular limitation on the thickness of the inter-layer film  13  as long as irregularities in the upper surface of the TFT  12  can be eliminated. As an example, an inter-layer film  13  having a thickness of about 2 μm can be formed by using acrylic resin. 
     Next, contact holes  13   a  for electrically connecting the first electrode  21  to the inter-layer film  13  are formed. 
     Next, a first electrode  21  is formed on the inter-layer film  13 . Specifically, a conductive film (electrode film) is formed on the inter-layer film  13 . Next, a photoresist is applied onto the conductive film and patterning is performed by using a photolithography technique, after which the conductive film is etched using ferric chloride as an etching solution. After that, the photoresist is stripped off using a resist stripping solution, and the substrate is washed. A first electrode  21  in a matrix is thereby obtained on the inter-layer film  13 . 
     Examples of conductive film-forming materials that can be used for the first electrode  21  include transparent conductive materials such as ITO (indium tin oxide), IZO (indium zinc oxide) and gallium-added zinc oxide (GZO); and metal materials such as gold (Au), nickel (Ni) and platinum (Pt). 
     As the method for laminating conductive films, it is possible to use a sputtering method, a vacuum vapor deposition method, a CVD (chemical vapor deposition) method, a plasma CVD method, a printing method or the like can be used. 
     As an example, a first electrode  21  having a thickness of about 100 nm can be formed by a sputtering method using ITO. 
     Next, an edge cover  15  having a predetermined pattern is formed. The edge cover  15  can be formed by, for example, patterning performed in the same manner as performed for the inter-layer film  13 , using the same insulating materials as those listed for the edge cover  15 . As an example, an edge cover  15  having a thickness of about 1 μm can be formed using acrylic resin. 
     Through the above processing, the TFT substrate  10  and the first electrode  21  are produced (Step S 1 ). 
     Next, the TFT substrate  10  that has undergone step S 1  is baked under reduced pressure for the purpose of dehydration and then subjected to an oxygen plasma treatment in order to wash the surface of the first electrode  21 . 
     Next, on the TFT substrate  10 , a hole injection layer and a hole transport layer (in the present embodiment, a hole injection and transport layer  22 ) is formed over the display region  19  in the TFT substrate  10  by a vapor deposition method (S 2 ). 
     Specifically, an open mask having an opening corresponding to the entire display region  19  is closely fixed to the TFT substrate  10 . Materials for forming a hole injection layer and a hole transport layer are deposited over the display region  19  in the TFT substrate  10  through the opening of the open mask while the TFT substrate  10  and the open mask are rotated together. 
     As noted above, the hole injection layer and the hole transport layer may be integrated into a single layer, or may be independent layers. Each layer has a thickness of, for example, 10 to 100 nm. 
     Examples of materials for the hole injection layer and the hole transport layer include benzine, styryl amine, triphenyl amine, porphyrin, triazole, imidazole, oxadiazole, polyarylalkane, phenylene diamine, arylamine, oxazole, anthracene, fluorenone, hydrazone, stilbene, triphenylene, azatriphenylene and derivatives thereof, heterocyclic or linear conjugated monomers, oligomers or polymers, such as polysilane-based compounds, vinylcarbazole-based compounds, thiophene-based compounds, aniline-based compounds and the like. 
     As an example, a hole injection and transport layer  22  having a thickness of 30 nm can be formed using 4,4′-bis[N-(1-naphthyl)-N-phenylamino]biphenyl (α-NPD). 
     Next, on the hole injection and transport layer  22 , light emitting layers  23 R,  23 G and  23 B are formed in stripes so as to cover openings  15 R,  15 G and  15 B in the edge cover  15  (S 3 ). The light emitting layers  23 R,  23 G and  23 B are deposited such that respective colors, namely, red, green and blue are applied to corresponding predetermined regions (vapor deposition by color). 
     As materials for the light emitting layers  23 R,  23 G and  23 B, materials having a high light-emission efficiency such as low-molecular fluorescent dyes or metal complexes can be used. Examples thereof include anthracene, naphthalene, indene, phenanthrene, pyrene, naphthacene, triphenylene, anthracene, perylene, picene, fluoranthene, acephenanthrylene, pentaphene, pentacene, coronene, butadiene, coumarin, acridine, stilbene and derivatives thereof, tris(8-quinolinolato)aluminum complex, bis(benzoquinolinato)beryllium complex, tri(dibenzoylmethyl)phenanthroline europium complex, ditolyl vinyl biphenyl and the like. 
     The light emitting layers  23 R,  23 G and  23 B can have a thickness of, for example, 10 to 100 nm. 
     The vapor deposition method and the deposition device of the present invention can be used particularly suitably in vapor deposition by color for forming light emitting layers  23 R,  23 G and  23 B. The method for forming light emitting layers  23 R,  23 G and  23 B using the present invention will be described later in detail. 
     Next, an electron transport layer  24  is formed over the display region  19  in the TFT substrate  10  so as to cover the hole injection and transport layer  22  and the light emitting layers  23 R,  23 G and  23 B by a vapor deposition method (S 4 ). The electron transport layer  24  can be formed in the same manner as in the hole injection layer/hole transport layer forming step (S 2 ) described above. 
     Next, an electron injection layer  25  is formed over the display region  19  in the TFT substrate  10  so as to cover the electron transport layer  24  by a vapor deposition method (S 5 ). The electron injection layer  25  can be formed in the same manner as in the hole injection layer/hole transport layer forming step (S 2 ) described above. 
     Examples of materials for the electron transport layer  24  and the electron injection layer  25  include quinoline, perylene, phenanthroline, bisstyryl, pyrazine, triazole, oxazole, oxadiazole, fluorenone, and derivatives and metal complexes thereof, LiF (lithium fluoride) and the like. 
     As noted above, the electron transport layer  24  and the electron injection layer  25  may be formed as a single layer in which these layers are integrated together, or may be formed as independent layers. Each layer has a thickness of, for example, 1 to 100 nm. The total thickness of the electron transport layer  24  and the electron injection layer  25  is, for example, 20 to 200 nm. 
     As an example, an electron transport layer  24  having a thickness of 30 nm can be formed using Alq (tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum), and an electron injection layer  25  having a thickness of 1 nm can be formed using LiF (lithium fluoride). 
     Next, a second electrode  26  is formed over the display region  19  in the TFT substrate  10  so as to cover the electron injection layer  25  by a vapor deposition method (S 6 ). The second electrode  26  can be formed in the same manner as in the hole injection layer/hole transport layer forming step (S 2 ) described above. The material (electrode material) for the second electrode  26  is preferably a metal having a small work function, or the like. Examples of such electrode materials include magnesium alloy (MgAg and the like), aluminum alloy (AlLi, AlCa, AlMg and the like), metal calcium, and the like. The second electrode  26  has a thickness of, for example, 50 to 100 nm. As an example, a second electrode  26  having a thickness of 50 nm can be formed using aluminum. 
