Patent Abstract:
A laser induced thermal imaging apparatus comprises a substrate support configured to support a substrate, a donor film holder configured to hold a donor film at a position over the substrate support, and a press unit comprising a first elastic member and a second elastic member disposed over the substrate support. The press unit is configured to move the first and second elastic members in a pressing direction toward the substrate support for pressing the donor film to the substrate to laminate the donor film onto the substrate. The second elastic member surrounds the first elastic member when viewed in the pressing direction and is more rigid than the first elastic member.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This U.S. non-provisional patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0049522, filed on May 2, 2013, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of Disclosure 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to a laser induced thermal imaging apparatus and a laser induced thermal image method using the same. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the Related Technology 
         [0005]    In recent years, organic light emitting displays have been spotlighted as a next generation display device since they have superior brightness and viewing angle and do not need to include a separate light source when compared to a liquid crystal display. Accordingly, the organic light emitting displays have advantages of slimness and lightweight. In addition, the organic light emitting displays have advantageous properties, e.g., fast response speed, low power consumption, high brightness, etc. 
         [0006]    In general, the organic light emitting displays include an organic light emitting diode including an anode electrode, an organic light emitting layer, and a cathode electrode. Holes and electrons are injected into the organic emitting layer through the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, and are recombined in the organic light emitting layer to generate excitons (electron-hole pairs). The excitons emit energy, which is discharged when an excited state returns to a ground state, as light. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present disclosure provides a laser induced thermal imaging apparatus capable of sequentially pressing a donor film over a substrate to be fixed to the substrate. 
         [0008]    The present disclosure provides a laser induced thermal imaging apparatus using the laser induced thermal imaging apparatus. 
         [0009]    Embodiments of the inventive concept provide a laser induced thermal imaging apparatus including a substrate support configured to support a substrate; a donor film holder configured to hold a donor film at a position over the substrate support; and a press unit comprising a first elastic member and a second elastic member disposed over the substrate support, and configured to move the first and second elastic members in a pressing direction toward the substrate support for pressing the donor film to the substrate to laminate the donor film onto the substrate, wherein the second elastic member surrounds the first elastic member when viewed in the pressing direction and is more rigid than the first elastic member. 
         [0010]    The first elastic member has a thickness at a boundary thereof, which is greater than a thickness of the second elastic member, and the first elastic member has a first thickness at a first position and a second thickness at a second position which is closer to the boundary than the first position when viewed in the pressing direction, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness. 
         [0011]    The press unit further includes a press plate comprising a surface facing the substrate support, and the first and second elastic members are disposed over the surface of the press plate to face the substrate support. 
         [0012]    The first and second elastic members are configured to move in the pressing direction to press the donor film to the substrate, and the donor film and the substrate are attached to each other in a non-deposition area of the substrate by an adhesive material. 
         [0013]    The donor film holder comprise includes first and second film supporters placed at both side portions of the donor film to support the donor film. 
         [0014]    The donor film includes a transfer layer that comprises the deposition material comprising an organic light emissive material for forming an organic light emitting layer over the substrate, a plurality of first holes formed through a first side portion of the donor film, and a plurality of second holes formed through a second side portion of the donor film. 
         [0015]    The first film supporter includes a plurality of first protrusions configured to engage with the first holes, and the second film supporter includes a plurality of second protrusions configured to engage with the second holes to support the donor film at the first and second side portions. 
         [0016]    The laser induced thermal imaging apparatus further includes a first chamber that accommodates the substrate support, the donor film holder, and the press unit so as to laminate the donor film over the substrate therein, and a second chamber configured to receive the substrate, on which the donor film is laminated, from the first chamber, a mask disposed in the second chamber and including a plurality of openings, and a laser beam irradiation unit disposed over the mask in the second chamber, and configured to irradiate a laser beam onto the donor film received in the second chamber through the openings such that the deposition material is transferred onto the substrate. 
         [0017]    The laser induced thermal imaging apparatus further includes a third chamber configured to receive the substrate on which the deposition material is transferred, and a delamination roller disposed in the third chamber, including a plurality of third protrusions configured to engage with the first holes, and configured to roll to delaminate the donor film from the substrate. 
