Patent Description:
With the development of multimedia, display devices have become increasingly important. Accordingly, various types of display devices such as an organic light emitting display (OLED) and a liquid crystal display (LCD) have been used.

A display device for displaying an image includes a display panel such as an organic light emitting display panel or a liquid crystal display panel. The light emitting display panel may include a light emitting element. For example, in the case of a light emitting diode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) using an organic material as a fluorescent material, an inorganic light emitting diode using an inorganic material as a fluorescent material and the like may be mentioned as examples.

The organic light emitting diode (OLED) using an organic material as a fluorescent material of a light emitting element has advantages in that a manufacturing process is simple and a display device can have flexibility. However, it is known that an organic material is vulnerable to a high-temperature operating environment and the blue light efficiency is relatively low. On the other hand, the inorganic light emitting diode using an inorganic semiconductor as a fluorescent material has advantages in that it has durability even in a high-temperature environment and the blue light efficiency is high compared to the organic light emitting diode. In addition, a transfer method using a dielectrophoresis (DEP) method has been developed in a manufacturing process which has been mentioned as a drawback of a conventional inorganic light emitting diode. Therefore, continuous studies have been conducted on inorganic light emitting diodes having superior durability and efficiency compared with organic light emitting diodes.

Meanwhile, the display device includes a plurality of pixels, and each pixel includes a plurality of light emitting elements, for example, inorganic light emitting diodes. The light emitting elements may be aligned in each pixel and fixed by an insulating layer including an insulating material. The insulating material included in the insulating layer may be an inorganic material, and a crystal defect (seam) may be formed around the light emitting element in the inorganic insulating layer. In addition, a gap may be formed because an inorganic material is not formed up to a space between the light emitting element and a base layer. The defect in the crystal interface or the gap formed below the light emitting element may cause damage to the light emitting element or poor contact with an electrode in an additional process.

<CIT> discloses a light emitting device, including: a substrate; a light emitting element on the substrate, the light emitting element having a first end portion and a second end portion arranged in a longitudinal direction; one or more partition walls disposed on the substrate, the one or more partition walls being spaced apart from the light emitting element; a first reflection electrode adjacent the first end portion of the light emitting element; a second reflection electrode adjacent the second end portion of the light emitting element; a first contact electrode connected to the first reflection electrode and the first end portion of the light emitting element; an insulating layer on the first contact electrode, the insulating layer having an opening exposing the second end portion of the light emitting element and the second reflection electrode to the outside; and a second contact electrode on the insulating layer.

In view of the above, one aspect of the present invention provides a display device in which an interface defect of inorganic crystals or a gap formed below a light emitting element is filled with an organic material by forming an organic insulating layer on an inorganic insulating layer.

Another aspect of the present invention is to prevent damage to a light emitting element or poor contact with an electrode, which may occur during a manufacturing process of a display device, by eliminating a defect and a gap in an insulating layer covering the light emitting element.

It should be noted that aspects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned aspects, and other unmentioned aspects of the present invention will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following descriptions.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display device as set out in claim <NUM>. Optional features are set out in dependent claims <NUM> to <NUM>. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a display device as set out in claim <NUM>. Optional features are set out in claims <NUM> and <NUM>.

The details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and the drawings.

According to embodiments of the present invention, by stacking an organic insulating layer on an insulating layer for fixing a light emitting element, it is possible to fill an organic material in a seam of inorganic crystals of the insulating layer and a gap formed below the light emitting element. Accordingly, in a patterning process performed after aligning light emitting elements, it is possible to prevent the gap formed below the light emitting element from becoming large, and to prevent a problem of disconnection of a contact electrode material and a short-circuit failure.

Advantageous effects according to the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and various other advantageous effects are included herein.

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will filly convey the scope of the invention as defined by the claims to those skilled in the art.

It will also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being "on" another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layer or substrate, or intervening layers may also be present. The same reference numbers indicate the same components throughout the specification.

It will be understood that, although the terms "first," "second," etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For instance, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the present invention. Similarly, the second element could also be termed the first element.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a plan view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' of <FIG>.

A display device <NUM> may include a plurality of pixels PX. The plurality of pixels PX may be disposed in a display unit of the display device <NUM>, and each of the plurality of pixels PX may display light of a specific wavelength band on the outside of the display device <NUM>. Although three pixels PX are illustrated in <FIG> by way of example, the display device <NUM> may include a larger number of pixels.

The plurality of pixels PX may include one or more light emitting elements <NUM> that emit light of a specific wavelength band. In one embodiment, the pixels PX that display different colors may include the light emitting elements <NUM> that emit different colors. For example, a first pixel PX1 for displaying red light may include a light emitting element <NUM> for emitting red light, and a second pixel PX2 for displaying green may include a light emitting element <NUM> for emitting green light, and a third pixel PX3 for displaying blue may include a light emitting element <NUM> for emitting blue light. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some cases, the pixels displaying different colors may include the light emitting elements <NUM> emitting the same color (e.g., blue), and a wavelength conversion layer or a color filter may be disposed on a light emitting path to generate the desired color of each pixel.

The display device <NUM> includes a pixel electrode <NUM> and a common electrode <NUM>. The pixel electrode <NUM> may be disposed for each pixel PX and the common electrode <NUM> may be disposed along the plurality of pixels PX. One of the common electrode <NUM> and the pixel electrode <NUM> may be an anode electrode and the other one may be a cathode electrode.