     On the second electrode  26 , a protective film may be formed so as to cover the second electrode  26 , in order to prevent oxygen and moisture from entering the organic EL element  20  from the outside. As the material for the protective film, an insulating or conductive material can be used. Examples thereof include silicon nitride and silicon oxide. The protective film has a thickness of, for example, 100 to 1000 nm. 
     Through the above processing, the organic EL element  20  including the first electrode  21 , the organic EL layer  27  and the second electrode  26  can be formed on the TFT substrate  10 . 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the TFT substrate  10  having the organic EL element  20  formed thereon is bonded to a sealing substrate  40  by using an adhesive layer  30  so as to enclose the organic EL element  20 . As the sealing substrate  40 , for example, an insulating substrate, such as a glass substrate or a plastic substrate, having a thickness of 0.4 to 1.1 mm can be used. 
     In this manner, an organic EL display device  1  is obtained. 
     In the organic EL display device  1 , when the TFT  12  is turned on by input of signals from the wires  14 , holes are injected from the first electrode  21  into the organic EL layer  27 . On the other hand, electrons are injected from the second electrode  26  into the organic EL layer  27 . The holes and the electrons are recombined in the light emitting layers  23 R,  23 G and  23 B and emit predetermined color light when deactivating energy. By controlling emitting brightness of each of the sub-pixels  2 R,  2 G and  2 B, a predetermined image can be displayed on the display region  19 . 
     Hereinafter, S 3 , which is the step of forming light emitting layers  23 R,  23 G and  23 B by vapor deposition by color, will be described. 
     (New Vapor Deposition Method) 
     The present inventors investigated, as the method for forming light emitting layers  23 R,  23 G and  23 B by vapor deposition by color, a new vapor deposition method (hereinafter referred to as the “new vapor deposition method”) in which vapor deposition is performed while a substrate is moved with respect to a vapor deposition source and a vapor deposition mask, instead of the vapor deposition method as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 in which a mask having the same size as a substrate is fixed to the substrate at the time of vapor deposition. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the basic configuration of the vapor deposition device according to the new vapor deposition method.  FIG. 6  is a front cross-sectional view of the vapor deposition device shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     A vapor deposition source  960 , a vapor deposition mask  970 , and a limiting plate unit  980  disposed therebetween constitute a vapor deposition unit  950 . The relative positions of the vapor deposition source  960 , the limiting plate unit  980 , and the vapor deposition mask  970  are constant. The substrate  10  moves along an arrow  10   a  at a constant speed with respect to the vapor deposition mask  970  on the opposite side from the vapor deposition source  960 . For the sake of convenience of the description given below, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is set in which a horizontal axis parallel to the movement direction  10   a  of the substrate  10  is defined as the Y axis, a horizontal axis perpendicular to the Y axis is defined as the X axis, and a vertical axis perpendicular to the X axis and the Y axis is defined as the Z axis. The Z axis is parallel to the normal line direction of the deposition surface  10   e  of the substrate  10 . 
     A plurality of vapor deposition source openings  961  that discharge vapor deposition particles  91  are formed on the upper surface of the vapor deposition source  960 . The plurality of vapor deposition source openings  961  are arranged at a fixed pitch along a straight line parallel to the X axis. 
     The limiting plate unit  980  has a plurality of limiting plates  981 . The major surface (the surface having the largest area) of each of the limiting plates  981  is parallel to the YZ plane. The plurality of limiting plates  981  are arranged parallel to the direction in which the plurality of vapor deposition source openings  961  are arranged (that is, the X axis direction), at a fixed pitch. A space between limiting plates  981  neighboring in the X axis direction that penetrates the limiting plate unit  980  in the Z axis direction is referred to as a limiting space  982 . 
     A plurality of mask openings  971  are formed in the vapor deposition mask  970 . The plurality of mask openings  971  are arranged along the X axis direction. 
     The vapor deposition particles  91  discharged from the vapor deposition source openings  961  pass through the limiting spaces  982 , further pass through the mask openings  971 , and adhere to the substrate  10  to form a stripe-shaped coating film  90  parallel to the Y axis. Vapor deposition is repeatedly performed for each color of light emitting layers  23 R,  23 G and  23 B, whereby vapor deposition by color for forming light emitting layers  23 R,  23 G and  23 B can be performed. 
     According to this new vapor deposition method, a dimension Lm of the vapor deposition mask  970  in the movement direction  10   a  of the substrate  10  can be set irrespective of a dimension of the substrate  10  in the same direction. This enables the use of a vapor deposition mask  970  that is smaller than the substrate  10 . Accordingly, even if the substrate  10  is made large, the vapor deposition mask  970  does not need to be made large, and therefore the problem in that the vapor deposition mask  970  is bent by its own weight or being extended does not occur. Also, the vapor deposition mask  970  and a frame or the like for holding the vapor deposition mask  970  do not need to be made big and heavy. Accordingly, the problems encountered with the conventional vapor deposition methods disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are solved, and large-sized substrates can be subjected to vapor deposition by color. 
     Effects of the new vapor deposition method on the limiting plate unit  980  are now described. 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view showing the vapor deposition device according to the new vapor deposition method similar to  FIG. 6  except that the limiting plate unit  980  is omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the vapor deposition particles  91  from each vapor deposition source opening  961  are discharged with a certain spread (directivity). Specifically, in  FIG. 7 , the number of vapor deposition particles  91  discharged from each vapor deposition source opening  961  is the greatest in a direction upward from the vapor deposition source opening  961  (the Z axis direction) and gradually decreases as the angle (departure angle) formed with respect to the straight upward direction increases. The vapor deposition particles  91  discharged from the vapor deposition source openings  961  travel straight in their discharged directions. In  FIG. 7 , the flow of vapor deposition particles  91  discharged from the vapor deposition source openings  961  is conceptually indicated by arrows. The length of the arrows corresponds to the number of vapor deposition particles. Accordingly, each mask opening  971  mostly receives, but not necessarily limited thereto, the vapor deposition particles  91  discharged from the vapor deposition source opening  961  located directly below the mask opening  971  and also receives the vapor deposition particles  91  discharged from the vapor deposition source openings  961  located obliquely downward. 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a coating film  90  formed on a substrate  10  with vapor deposition particles  91  that have passed through a mask opening  971  in the vapor deposition device of  FIG. 7 , as viewed in a plane perpendicular to the Y axis as in  FIG. 7 . As described above, the vapor deposition particles  91  coming from various directions pass through the mask opening  971 . The number of vapor deposition particles  91  that reach a deposition surface  10   e  of the substrate  10  is the greatest in a region directly above the mask opening  971  and gradually decreases as the position gets farther away therefrom. Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 8 , on the deposition surface  10   e  of the substrate  10 , a coating film main portion  90   c  having a large and substantially constant thickness is formed in the region where the mask opening  971  is projected onto the substrate  10  from directly above, and blur portions  90   e  that are gradually thinner as the position gets farther away from the coating film main portion  90   c  are formed on both sides of the coating film main portion  90   c . Then, the blur portions  90   e  cause blur at the edge of the coating film  90 . 