         [0018]    Embodiments of the inventive concept provide a laser induced thermal imaging method of making a light emitting device comprising an organic light emissive layer including providing a substrate comprising a deposition surface that includes a deposition area and a non-deposition area surrounding the deposition area; providing a donor film comprising an adhesive material and a deposition material on a transfer surface thereof such that the transfer surface faces the substrate; providing a press unit movable along a pressing direction and comprising a first elastic member and a second elastic member surrounding the first elastic member when viewed in the pressing direction, wherein the second elastic member is more rigid than the first elastic member; arranging the press unit, the donor film and the substrate such that the donor film is located between the press unit and the substrate; and moving the first and second elastic members of the press unit toward the donor film to press the donor film onto the substrate and to laminate the donor film on the substrate, thereby laminating the donor film on the substrate, wherein the second elastic member presses the donor film such that the adhesive material is attached to the non-deposition area. 
         [0019]    Embodiments of the inventive concept provide a method of making a light emitting device comprising an organic light emissive layer, the method comprising: providing a substrate support and a press unit configured to move along a pressing direction toward the substrate support, the press unit comprising: a first press member comprising a first press surface, and a second press member comprising a second press surface and surrounding the first press member when viewed in the pressing direction, wherein the first press surface is closer to the support than the second press surface; providing a substrate comprising a plurality of layers and a deposition surface; providing a donor film comprising a transfer surface and an organic light emissive material and an adhesive material which are provided on the transfer surface such that the adhesive material surrounds the adhesive material when viewed in the pressing direction; arranging the substrate and the donor film between the substrate support and the press unit such that the donor film is located between the substrate and the press unit and further such that the second press member overlaps the adhesive material when viewed in the pressing direction; and moving the first and second press members along the pressing direction toward the stage to press the donor film to the substrate, thereby attaching the donor film to the substrate using the adhesive material, wherein, while pressing, the organic light emissive material first contacts the substrate, and subsequently the adhesive material contacts and is attached to the substrate. In the foregoing method, when pressing, the first and second press members may move together, and the second press member has is more rigid than the first press member. 
         [0020]    According to the above, the donor film may be sequentially pressed to and fixed to the substrate. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    The above and other advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a view showing a laser induced thermal imaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a view showing an inner configuration of a first chamber shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a plan view showing an arrangement of a donor film and a substrate shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing a first film supporter shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a press unit shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view showing a substrate shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of the donor film shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0029]      FIGS. 8 to 10  are views showing a lamination process performed in the first chamber shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view showing the donor film pressed onto the substrate; 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  is a view showing an inner configuration of a second chamber shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 13  is a view showing a transfer process performed in the second chamber shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 14  is a view showing an inner configuration of a third chamber shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 15  is a view showing a delamination process performed in the third chamber shown in  FIG. 14 ; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view showing an organic light emitting device manufactured after a laser induced thermal imaging process is performed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0037]    Generally, organic light emitting layers of organic light emitting devices are formed by a printing method, e.g., an inkjet printing method, a nozzle printing method, etc., or a laser induced thermal imaging method. Among them, the laser induced thermal imaging method is performed by arranging a donor film including an organic material layer to face a substrate and irradiating a laser beam onto the donor film. Due to heat by the laser beam, the organic layer is transferred onto the substrate. 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  is a view showing a laser induced thermal imaging apparatus  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , in embodiments, the laser induced thermal imaging apparatus  100  includes a first chamber  10 _ 1 , a second chamber  10 _ 2 , a third chamber  10 _ 3 , a first transfer chamber TFC 1 , and a second transfer chamber TFC 2 . 
         [0040]    The first chamber  10 _ 1  performs a lamination process, the second chamber  10 _ 2  performs a transfer process, and the third chamber  10 _ 3  performs a delamination process. The first, second and third chambers  10 _ 1 ,  10 _ 2 , and  10 _ 3  maintain a vacuum state when the lamination, transfer, and delamination processes are performed. The lamination, transfer, and delamination processes will be described in detail. 
         [0041]    In embodiments, the first transfer chamber TFC 1  is disposed between the first chamber  101  and the second chamber  10 _ 2 . The first transfer chamber TFC 1  receives a substrate from the first chamber  10 _ 1  and provides the substrate to the second chamber  10 _ 2 . 
         [0042]    The first transfer chamber TFC 1  includes a first transfer robot ROB 1 . The first transfer robot ROB 1  receives the substrate from the first chamber  10 _ 1  which is attached to the donor film, and transfers the substrate to the second chamber  10 _ 2 . The first transfer robot ROB 1  includes a first robot arm R_A 1 . The substrate on which the lamination process is performed is loaded on the first robot arm R_A 1 . 
         [0043]    The second transfer chamber TFC 2  is disposed between the second chamber  10 _ 2  and the third chamber  10 _ 3 . The second transfer chamber TFC 2  receives the substrate from the second chamber  10 _ 2  and provides the substrate to the third chamber  10 _ 3 . 
         [0044]    The second transfer chamber TFC 2  includes a second transfer robot ROB 2 . The second transfer robot ROB 2  receives the substrate from the second chamber  10 _ 2 , on which the transfer process is performed, and transfers the substrate to the third chamber  10 _ 3 . The second transfer robot ROB 2  includes a second robot arm R_A 2 . The substrate on which the transfer process is performed is loaded on the second robot arm R_A 2 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 2  is a view showing an inner configuration of the first chamber shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 3  is a plan view showing an arrangement of a donor film and the substrate shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing a first film supporter shown in  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a press unit shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 to 5 , the substrate  110 , a first supporter SP 1 , a donor film  120 , an adhesive member AD, first and second film supporters  31  and  32 , first and second transfer units  33  and  34 , a press unit  130 , and a press unit transfer unit  50  are disposed in the first chamber  10 _ 1  in which the lamination process is performed. 
         [0047]    The first supporter SP 1  is disposed at a lower portion in the first chamber  10 _ 1 . The substrate  110  is disposed on the first supporter SP 1 . 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the substrate  110  includes a deposition area DA and a non-deposition area NDA disposed to surround the deposition area DA when viewed in a plan view. The donor film includes a transfer layer  123  (refer to  FIG. 7 ). The transfer layer  123  includes a deposition material, for example, an organic light emissive material. The deposition material is transferred to the deposition area DA and not transferred to the non-deposition area NDA. 
         [0049]    The donor film  120  is disposed over the substrate  110  to face the substrate  110  and spaced apart from the substrate  110  at a predetermined distance. The adhesive member AD of an adhesive material is provided on a surface of the donor film  120  which faces the substrate  110 . The adhesive member AD is disposed at a position corresponding to the non-deposition area NDA of the substrate  110  as shown in  FIG. 3 . In addition, the adhesive member AD is disposed to surround the deposition area DA when viewed in a plan view. 
         [0050]    In  FIG. 3 , the adhesive member AD has a closed-loop shape, e.g., a rectangular shape, but it should not be limited to the rectangular shape. For instance, the closed-loop shape may be a circular shape, an oval shape, or a polygonal shape. 
         [0051]    The first and second film supporters  31  and  32  are disposed at first and second side portions of the donor film  120  to support the donor film  120 , respectively. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the donor film  120  includes a plurality of first holes H 1  formed at the first side portion of the donor film  120  and a plurality of second holes H 2  formed at the second side portion of the donor film  120 . 
         [0053]    The first film supporter  31  includes a plurality of first protrusions P 1  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Each of the first protrusions P 1  is inserted into a corresponding first hole of the first holes H 1 . 
         [0054]    For the convenience of explanation, only the first film supporter  31  has been shown in  FIG. 4 , but the first and second film supporters  31  and  32  have the same structure. That is, the second film supporter  32  includes a plurality of second protrusions P 2  each of which is inserted into a corresponding second hole of the second holes H 2 . 
         [0055]    The first protrusions P 1  of the first film supporter  31  and the second protrusions P 2  of the second film supporter  32  are inserted into the first holes H 1  and the second holes H 2  of the donor film  120 , respectively, and thus the donor film  120  is flatly supported by the first and second film supporters  31  and  32 . In embodiments, the donor film may be tensioned when the protrusions P 1  and P 2  engage with holes H 1  and H 2 . 