     In order to reduce the width We of the blur portion  90   e , a space between the vapor deposition mask  970  and the substrate  10  needs only be reduced. However, because it is necessary to move the substrate  10  relative to the vapor deposition mask  970 , it is not possible to reduce the space between the vapor deposition mask  970  and the substrate  10  to zero. 
     If the blur portion  90   e  extends to the neighboring light emitting layer region having a different color due to an increase in the width We of the blur portion  90   e , it causes “color mixing” or degradation of the characteristics of the organic EL element. In order to prevent the blur portion  90   e  from extending to the neighboring light emitting layer region having a different color, so as to not cause color mixing, it is necessary to reduce the opening width of pixels (the pixels referring to the sub-pixels  2 R,  2 G and  2 B shown in  FIG. 2 ) or to increase the pixel pitch so as to increase the non-light-emitting region. However, if the opening width of the pixels is reduced, the light-emitting region will be small, causing a reduction in brightness. If the current density is increased in order to obtain the required brightness, the organic EL element will have a short service life and easily be damaged, causing a reduction in reliability. If, on the other hand, the pixel pitch is increased, display of high definition images cannot be achieved, reducing the quality of display. 
     In contrast, with a new vapor deposition method, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the limiting plate unit  980  is provided between the vapor deposition source  960  and the vapor deposition mask  970 . 
       FIG. 9A  is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing how the coating film  90  is formed on the substrate  10  in the new vapor deposition method. In the present example, one vapor deposition source opening  961  is disposed for one limiting space  982 , and the vapor deposition source opening  961  is disposed at the central position of a pair of the limiting plates  981  in the X axis direction. The representative flight paths of the vapor deposition particles  91  discharged from the vapor deposition source openings  961  are indicated by dashed lines. Among the vapor deposition particles  91  discharged from the vapor deposition source opening  961  with a certain spread (directivity), those passing through the limiting space  982  directly above the vapor deposition source opening  961  and then passing through the mask opening  971  adhere to the substrate  10  so as to form the coating film  90 . On the other hand, the vapor deposition particles  91  having a large speed vector component in the X axis direction collide with and adhere to side surfaces  983  of the limiting plates  981  that define the limiting space  982 , and therefore cannot pass through limiting spaces  982  and cannot reach the mask openings  971 . That is, the limiting plates  981  limit the incidence angle of the vapor deposition particles  91  entering the mask openings  971 . As used herein, “incidence angle” of the vapor deposition particles  91  with respect to a mask opening  971  is defined as the angle formed between the flight direction of the vapor deposition particles  91  entering the mask opening  971  and the Z axis on a projection onto the XZ plane. 
     As described above, the directivity of the vapor deposition particles  91  in the X axis direction can be improved by using the limiting plate unit  980  including the plurality of limiting plates  981 . Accordingly, the width We of the blur portion  90   e  can be reduced. 
     With the above-described conventional vapor deposition method described in Patent Document 3, a member corresponding to the limiting plate unit  980  of the new vapor deposition method is not used. Also, vapor deposition particles are discharged from a single slot-shaped opening of the vapor deposition source that extends along the direction orthogonal to the relative movement direction of the substrate. With this configuration, the incidence angle of the vapor deposition particles with respect to the mask opening becomes larger than that in the new vapor deposition method, and therefore detrimental blur occurs at the edge of the coating film. 
     As described above, according to the new vapor deposition method, the width We of the blur portion  90   e  at the edge of the coating film  90  to be formed on the substrate  10  can be reduced. Therefore, vapor deposition by color for forming light emitting layers  23 R,  23 G and  23 B using the new vapor deposition method can prevent color mixing from occurring. Accordingly, the pixel pitch can be reduced, and in this case, it is possible to provide an organic EL display device that is capable of displaying high definition images. Meanwhile, the light-emitting region may be enlarged without changing the pixel pitch, and in this case, it is possible to provide an organic EL display device that is capable of displaying high definition images. Also, because it is not necessary to increase the current density in order to increase the brightness, the organic EL element does not have a short service life and is not easily damaged, and a reduction in reliability can be prevented. 
     However, as a result of examinations, the present inventors found that the new vapor deposition method is problematic in that when the coating film  90  is formed on the substrate  10  actually using the new vapor deposition method, the width We of the blur portion  90   e  at the edge of the coating film  90  cannot be reduced as assumed. Also, the inventors found that there is a problem in that the vapor deposition material adheres to an undesired portion of the deposition surface  10   e  of the substrate  10 . Moreover, they found that these problems are caused by the vapor deposition material that has adhered to the side surfaces  983  of the limiting plate unit  980  being re-vaporized. 
     This will be described below. 
       FIG. 9B  is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the cause of the above-described problems in the new vapor deposition method. As shown in  FIG. 9B , the limiting plate unit  980  is disposed in the vicinity of the vapor deposition source  960  that is kept at high temperature so as to oppose the vapor deposition source  960 , and thus is heated from receiving the radiant heat from the vapor deposition source  960 . Therefore, depending on the conditions such as the amount of the vapor deposition material adhering to the side surfaces  983  of the limiting plates  981 , the degree of vacuum in the periphery, and the like, the vapor deposition material that has adhered to the side surfaces  983  may be re-vaporized as vapor deposition particles. There are various flight directions of the re-vaporized vapor deposition particles, and a portion of the vapor deposition particles  92  pass through the mask openings  971  and adhere to an undesired position on the deposition surface  10   e  of the substrate  10 , as indicated by double-dot-dashed lines in  FIG. 9B . As a result, blur may occur at the edge of the coating film  90 , and an offset may occur in the formation position of the coating film. 
     In order to reduce the re-vaporization of the vapor deposition material off the limiting plates  981 , the limiting plate unit  980  need only be frequently replaced. However, this leads to an increase in the frequency of maintenance, a drop in the throughput at the time of mass production, and a drop in the productivity. 
     The problem of the new vapor deposition method is the same as the problem encountered with the vapor deposition device of Patent Document 4 described above, in terms of the principle of the occurrence. 
     The present inventors conducted an in-depth investigation to solve the above problems encountered with the new vapor deposition method and the present invention has been accomplished. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described using preferred embodiments. 
     Embodiment 1 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing the basic configuration of a vapor deposition device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.  FIG. 11  is a front cross-sectional view of the vapor deposition device shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     A vapor deposition source  60 , a vapor deposition mask  70 , and a limiting plate unit  80  disposed therebetween constitute a vapor deposition unit  50 . The substrate  10  moves along an arrow  10   a  at a constant speed with respect to the vapor deposition mask  70  on the opposite side from the vapor deposition source  60 . For the sake of convenience of the description given below, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is set in which a horizontal axis parallel to the movement direction  10   a  of the substrate  10  is defined as the Y axis, a horizontal axis perpendicular to the Y axis is defined as the X axis, and a vertical axis perpendicular to the X axis and the Y axis is defined as the Z axis. The Z axis is parallel to the normal line direction of the deposition surface  10   e  of the substrate  10 . To facilitate the description, the side to which the arrow indicating the Z axis points (the upper side of  FIG. 11 ) is referred to the “upper side”. 