         [0056]    The first transfer unit  33  is disposed under the first film supporter  31  to upwardly and downwardly move the first film supporter  31 . The second transfer unit  34  is disposed under the second film supporter  33  to upwardly and downwardly move the second film supporter  32 . 
         [0057]    The press unit  130  is disposed at an upper portion in the first chamber  10 _ 1 . The press unit  130  is disposed over the donor film  120  to be spaced apart from the donor film  120  at a predetermined distance. That is, the press unit  130  includes a pressing surface facing the substrate  110  while the donor film  120  is interposed between the substrate and the pressing surface. 
         [0058]    The press unit  130  includes a press plate  131 , a first elastic member  132 , and a second elastic member  133  which are movable in a pressing direction toward the supporter. The first and second elastic members  132  and  133  are disposed under the press plate  131 . 
         [0059]    The second elastic member  133  is disposed to surround the first elastic member  132  when viewed in a pressing direction. The second elastic member  133  is disposed to overlap with the adhesive member AD when viewed in a pressing direction. Thus, the second elastic member  133  is disposed to correspond to the non-deposition area NDA of the substrate  110 . 
         [0060]    As an example, the second elastic member  133  has the same width as that of the adhesive member AD, but it should not be limited thereto or thereby. That is, the second elastic member  133  may have the width greater than that of the adhesive member AD. 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the first elastic member  132  has a thickness at a boundary thereof, which is thicker than a thickness of the second elastic member  133 . For the convenience of explanation,  FIG. 5  shows the perspective view of the press unit  130  upside down. The thickness of the first elastic member  132  becomes thick as it is closer to the center thereof. In the embodiments illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a pressing surface of the first elastic member is closer to the donor film  120  (or the substrate  110  or the supporter SP 1 ) than a pressing surface of the second elastic material. Also, the first elastic material has the pressing surface closest to the donor film at its center, and the pressing surface farthest from the donor film at its boundary. 
         [0062]    The second elastic member  133  has a stiffness or rigidity greater than that of the first elastic member  132 . For instance, the second elastic member  133  may be formed of an elastic material, e.g., a rubber. In embodiments, the second elastic material may be made of a hard rubber. The first elastic member  132  may be formed of expanded polystyrene, e.g., Styrofoam, to have the stiffness or rigidity smaller than that of the rubber. Thus, the first elastic member is more easily deformed than the second elastic member. 
         [0063]    The press unit transfer unit  50  is disposed on the press unit  130  and connected to the press unit  130 . The press unit transfer unit  50  upwardly and downwardly moves the press unit  130 . In detail, the press unit transfer unit  50  is connected to the press plate  131  of the press unit  130  to upwardly and downwardly move the press unit  130 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view showing the substrate shown in  FIG. 2 , and the substrate shown in  FIG. 6  may be used when an organic light emitting display device is manufactured. 
         [0065]    Although not shown in figures, the substrate  110  includes a plurality of pixel areas. First electrodes are respectively arranged in the pixel areas and thin film transistors are respectively connected to pixel electrodes. For the convenience of explanation,  FIG. 6  shows only one thin film transistor and only one pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor. 
         [0066]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the substrate  110  includes a base substrate  111 , a first insulating layer  112 , a second insulating layer  113 , a protective layer  114 , a thin film transistor TFT, a first electrode E 1 , and a pixel defined layer PDL. 
         [0067]    The base substrate  111  may be a transparent insulating substrate formed of glass, quartz, or ceramic or a transparent flexible substrate formed of plastic. The base substrate  111  may be a metal substrate formed of a stainless steel. 
         [0068]    A semiconductor layer SM of the thin film transistor TFT is disposed over the base substrate  111 . The semiconductor layer SM is formed of an inorganic semiconductor material, e.g., amorphous silicon or polysilicon, or an organic semiconductor material. In addition, the semiconductor layer SM may be formed oxide semiconductor. Although not shown in  FIG. 6 , the semiconductor layer SM includes a source area, a drain area, and a channel area disposed between the source area and the drain area. 
         [0069]    The first insulating layer  112  is disposed over the base substrate  111  to cover the semiconductor layer SM. The first insulating layer  112  serves as a gate insulating layer. 
         [0070]    A gate electrode GE of the thin film transistor TFT is disposed on the first insulating layer  112  to overlap with the semiconductor layer SM. In detail, the gate electrode GE is overlapped with the channel area of the semiconductor layer SM. The gate electrode GE is connected to a gate line (not shown) that applies on/off signals to the thin film transistor TFT. 
         [0071]    The second insulating layer  113  is disposed on the first gate insulating layer  112  to cover the first gate insulating layer  112 . The second insulating layer  113  serves as an inter-insulating layer 
         [0072]    A source electrode SE and a drain electrode DE of the thin film transistor TFT are disposed on the second insulating layer  113  to be spaced apart from each other. The source electrode SE is connected to the semiconductor layer SM through a first contact hole CH 1  formed through the first and second insulating layers  112  and  113 . In detail, the source electrode SE is connected to the source area of the semiconductor layer SM. 
         [0073]    The drain electrode DE is connected to the semiconductor layer SM through a second contact hole CH 2  formed through the first and second insulating layers  112  and  113 . In detail, the drain electrode DE is connected to the drain area of the semiconductor layer SM. 
         [0074]    The protective layer  114  is disposed over the second insulating layer  113  to cover the source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE. 
         [0075]    A first electrode E 1  is disposed on the protective layer  114 . The first electrode E 1  is connected to the drain electrode DE of the thin film transistor TFT through a third contact hole CH 3  formed through the protective layer  114 . 
         [0076]    The pixel defined layer PDL is disposed on the protective layer  114  to cover a boundary surface of the first electrode E 1 . The pixel defined layer PDL includes a first opening OP 1  to expose a portion of the first electrode E 1 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of the donor film shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0078]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , the donor film  120  includes a base film  121 , a light-heat conversion layer  122  disposed under the base film  121 , and a transfer layer  123  disposed under the light-heat conversion layer  122 . 
         [0079]    The base film  121  is formed of a transparent polymer organic material, such as polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polyethylenenaphthalate (PEN), polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), etc. 
         [0080]    The light-heat conversion layer  122  converts light incident thereto to heat. The light-heat conversion layer  122  includes a light absorbing material, e.g., aluminum oxide, aluminum sulfide, carbon black, graphite, or infrared ray dye. 
         [0081]    When the substrate  110  is a substrate for the organic light emitting display device, the transfer layer  123  may be an organic transfer layer. The organic transfer layer includes a hole injection layer, a hole transporting layer, a light emission layer, an electron transporting layer, and an electron injection layer. The transfer layer  123  is disposed to face the substrate  110 . 
         [0082]      FIGS. 8 to 10  are views showing a lamination process performed in the first chamber shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0083]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , the press unit transfer unit  50  downwardly moves the press unit  130 . The press unit  130  presses the donor film  120  to the substrate  110  to laminate the donor film  120  over the substrate  110 . 
         [0084]    In detail, the first elastic member  132  has the thickness thicker than that of the second elastic member  133  and the thickness of the first elastic member  132  is greatest at the center of the first elastic member  132 . Accordingly, the center of the first elastic member  132  of the press unit  130  first makes contact with a center of the donor film  120 , and thus the donor film  120  is pressed toward the substrate  110 . As a result, the center of the donor film  120  first makes contact with the substrate  110  and is pressed toward the substrate  110 . 
         [0085]    As the press unit  130  downwardly moves, a periphery of the first elastic member  132  subsequently makes contact with the donor film  120 . That is, the contact area between the first elastic member  132  and the donor film  120  increases from the center to the periphery. Therefore, the donor film  120  is pressed toward the substrate  110  by making contact the first elastic member  132  with the donor film  120 . As a result, the center and the periphery of the donor film  120  sequentially make contact with the substrate  110  to be pressed to the substrate  110 . That is, the contact area between the donor film  120  and the substrate  110  is increased as the press unit  130  moves down. 
         [0086]    As the contact area between the first elastic member  132  and the donor film  120  increases, the first elastic member  132  is deformed and contracted. 