     The vapor deposition source  60  has a plurality of vapor deposition source openings  61  in its upper surface (the surface opposing the vapor deposition mask  70 ). The plurality of vapor deposition source openings  61  are arranged at a fixed pitch along a straight line parallel to the X axis direction. Each vapor deposition source opening  61  has a nozzle shape that is upwardly open parallel to the Z axis and discharges vapor deposition particles  91 , which are a light emitting layer-forming material, toward the vapor deposition mask  70 . 
     The vapor deposition mask  70  is a plate-shaped piece that has a major surface (the surface having the largest area) parallel to the XY plane and in which a plurality of mask openings  71  are formed along the X axis direction at different positions in the X axis direction. The mask openings  71  are through holes that penetrate the vapor deposition mask  70  in the Z axis direction. In the present embodiment, each mask opening  71  has an opening shape having a slot shape that is parallel to the Y axis, but the present invention is not limited thereto. All of the mask openings  71  may have the same shape and dimensions, or may have different shapes and dimensions. The pitch in the X axis direction of the mask openings  71  may be constant or different. 
     It is preferable that vapor deposition mask  70  is held by a mask tension mechanism (not shown). The mask tension mechanism prevents the occurrence of bending or extension of the vapor deposition mask  70  due to its own weight, by applying tension to the vapor deposition mask  70  in a direction parallel to the major surface thereof. 
     The limiting plate unit  80  is disposed between the vapor deposition source openings  61  and the vapor deposition mask  70 . The limiting plate unit  80  includes a plurality of limiting plates  81  arranged at a constant pitch along the X axis direction. The space between the limiting plates  81  neighboring in the X axis direction is a limiting space  82  through which the vapor deposition particles  91  pass. 
     In the present embodiment, one vapor deposition source opening  61  is disposed at the center of limiting plates  81  neighboring in the X axis direction. Accordingly, one vapor deposition source opening  61  corresponds to one limiting space  82 . However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the plurality of limiting spaces  82  may be configured to correspond to one vapor deposition source opening  61 , or one limiting space  82  may be configured to correspond to the plurality of vapor deposition source openings  61 . In the present invention, “the limiting space  82  corresponding to the vapor deposition source opening  61 ” refers to the limiting space  82  that is designed to allow the passage of the vapor deposition particles  91  discharged from the vapor deposition source opening  61 . 
     In  FIGS. 10 and 11 , although the number of vapor deposition source openings  61  and the number of limiting spaces  82  are eight, the present invention is not limited to this and the number may be larger or smaller than this. 
     In the present embodiment, the limiting plate unit  80  is formed into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped object (or thick plate-like object) by forming through holes penetrating in the Z axis direction at a constant pitch in the X axis direction. Each through hole serves as the limiting space  82 , and each wall between neighboring through holes serves as the limiting plate  81 . However, the method for manufacturing the limiting plate unit  80  is not limited thereto. For example, the plurality of limiting plates  81  having the same dimension may be made separately and fixed to a holding body at a constant pitch by means of welding or the like. 
     A cooling device for cooling the limiting plates  81 , or a temperature adjustment device for maintaining the limiting plates  81  at a fixed temperature may be provided on the limiting plate unit  80 . 
     The vapor deposition source opening  61  and the plurality of limiting plates  81  are spaced apart from each other in the Z axis direction, and the plurality of limiting plates  81  and the vapor deposition mask  70  are spaced apart from each other in the Z axis direction. It is preferably that the relative position between the vapor deposition source  60 , the limiting plate unit  80 , and the vapor deposition mask  70  is substantially constant at least during vapor deposition by color. 
     The substrate  10  is held by a holding device  55 . As the holding device  55 , for example, an electrostatic chuck that holds the surface of the substrate  10  opposite to the deposition surface  10   e  of the substrate  10  with electrostatic force can be used. The substrate  10  can thereby be held substantially without the substrate  10  being bent by its own weight. However, the holding device  55  for holding the substrate  10  is not limited to an electrostatic chuck and may be any other device. 
     The substrate  10  held by the holding device  55  is scanned (moved) in the Y axis direction at a constant speed by a moving mechanism  56  with respect to the vapor deposition mask  70  on the opposite side from the vapor deposition source  60 , with the substrate  10  being spaced apart from the vapor deposition mask  70  at a fixed interval. 
     The vapor deposition unit  50 , the substrate  10 , the holding device  55  for holding the substrate  10  and the moving mechanism  56  for moving the substrate  10  are housed in a vacuum chamber (not shown). The vacuum chamber is a hermetically sealed container, with its internal space being vacuumed and maintained to a predetermined low pressure state. 
     The vapor deposition particles  91  discharged from the vapor deposition source openings  61  pass through a limiting space  82  of the limiting plate unit  80 , and a mask opening  71  of the vapor deposition mask  70  in this order. The deposition particles  91  adhere to the deposition surface (specifically, the surface of the substrate  10  opposing the vapor deposition mask  70 )  10   e  of the substrate  10  traveling in the Y axis direction to form a coating film  90 . The coating film  90  has a stripe shape extending in the Y axis direction. 
     The vapor deposition particles  91  that form the coating film  90  necessarily pass through the limiting space  82  and the mask opening  71 . The limiting plate unit  80  and the vapor deposition mask  70  are designed so as to prevent a situation in which the vapor deposition particles  91  discharged from a vapor deposition source opening  61  reach the deposition surface  10   e  of the substrate  10  without passing through the limiting spaces  82  and the mask openings  71 , and if necessary, a shielding plate (not shown) or the like that prevents flight of the vapor deposition particles  91  may be installed. 
     By performing vapor deposition three times by changing the vapor deposition material  91  for each color, namely, red, green and blue (vapor deposition by color), stripe-shaped coating films  90  (specifically, light emitting layers  23 R,  23 G and  23 B) that correspond to the respective colors of red, green and blue can be formed on the deposition surface  10   e  of the substrate  10 . 
     As with the limiting plates  981  of the new vapor deposition method shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the limiting plates  81  limit the incidence angle of the vapor deposition particles  91  entering the mask openings  71  on a projection onto the XZ plane by causing the vapor deposition particles  91  having a large speed vector component in the X axis direction to collide with and adhere to the limiting plates  81 . As used herein, “incidence angle” of the vapor deposition particles  91  with respect to a mask opening  71  is defined as the angle formed between the flight direction of the vapor deposition particles  91  entering the mask opening  71  and the Z axis on a projection onto the XZ plane. As a result, the amount of the vapor deposition particles  91  that pass through a mask opening  71  at a large incidence angle is reduced. Accordingly, the width We of the blur portion  90   e  shown in  FIG. 8  is reduced, and thus the occurrence of blur at both edges of the stripe-shaped coating film  90  can be suppressed significantly. 