         [0087]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , as the press unit  130  downwardly moves, the contact area between the first elastic member  132  and the donor film  120  becomes wider from the center to the periphery. In addition, the contact area between the donor film  120  and the substrate  110  becomes wider from the center to the periphery. Thus, the donor film  120  may be pressed to the substrate  110  throughout the deposition area DA. 
         [0088]    In a case that the entire portion of the donor film  120  is pressed to the substrate  110  at the same time, the donor film  120  having flexibility may not be pressed to the substrate  110  at the same time. In this case, a delamination phenomenon, in which a predetermined space is formed between the donor film  120  and the substrate  110 , occurs. That is, the donor film  120  is not uniformly pressed to the substrate  110 , so that a transfer defect occurs. 
         [0089]    However, the center of the donor film  120  is first pressed to the substrate  110  due to the compression of the first elastic member  132  having the thickness greatest at the center thereof. Then, the contact area between the first elastic member  132  and the donor film  120  becomes wider from the center to the periphery and the contact area between the donor film  120  and the substrate  110  becomes wider from the center to the periphery. That is, the center and the periphery of the donor film  120  are sequentially pressed to the substrate. Therefore, the donor film  120  may be uniformly pressed to the substrate  110 . As a result, the delamination phenomenon may be prevented. 
         [0090]    The donor film  120  is pressed to the deposition area DA of the substrate  110  and the second elastic member  133  makes contact with the donor film  120  in the non-deposition area NDA. The second elastic member  133  presses the donor film  120  to the substrate  110  in the non-deposition area NDA. 
         [0091]    The second elastic member  133  is disposed to overlap with the adhesive member AD. Accordingly, when the press unit  130  downwardly moves even after all the press surface of the first elastic member contacts the donor film, a force generated by the second elastic member  133  is applied to the adhesive member AD disposed under the donor film  120 . Thus, the adhesive member AD is pressed to the substrate  110  in the non-deposition area NDA and attached to the substrate  110 . As a result, the donor film  120  and the substrate  110  are attached to each other and fixed to each other in the non-deposition area NDA by the adhesive member AD. 
         [0092]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , when the donor film  120  is pressed to and fixed to the substrate  110 , the press unit  130  upwardly moves by the press unit transfer unit  50 . The first transfer unit  33  downwardly moves the first film supporter  31  and the second transfer unit  34  downwardly moves the second film supporter  32 . 
         [0093]    Consequently, the donor film  120  may be fixed to the substrate  110  according to the laser induced thermal imaging apparatus  100  and the laser induced thermal imaging method using the apparatus  100 . 
         [0094]    Although not shown in figures, the first supporter SP 1  shown in  FIG. 2  may include recesses formed on an upper portion thereof and extended in a predetermined direction. The first robot arm R_A 1  of the first transfer robot ROB 1  moves to the first chamber  10 _ 1  and is inserted into the recesses of the first supporter SP 1 . The first robot arm R_A 1  inserted into the recesses of the first supporter SP 1  upwardly moves to load the substrate  110  thereon. The first transfer robot ROB 1  transfers the substrate  110  to the second chamber  10 _ 2  via the first transfer chamber TFC 1 . 
         [0095]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view showing the donor film compressed onto the substrate. 
         [0096]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , the transfer layer  123  of the donor film  120  is disposed to face the substrate  110 . Thus, the transfer layer  123  of the donor film  120  is disposed over the pixel defined layer PDL of the substrate  110  to make contact with the pixel defined layer PDL of the substrate  110 . The transfer layer  123  of the donor film  120  is disposed to be spaced apart from the first electrode E 1  at a predetermined distance in an area corresponding to the first opening OP 1  of the pixel defined layer PDL. 
         [0097]      FIG. 12  is a view showing an inner configuration of the second chamber shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 13  is a view showing a transfer process performed in the second chamber shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0098]    Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the substrate  110  is disposed on a second supporter SP 2  disposed at a lower portion of the second chamber  10 _ 2 . The substrate  110  is loaded into the second chamber  10 _ 2  after the lamination process is performed on the substrate  110  in the first chamber  10 _ 1 . A laser beam irradiation unit  60  is disposed at an upper portion of the second chamber  10 _ 2  to generate a laser beam LB. 
         [0099]    The transfer process is performed in the second chamber  10 _ 2 . In detail, a mask M is disposed over the donor film  120  to be spaced apart from the donor film  120  at a predetermined distance. The mask M includes a plurality of second openings OP 2 . 
         [0100]    The pixel areas PA of the substrate  110  are disposed in the deposition area DA. For the convenience of explanation,  FIG. 13  shows only one pixel area PA. The second openings OP 2  of the mask M are disposed to correspond to the deposition area DA of the substrate  110 . In addition, the second openings OP 2  of the mask M correspond to the pixel areas PA of the substrate  110  and are disposed to overlap with the pixel areas PA. 
         [0101]    The laser beam irradiation unit  60  is disposed over the mask M and irradiates the laser beam LB to the donor film  120 . The laser beam LB is provided to transfer areas TA of the donor film  120  corresponding to the second openings OP 2  after passing through the second openings OP 2 . 
         [0102]    The transfer areas TA of the donor film  120  are areas to which the transfer layer  123  is transferred. For the convenience of explanation,  FIG. 13  shows only one transfer area TA, but the transfer areas TA corresponding to the second openings OP 2  may be defined in the donor film  120 . 
         [0103]    When the laser beam LB is irradiated, the light-heat conversion layer  122  is expanded to the substrate  110 , and thus the transfer layer  123  is expanded. Accordingly, the transfer layer  123  corresponding to the transfer areas TA, onto which the laser beam LB is irradiated, is separated from the donor film  120  and transferred to the substrate  110 . 
         [0104]    Although not shown in figures, the second supporter SP 2  shown in  FIG. 13  may include recesses formed on an upper portion thereof and extended in a predetermined direction. The second robot arm R_A 2  of the second transfer robot ROB 2  moves to the second chamber  10 _ 2  and is inserted into the recesses of the second supporter SP 2 . The second robot arm R_A 2  inserted into the recesses of the second supporter SP 2  upwardly moves to load the substrate  110  thereon. The second transfer robot ROB 2  transfers the substrate  110  to the third chamber  10 _ 3  via the second transfer chamber TFC 2 . 
         [0105]      FIG. 14  is a view showing an inner configuration of the third chamber shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 15  is a view showing the delamination process performed in the third chamber shown in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0106]    Referring to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the substrate  110  is disposed on a third supporter SP 3  disposed at a lower portion of the third chamber  10 _ 3  after the transfer process is performed on the substrate  110 . 
         [0107]    A delamination roller R is disposed on the transfer film  120 . The delamination roller R includes third protrusions P corresponding to the first holes H 1 . The delamination roller R is disposed at a side portion of the donor film  120  and the third protrusions P of the delamination roller R are inserted into the first holes H 1  of the third protrusions P. 
         [0108]    The delamination roller R rotates in a clockwise direction to delaminate the donor film  120  from the substrate  110 . The transfer layer  123  in the transfer areas TA to which the laser beam LB is irradiated is transferred to the first openings OP 1  of the substrate  100 . Accordingly, the transfer layer  123  remaining in areas of the donor film  120  except for the transfer areas TA is delaminated from the substrate  110 . 
         [0109]    Although not shown in figures, the third protrusions P of the delamination roller R may be inserted into the second holes H 2  formed through the other end portion of the donor film  120  instead of being inserted into the first holes H 1 . In this case, the delamination roller R rotates in a counter-clockwise direction to delaminate the donor film  120  from the substrate  110 . 
         [0110]    The transfer layer  123  transferred to the first openings OP 1  of the substrate  110  may be an organic light emitting layer OEL. 
         [0111]    The laser induced thermal imaging apparatus  100  may sequentially press the donor film  120  to the substrate  110  using the first and second elastic members  132  and  133  during the lamination process. In addition, the laser induced thermal imaging apparatus  100  may fix the donor film  120  and the substrate  110  to each other using the adhesive member AD during the lamination process. 
         [0112]    Consequently, the donor film  120  may be sequentially compressed to and fixed to the substrate  110  according to the laser induced thermal imaging apparatus  100  and the laser induced thermal imaging method using the apparatus  100 . 