     In order to limit the incidence angle at the vapor deposition particles  91  enter the mask opening  71 , the limiting plates  81  are used in the present embodiment. The dimension in the X axis direction of a limiting space  82  can be large, and the dimension in the Y axis direction can be set to substantially any value. Accordingly, the opening area of the limiting space  82  viewed from the vapor deposition source openings  61  is increased, and thus the amount of vapor deposition particles that adhere to the limiting plate unit  80  can be reduced, as a result of which the wasted vapor deposition material can be reduced. Also, clogging caused as a result of the vapor deposition material adhering to the limiting plates  81  is unlikely to occur, enabling continuous use for a long period of time and improving the mass productivity of the organic EL display device. Furthermore, because the opening area of the limiting plate  82  is large, the vapor deposition material that has adhered to the limiting plates  81  can be easily washed off, enabling simple maintenance and reducing the losses resulting from a stop of mass production, as a result of which the mass productivity can be further improved. 
     In the present embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 11 , side surfaces (hereinafter also referred to simply as “limiting plate side surfaces”)  83  of the limiting plates  81  that define limiting spaces  82  in the X axis direction are inclined such that the dimension in the X axis direction (or in other words, the interval between each pair of limiting plates  81  opposing in the X axis direction) of the limiting space  82  becomes smaller as the distance to the vapor deposition mask  70  decreases. That is, a narrowest portion  81   n  having the narrowest dimension in the X axis direction of the limiting space  82  is at the upper (on the vapor deposition mask  70  side) edges of the side surfaces  83 , and the dimension in the X axis direction of the limiting space  82  becomes wider as the distance from the narrowest portion  81   n  to the vapor deposition source  60  increases. A pair of side surfaces  83  opposing in the X axis direction across the limiting space  82  are in plane symmetry relationship. 
       FIG. 12  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vapor deposition device of Embodiment 1. The function of the side surfaces  83  of the limiting plates  81  will be described with reference to  FIG. 12 . 
     As described with reference to  FIG. 9B , in the present embodiment as well, the limiting plate unit  980  receives radiant heat from the vapor deposition source  960  maintained at a high temperature and thus is heated. Accordingly, the vapor deposition material that has adhered to the side surfaces  83  may be re-vaporized as vapor deposition particles. The double-dot-dashed lines shown in  FIG. 12  illustratively indicate the flight trajectories of re-vaporized vapor deposition particles  92 . The arrows at the tip end of the double-dot-dashed lines indicate the flight directions of the vapor deposition particles  92 . The vapor deposition particles  92  re-vaporized off the side surfaces  83  fly in various directions, but generally have a distribution in which the amount of vapor deposition particles flying in the normal line direction of the side surfaces  83  is the largest. In the present embodiment, the side surfaces  83  are inclined as shown in  FIG. 12 , and thus the normal line direction of the side surfaces  83  points toward the vapor deposition source  60 , and not toward the substrate  10 . Accordingly, the number of vapor deposition particles traveling toward the substrate  10  among the re-vaporized vapor deposition particles is much smaller than that in  FIG. 9B  in which the side surfaces  983  are substantially parallel to the Z axis direction. Thus, the number of vapor deposition particles that pass through the mask openings  71  and adhere to the deposition surface  10   e  of the substrate  10  is further reduced. As a result, it is possible to solve the problems encountered with Patent Document 4 and the new vapor deposition method, which was described with reference to  FIG. 9B , such as the vapor deposition material adhering to an undesired position on the substrate and causing a blur at the edge of the coating film, or causing an offset in the formation position of the coating film. 
     As described above, according to Embodiment 1, a coating film  90  in which the edge blur is suppressed can be formed at a desired position on the substrate  10  by performing pattern vapor deposition with high accuracy. As a result, in the organic EL display device, the need to increase the width of the non-light-emitting region between light-emitting regions so as to not cause color mixing is eliminated. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve display of high definition and high brightness images. In addition, the need to increase the current density in the light emitting layers in order to enhance brightness is also eliminated, and thus a long service life can be achieved and reliability can be improved. 
     Furthermore, the need to frequently replace the limiting plate unit  80  in order to reduce re-vaporization of vapor deposition material from the limiting plates  81  can be eliminated. Accordingly, the frequency of maintenance is reduced, throughput at the time of mass production is improved, and productivity is improved. Therefore, vapor deposition cost is reduced, and thus an inexpensive organic EL display device can be provided. 
     In Embodiment 1, there is no particular limitation on the angle of inclination of the side surfaces  83  with respect to the Z axis direction. The angle of inclination of the side surfaces  83  with respect to the Z axis direction is preferably large because the number of vapor deposition particles traveling toward the substrate  10  among the vapor deposition particles re-vaporized off the side surfaces  83  is reduced as the angle of inclination is increased (or in other words, as the normal line direction of the side surfaces  83  points more toward the vapor deposition source  60 ). 
     In the example described above, each of the side surfaces  83  of the limiting plates  81  is a single inclined surface, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, as shown in  FIG. 13 , it is also possible to provide first surfaces  83   a  inclined similarly to the side surfaces  83  shown in  FIG. 12  on the vapor deposition mask  70  side in the Z axis direction, and provide second surfaces  83   b  that are substantially parallel to the Z axis direction on the vapor deposition source  60  side in the Z axis direction. In this case, the upper ends of the first surfaces  83   a  form the narrowest portion  81   n . The first surfaces  83   a  are inclined similarly to the side surfaces  83  shown in  FIG. 12 , and thus the number of vapor deposition particles re-vaporized off the first surfaces  83   a  toward the substrate  10  is very small. On the other hand, as with the vapor deposition particles  92  re-vaporized off the side surfaces  983  shown in  FIG. 9B , the vapor deposition particles  92  that fly toward the substrate  10  may be re-vaporized off the second surfaces  83   b , but it is highly likely that such vapor deposition particles  92  will collide with and be captured by the first surfaces  83   a  that are disposed closer to the substrate  10  than the second surfaces  83   b  are. Accordingly, as in the case of  FIG. 12 , a coating film  90  in which the edge blur is suppressed can be formed at a desired position on the substrate  10 . Also, the frequency of replacement of the limiting plate unit  80  can be reduced, and thus throughput at the time of mass production can be improved and productivity can be improved. 
     In  FIG. 13 , the second surfaces  83   b  do not need to be surfaces that are parallel to the Z axis, and may be inclined surfaces whose normal line points toward the substrate  10  or the vapor deposition source  60 . The side surface of each limiting plate  81  may be configured with more surfaces. 
     Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 14 , an overhang (or brim or flange)  85  projecting toward the limiting space  82  may be formed at an edge of the side surface of each limiting plate  81 , the edge being on the vapor deposition mask  70  side. In this case, the tip ends of the overhangs  85  form the narrowest portion  81   n . The normal line direction of an undersurface (the surface opposing the vapor deposition source  60 )  85   aa  of the overhang  85  is substantially parallel to the Z axis, and thus there are almost no vapor deposition particles re-vaporized off the undersurface  85   aa  toward the substrate  10 . On the other hand, the vapor deposition particles re-vaporized off a surface  83   c  located below the overhang  85  (on the vapor deposition source  60  side) toward the substrate  10  will collide with and be captured by the undersurface  85   aa  of the overhang  85 . Accordingly, with the configuration of  FIG. 14 , a coating film  90  in which the edge blur is further suppressed as compared with  FIGS. 12 and 13  can be formed at a desired position on the substrate  10 . Also, the frequency of replacement of the limiting plate unit  80  can be further reduced, and thus throughput at the time of mass production can be improved and productivity can be improved. 
     In  FIG. 14 , the surface  83   c  is a flat surface that is substantially parallel to the Z axis direction, but the configuration is not limited thereto, and the surface  83   c  may be a flat surface inclined with respect to the Z axis direction or may have any shape such as a curved surface. Also, in  FIG. 14 , the overhangs  85  are thin plates having a substantially constant thickness, but the configuration is not limited thereto, and the overhangs  85  may have, for example, a substantially wedge-shaped cross section that becomes thinner toward the tip end thereof. 
     Embodiment 2 
       FIG. 15  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a vapor deposition device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, as viewed in a direction parallel to the movement direction of the substrate  10 . In  FIG. 15 , members that are the same as those shown in  FIGS. 10 to 12  showing the vapor deposition device of Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted here. Hereinafter, Embodiment 2 will be described, focusing on the difference from Embodiment 1. 
     Embodiment 2 is different from Embodiment 1 in the cross-sectional shape along the XZ plane of the limiting plates  81  of the limiting plate unit  80 . 
     Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 15 , the side surfaces of the limiting plates  81  that define a limiting space  82  in the X axis direction each have two ends in the vertical direction (Z axis direction) protruding toward the limiting space  82 , and a region between the two ends is recessed. In  FIG. 15 , the side surfaces of the limiting plates  81  each have, on the vapor deposition mask  70  side in the Z axis direction, a first surface  84   a  that is inclined similarly to the side surface  83  shown in  FIG. 12 , and have, on the vapor deposition source  60  side in the Z axis direction, a second surface  84   b  that is inclined in a direction opposite to the inclination of the first surface  84   a . The normal line direction of the first surface  84   a  points toward the vapor deposition source  60 , and the normal line direction of the second surface  84   b  points toward the substrate  10 . The upper ends of the first surfaces  84   a  form the narrowest portion  81   n . The double-dot-dashed lines shown in  FIG. 12  illustratively indicate the flight trajectories of re-vaporized vapor deposition particles  92 . The arrows at the tip end of the double-dot-dashed lines indicate the flight directions of the vapor deposition particles  92 . 
     According to Embodiment 2, even if the vapor deposition material that has adhered to the first surface  84   a  is re-vaporized, the first surface  84   a  is inclined in the same direction as the side surface  83  of Embodiment 1 shown in  FIG. 12 , and thus as in the case described with reference to  FIG. 12 , the number of vapor deposition particles traveling toward the substrate  10  among the re-vaporized vapor deposition particles  92  is very small. 
     In addition, according to Embodiment 2, as compared with the side surface  83  (see  FIG. 12 ) or the first surface  83   a  (see  FIG. 13 ) of Embodiment 1, the first surface  84   a  can be inclined more steeply so as to oppose the vapor deposition source  60 , without increasing the dimension in the Z axis direction of the limiting plates  81 . Accordingly, the number of vapor deposition particles  92  re-vaporized off the first surface  84   a  toward the substrate  10  can be further reduced as compared with Embodiment 1. 
     On the other hand, the second surface  84   b  is inclined so as to oppose the vapor deposition mask  70 , and thus usually the vapor deposition particles  91  are less likely to adhere to the second surface  84   b , as compared with the second surface  83   b  shown in  FIG. 13 . Accordingly, the amount of vapor deposition material re-vaporized off the second surface  84   b  is relatively smaller than that in Embodiment 1. However, the vapor deposition particles  91  discharged from a vapor deposition source opening  61  located far away from the second surface  84   b  may adhere to the second surface  84   b , depending on the inclination of the second surface  84   b  or the relative position of the second surface  84   b  with respect to the vapor deposition source opening  61 . In this case, even if the vapor deposition material that has adhered to the second surface  84   b  is re-vaporized, it is highly likely that the re-vaporized vapor deposition particles  92  will collide with and be captured by the first surface  84   a  that is disposed closer to the substrate  10  than the second surface  84   b  is, as with the vapor deposition particles  92  re-vaporized off the second surface  83   b  shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     Therefore, according to Embodiment 2, a coating film  90  in which the edge blur is further suppressed as compared with Embodiment 1 can be formed at a desired position on the substrate  10 . Also, the frequency of replacement of the limiting plate unit  80  can be further reduced, and thus throughput at the time of mass production can be improved and productivity can be improved. 
     Furthermore, according to Embodiment 2, the second surface  84   b  is formed below (on the vapor deposition source  60  side) the first surface  84   a , and thus even if a large amount of vapor deposition material that has adhered to the first surface  84   a  separates and falls from the first surface  84   a , the vapor deposition material will fall onto and be captured by the second surface  84   b . As a result, the possibility that the vapor deposition material will fall onto the vapor deposition source  60  can be reduced. If the vapor deposition material separated from the limiting plates  81  falls onto the vapor deposition source  60  and is re-vaporized, the vapor deposition particles will adhere to an undesired position on the substrate  10 . Also, if the vapor deposition material separated from the limiting plates  81  falls onto the vapor deposition source openings  61 , the vapor deposition source openings  61  will be clogged. As a result, the coating film will not be formed at a desired position on the substrate  10 . According to Embodiment 2, the possibility of the occurrence of such a disadvantage can be reduced. 
     In the above example, the side surface of each limiting plate  81  is constituted by a first surface  84   a  and a second surface  84   b  that are inclined in opposite directions to each other, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 16A , a third surface  84   c  that is substantially parallel to the Z axis direction may be provided between the first surface  84   a  and the second surface  84   b  that are inclined similarly to the first surface  84   a  and the second surface  84   b  shown in  FIG. 15 . Although illustration is omitted, two or more surfaces that are inclined in different directions may be provided between the first surface  84   a  and the second surface  84   b.    
     Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 16B , the side surfaces of the limiting plates  81  each may be a concavely curved surface  84   d . The curved surface  84   d  can be, for example, a part of a cylindrical surface or any concavely curved surface. Each of the side surfaces of the limiting plates  81  does not need to be a single curved surface  84   d  as shown in  FIG. 16B , and may be, for example, a combination of a plurality of curved surfaces whose curvature changes discontinuously or a combination of a curved surface and a flat surface. 
     Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 16C , overhangs (or brims or flanges)  85   a  and  85   b  protruding toward the limiting space  82  may be formed at two edges in the vertical direction (Z axis direction) of the side surface of each limiting plate  81 . The tip ends of the first overhangs  85   a  located on the upper side (on the vapor deposition mask  70  side) form the narrowest portion  81   n . As with the overhang  85  shown in  FIG. 14 , the first overhang  85   a  captures the vapor deposition particles re-vaporized off a region below the first overhang  85   a  of the limiting plate  81  toward the substrate  10 . On the other hand, the second overhang  85   b  located on the lower side (on the vapor deposition source  60  side) prevents the vapor deposition particles from adhering to a connecting surface  85   c  between the first overhang  85   a  and the second overhang  85   b . The upper surface of the second overhang  85   b  is substantially parallel to the XY plane. This is effective particularly to, even if the vapor deposition material accumulated on the undersurface of the first overhang  85   a  and the connecting surface  85   c  separates therefrom, receive the vapor deposition material and prevent the vapor deposition material from falling on the vapor deposition source  60  side. In  FIG. 16C , the connecting surface  85   c  is a flat surface that is substantially parallel to the Z axis direction, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the connecting surface  85   c  may be a flat surface whose normal line is inclined toward the substrate  10  or the vapor deposition source  60 . Alternatively, the connecting surface  85   c  may be, instead of the flat surface  85   c , an arbitrary curved surface (preferably a concavely curved surface). 
     Embodiment 3 
       FIG. 17  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a vapor deposition device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, as viewed in a direction parallel to the movement direction of the substrate  10 . In  FIG. 17 , members that are the same as those shown in  FIGS. 10 to 12  showing the vapor deposition device of Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted here. Hereinafter, Embodiment 3 will be described, focusing on the difference from Embodiments 1 and 2. 
     Embodiment 3 is different from Embodiments 1 and 2 in the cross-sectional shape along the XZ plane of the limiting plates  81  of the limiting plate unit  80 . 
     Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 17 , overhangs (or brims or flanges)  86   a  and  86   b  protruding toward the limiting space  82  are formed at two edges in the vertical direction (Z axis direction) of the side surface of each limiting plate  81  defining the limiting space  82  in the X axis direction. The tip ends of the first overhangs  86   a  located on the upper side (on the vapor deposition mask  70  side) form the narrowest portion  81   n . Unlike the overhang  85  shown in  FIG. 14  and the first overhang  85   a  shown in  FIG. 16C , the first overhang  86   a  is inclined such that the first overhang  86   a  is closer to the vapor deposition source  60  as the distance to the tip end (the narrowest portion  81   n ) decreases. The first overhang  86   a  is a thin plate having a substantially uniform thickness, and therefore the undersurface (the surface opposing the vapor deposition source  60 )  86   aa  of the first overhang  86   a  is also inclined similarly to the first overhang  86   a . That is, the normal line direction of the undersurface  86   aa  of the first overhang  86   a  points to the limiting plate  81  itself (more specifically, the connecting surface  86   c  between the first overhang  86   a  and the second overhang  86   b ). Accordingly, there are substantially no vapor deposition particles that are re-vaporized off the undersurface  86   aa  of the first overhang  86   a , pass through a space between the first overhangs  86   a  of neighboring limiting plates  81  and travel toward the substrate  10 . 
     Also, the connecting surface  86   c  between the first overhang  86   a  and the second overhang  86   b  is inclined such that the dimension in the X axis direction of the limiting space  82  becomes larger as the distance to the vapor deposition source  60  decreases, as with the side surface  83  shown in  FIG. 12 . Accordingly, the number of vapor deposition particles traveling toward the substrate  10  among the vapor deposition particles re-vaporized off the connecting surface  86   c  is very small. Even if vapor deposition particles  92  are re-vaporized off the connecting surface  86   c  toward the substrate  10 , the vapor deposition particles  92  will collide with and be captured by the undersurface  86   aa  of the first overhang  86   a.    
     Accordingly, a coating film  90  in which the edge blur is further suppressed as compared with  FIG. 16C  can be formed at a desired position on the substrate  10 . Also, the frequency of replacement of the limiting plate unit  80  can be further reduced, and thus throughput at the time of mass production can be improved and productivity can be improved. 
     As with the second overhang  85   b  shown in  FIG. 16C , the second overhang  86   b  on the lower side (on the vapor deposition source  60  side) prevents vapor deposition particles from adhering to the connecting surface  86   c , as well as receiving the vapor deposition material separated from the undersurface  86   aa  of the first overhang  86   a  and the connecting surface  85   c  and preventing the vapor deposition material from falling onto the vapor deposition source  60 . 
     Embodiment 4 
       FIG. 18A  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a vapor deposition device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, as viewed in a direction parallel to the movement direction of the substrate  10 .  FIG. 18B  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a limiting plate  81  shown in  FIG. 18A . In  FIGS. 18A and 18B , members that are the same as those shown in  FIGS. 10 to 12  showing the vapor deposition device of Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted here. Hereinafter, Embodiment 4 will be described, focusing on the difference from Embodiments 1 to 3. 
     Embodiment 4 is different from Embodiments 1 to 3 in the cross-sectional shape along the XZ plane of the limiting plates  81  of the limiting plate unit  80 . 
     Specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 18A and 18B , the side surface of each limiting plate  81  defining the limiting space  82  in the X axis direction has a plurality of steps in a substantially stepwise arrangement (substantially saw-like arrangement). The steps are formed by surfaces  87   a ,  87   b ,  87   c ,  87   d ,  87   e ,  87   f  and  87   g  that are disposed in order from the vapor deposition mask  70  toward the vapor deposition source  60 . An overhang (or brim or flange)  87  protruding toward the limiting space  82  is formed at an upper edge of the limiting plate  81 . The surface  87   a  constitutes a distal surface of the overhang  87 . The narrowest portion  81   n  is located at an upper end of the surface  87   a.    
     The positions in the X axis direction of surfaces  87   a ,  87   c ,  87   e  and  87   g  are successively shifted so that the dimension in the X axis direction of the limiting space  82  is increased as the distance to the vapor deposition source  60  decreases. The surfaces  87   a ,  87   c ,  87   e  and  87   g  are successively connected by surfaces  87   b ,  87   d  and  87   f . Accordingly, as viewed macroscopically, the side surface of the limiting plate  81  having a plurality of steps in a substantially stepwise arrangement is inclined such that the dimension in the X axis direction of the limiting space  82  becomes larger as the distance to the vapor deposition source  60  decreases. 