         [0113]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view showing an organic light emitting device manufactured after the laser induced thermal imaging process is performed. 
         [0114]    Referring to  FIG. 16 , a second electrode E 2  is disposed on the pixel defined layer PDL and the organic light emitting layer OEL. The second electrode E 2  may be a common electrode or a cathode electrode. 
         [0115]    The first electrode E 1  may serve as a pixel electrode or an anode electrode. The first electrode E 1  may be a transmission type electrode or a reflection type electrode. When the first electrode E 1  is the transmission type electrode, the first electrode E 1  may include indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), or zinc oxide (ZnO). When the first electrode E 1  is the reflection type electrode, the first electrode E 1  may include a reflection layer formed of Ag, Mg, Al, Pt, Pd, Au, Ni, Nd, Ir, Cr, or a compound thereof and a transparent conductive layer formed of ITO, IZO, or ZnO. 
         [0116]    The organic light emitting layer OEL includes an organic material that generates a light with a red color, a green color, or a blue color. Accordingly, the organic light emitting layer OEL generates a red light, a green light, or a blue light, but it should not be limited thereto or thereby. That is, the organic light emitting layer OEL may generate a white light obtained by combining organic materials generating the red, green, and blue lights. 
         [0117]    The organic light emitting layer OEL may be formed of a low molecular organic material or a high molecular organic material. Although not shown in figures, the organic light emitting layer OEL has a multi-layer structure of a hole injection layer, a hole transporting layer, an emission layer, an electron transporting layer, and an electron injection layer. As an example, the hole injection layer is disposed on the first electrode E 1 , and the hole transporting layer, the emission layer, the electron transporting layer, and the electron injection layer are sequentially stacked over the hole injection layer. 
         [0118]    The second electrode E 2  may be a transmission type electrode or a reflection type electrode. When the second electrode E 2  is the transmission type electrode, the second electrode E 2  includes a layer formed by depositing Li, Ca, LiF/Ca, LiF/Al, Al, Mg, or a compound thereof and an auxiliary electrode formed on the layer using a transparent conductive material, e.g., ITO, IZO, or ZnO. When the second electrode E 2  is the reflection type electrode, the second electrode E 2  is formed of Ag, Mg, Al, Pt, Pd, Au, Ni, Nd, Ir, Cr, Li, Ca, LiF/Ca, LiF/Al, or a compound thereof. 
         [0119]    When an organic light emitting display device is a front surface light emitting type, the reflection type electrode is used as the first electrode E 1  and the transmission type electrode is used as the second electrode E 2 . When the organic light emitting display device is a rear surface light emitting type, the first electrode E 1  is the transmission type electrode and the second electrode E 2  is the reflection type electrode. 
         [0120]    The organic light emitting device OLED is formed by the first electrode E 1 , the organic light emitting layer OEL, and the second electrode E 2  in the pixel area PA. That is, the organic light emitting device OLED is formed in the pixel area PA and includes the first electrode E 1 , the organic light emitting layer OEL, and the second electrode E 2  in the pixel area PA. 
         [0121]    The first electrode E 1  may be a hole injection electrode, i.e., a positive electrode, and the second electrode E 2  may be an electron injection electrode, i.e., a negative electrode, but they should not be limited thereto or thereby. That is, the first electrode E 1  may be the negative electrode and the second electrode E 2  may be the positive electrode according to the driving method of the organic light emitting diode display. 
         [0122]    A driving voltage is applied to the first electrode E 1  and a voltage having an opposite polarity to that of the driving voltage is applied to the second electrode E 2  by the thin film transistors TFT, and thus the organic light emitting layer OEL emits the light. In this case, holes and electrons injected into the organic light emitting layer are recombined in the organic light emitting layer to generate excitons, and the organic light emitting device OLED emits the light by the excitons that return to a ground state from an excited state. Accordingly, the organic light emitting device OLED emits the red light, the green light, and the blue light according to a current flow, thereby displaying predetermined image information. 
         [0123]    Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is understood that the present invention should not be limited to these exemplary embodiments but various changes and modifications can be made by one ordinary skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1