     The surfaces  87   a ,  87   c ,  87   e  and  87   g  are inclined such that the dimension in the X axis direction of the limiting space  82  is increased as the distance to the vapor deposition source  60  decreases, as with the side surface  83  shown in  FIG. 12 . Accordingly, the number of vapor deposition particles traveling toward the substrate  10  among the vapor deposition particles re-vaporized off the surfaces  87   a ,  87   c ,  87   e  and  87   g  is very small. Even if vapor deposition particles are re-vaporized off the surfaces  87   c ,  87   e  and  87   g  toward the substrate  10 , the vapor deposition particles will collide with and be captured by the surfaces  87   b ,  87   d  and  87   f.    
     Also, the surfaces  87   b ,  87   d  and  87   f  are inclined in the same direction as the undersurface  86   aa  of the first overhang  86   a  shown in  FIG. 17 , and thus there are substantially no vapor deposition particles that are re-vaporized off the surfaces  87   b ,  87   d  and  87   f , pass through a space between the overhangs  87  of neighboring limiting plates  81  and travel toward the substrate  10 . 
     Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a coating film  90  in which the edge blur is further suppressed can be formed at a desired position on the substrate  10 . Also, the frequency of replacement of the limiting plate unit  80  can be further reduced, and thus throughput at the time of mass production can be improved and productivity can be improved. 
     The direction of inclination of the surfaces  87   b ,  87   d  and  87   f  is not limited to that described above. For example, the surfaces  87   b ,  87   d  and  87   f  may be surfaces whose normal line direction is parallel to the Z axis. 
     The direction of inclination of the surfaces  87   a ,  87   c ,  87   e  and  87   g  is not limited to that described above, either. For example, the surfaces  87   a ,  87   c ,  87   e  and  87   g  may be surfaces parallel to the Z axis direction. However, in order to reduce the number of vapor deposition particles re-vaporized off the surface  87   a  toward the substrate  10 , the distal surface  87   a  of the overhang  87  is preferably inclined in the direction shown in  FIGS. 18A and 18B . 
     The number of inclined surfaces that form the steps in a substantially stepwise arrangement of the side surface of the limiting plate  81  can be any number, and may be either greater or less than that shown in  FIGS. 18A and 18B . 
     As shown in  FIG. 19 , the overhang  87  may be formed by using a thin plate so that the upper surface of the overhang  87  is parallel to the surface  87   b . This configuration can reduce the area of the distal surface  87   a  of the overhang  87 , as a result of which the vapor deposition particles re-vaporized off the surface  87   a  can be reduced. Accordingly, the number of vapor deposition particles re-vaporized toward the substrate  10  can be reduced as well. Alternatively, in order to further reduce the area of the distal surface  87   a  of the overhang  87 , the cross-sectional shape of the overhang  87  may be formed in a substantially wedge shape that becomes thinner toward the distal surface  87   a.    
     In Embodiment 4, a second overhang similar to the second overhang  85   b  shown in  FIG. 16C  or the second overhang  86   b  shown in  FIG. 17  may be formed at the lower edges of the side surface of the limiting plate  81 . In this case, the same effects as those of the second overhangs  85   b  and  86   b  can be obtained. 
     Embodiments 1 to 4 described above are merely illustrative. The present invention is not limited to Embodiments 1 to 4 described above and can be modified as appropriate. 
     Embodiments 1 to 4 given above described the side surfaces of the limiting plates  81  defining the limiting spaces  82  in the X axis direction, but in addition to this, the side surfaces  89  (see  FIG. 10 ) of the limiting plate unit  80  that define the limiting spaces  82  in the Y axis direction may have the same configuration as the side surfaces of the limiting plates  81  described in Embodiments 1 to 4 given above. There is a possibility that the vapor deposition material that has adhered to the side surfaces  89  will also be re-vaporized. In this case, it is difficult to control the flight directions (the components thereof in the X axis direction in particular) of the re-vaporized vapor deposition particles. Accordingly, by configuring the side surfaces  89  in the same manner as the side surfaces of the limiting plates  81 , it is possible to suppress a situation in which the vapor deposition material adheres to an undesired position on the substrate due to the vapor deposition particles re-vaporized off the side surfaces  89 . 
     In Embodiments 1 to 4 described above, the vapor deposition source  60  has a plurality of the nozzle-shaped vapor deposition source openings  61  arranged at equal pitch in the X axis direction, but the shapes of the vapor deposition source openings are not limited to this in the present invention. For example, the vapor deposition source openings may have a slot shape extending in the X axis direction. In this case, a single slot-shaped vapor deposition source opening may be disposed so as to correspond to a plurality of the limiting spaces  82 . 
     If the substrate  10  has a large dimension in the X axis direction, a plurality of vapor deposition units  50  as shown in the above-described embodiments may be arranged at different positions in the X axis direction and in the Y axis direction. 
     In Embodiments 1 to 4 described above, the substrate  10  is moved relative to the vapor deposition unit  50  that is stationary, but the present invention is not limited thereto. It is sufficient that one of the vapor deposition unit  50  and the substrate  10  is moved relative to the other. For example, it may be possible to fix the position of the substrate  10  and move the vapor deposition unit  50 . Alternatively, both the vapor deposition unit  50  and the substrate  10  may be moved. 
     In Embodiments 1 to 4 described above, the substrate  10  is disposed above the vapor deposition unit  50 , but the relative positional relationship between the vapor deposition unit  50  and the substrate  10  is not limited thereto. It may be possible to, for example, dispose the substrate  10  below the vapor deposition unit  50  or dispose the vapor deposition unit  50  and the substrate  10  so as to oppose each other in the horizontal direction. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     There is no particular limitation on the fields to which the vapor deposition device and vapor deposition method of the present invention can be applied, and the present invention is preferably used to form light emitting layers for use in organic EL display devices. 
     DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 
     
         
           10  Substrate 
           10   e  Deposition Surface 
           20  Organic EL Element 
           23 R,  23 G,  23 B Light Emitting Layer 
           50  Vapor Deposition Unit 
           56  Moving Mechanism 
           60  Vapor Deposition Source 
           61  Vapor Deposition Source Opening 
           70  Vapor Deposition Mask 
           71  Mask Opening 
           80  Limiting Plate Unit 
           81  Limiting Plate 
           81   n  Narrowest Portion of Limiting Space 
           82  Limiting Space 
           83  Side Surface 
           83   a , 84   a  First Surface 
           83   b , 84   b  Second Surface 
           84   c  Third Surface 
           84   d  Curved Surface 
           83   c  Surface 
           85 , 87  Overhang 
           85   a , 86   a  First Overhang 
           85   b , 86   b  Second Overhang 
           85   c , 86   c  Connecting Surface 
           87   a , 87   b , 87   c , 87   d , 87   e , 87   f , 87   g  Surface 
           89  Side Surface of Limiting Plate Unit 
           91  Vapor Deposition Particles 
           92  Re-Vaporized Vapor Deposition Particles