In one pixel PX, the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> include opposing portions spaced apart from each other. The light emitting element <NUM> is disposed between the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> facing each other. One end of the light emitting element <NUM> may be electrically connected to the pixel electrode <NUM> and the other end of the light emitting element <NUM> may be connected to the common electrode <NUM>.

At least a part of the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> may be utilized to form an electric field in the pixel PX in order to align the light emitting elements <NUM>. In an element, when the light emitting elements <NUM> that emit different colors to the plurality of pixels PX are aligned, it is necessary to accurately align a different light emitting element <NUM> for each of the pixels PX. In order to align the light emitting elements <NUM> using a dielectrophoretic method, a solution containing the light emitting elements <NUM> is applied to the display device <NUM>, and an AC power is applied thereto to form a capacitance due to an electric field, so that the light emitting elements <NUM> can be aligned by applying a dielectrophoretic force thereto.

The common electrode <NUM> may include a stem portion extending in a first direction and at least one branch portion branched from the stem portion. The stem portion of the common electrode <NUM> may extend to another adjacent pixel in the first direction. The pixel electrode <NUM> may include a stem portion extending in the first direction and at least one branch portion branched from the stem portion. The stem portion of the pixel electrode <NUM> may be disposed only in the corresponding pixel PX and the stem portions of the pixel electrodes <NUM> of adjacent pixels in the first direction may be electrically isolated.

The stem portion of the common electrode <NUM> and the stem portion of the pixel electrode <NUM> are spaced apart from each other. The stem portion of the common electrode <NUM> may be located at one side in the second direction from the center of the pixel and the stem portion of the pixel electrode <NUM> may be located at the other side in the second direction from the center of the pixel. The branch portion of the common electrode <NUM> and the branch portion of the pixel electrode <NUM> may be arranged to face each other in a space between the stem portion of the common electrode <NUM> and the stem portion of the pixel electrode <NUM>. In an embodiment, the branch portion of the common electrode <NUM> may extend in the second direction toward the stem portion of the pixel electrode <NUM>, and may terminate in a state where it is separated from the stem portion of the pixel electrode <NUM> (i.e., the extended end portion of the common electrode <NUM> is separated from the stem portion of the pixel electrode <NUM>). The branch portion of the pixel electrode <NUM> may extend in the second direction toward the stem portion of the common electrode <NUM> and may terminate in a state where it is separated from the stem portion of the common electrode <NUM>.

Each of the branch portion of the common electrode <NUM> and the branch portion of the pixel electrode <NUM> may include one or more branch portions. When each of the branch portion of the common electrode <NUM> and the branch portion of the pixel electrode <NUM> has a plurality of branch portions, the branch portions may be alternately arranged along the first direction. In an embodiment of a structure in which their branch portions face each other, the same number of branch portions may be provided or the number of branch portions of either one may be one more than the number of branch portions of the other one. Although it is illustrated in the drawing that one stem portion of the common electrode <NUM> is arranged in one pixel, and two stem portions of the pixel electrode <NUM> are arranged in one pixel, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. If the branch portion of the pixel electrode <NUM> includes only one branch portion, the stem portion of the pixel electrode <NUM> may be omitted.

Although not shown in the drawing, one end of the stem portion of each of the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> may be connected to a signal applying pad (not shown). An electric signal applied from the signal applying pad may be transmitted to each branch portion and may be transmitted to the light emitting element <NUM> disposed between the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM>.

In addition, a pixel electrode contact hole CNTD and a common electrode contact hole CNTS may be disposed in the stem portion of each of the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM>, respectively. The pixel electrode contact hole CNTD and the common electrode contact hole CNTS may be electrically connected to a first thin film transistor <NUM> and a power supply wiring <NUM> to be described later, respectively.

In <FIG>, it is illustrated that the pixel electrode contact hole CNTD and the common electrode contact hole CNTS are disposed in the stem portions of the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM>, respectively. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Although not shown in the drawing, the pixel electrode contact hole CNTD and the common electrode contact hole CNTS may be disposed on the branch portions of the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM>, respectively. That is, the pixel electrode contact hole CNTD and the common electrode contact hole CNTS may be disposed adjacent to the light emitting element <NUM> disposed between the branch portions of the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM>, and may be disposed within a pixel region where the light emitting elements <NUM> are disposed. Accordingly, different electric signals may be applied to the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> of each pixel PX through the pixel electrode contact hole CNTD and the common electrode contact hole CNTS.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, the pixel electrode contact hole CNTD and the common electrode contact hole CNTS may be provided for each pixel PX. In some embodiments, the common electrode <NUM> may be electrically connected to the power supply wiring <NUM> in one common electrode contact hole CNTS as the stem portion of the common electrode <NUM> extends to the neighboring pixel PX. Unlike the pixel electrode <NUM>, since the common electrode <NUM> includes one stem portion for each of the plurality of pixels PX, the same electric signal may be applied thereto. In this case, one common electrode contact hole CNTS may be disposed in the common electrode <NUM>. The common electrode contact hole CNTS may be provided in the pixel region in which the light emitting elements <NUM> are disposed. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and it may be disposed in an outer portion of the panel on which the pixels PX are disposed. In other words, the common electrode <NUM> may receive the same electric signal through one common electrode contact hole CNTS disposed in the outer portion of the display device <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the cross-sectional structure of the display device will be described in detail.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of one pixel of a display device according to one embodiment. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the display device <NUM> may include a substrate <NUM>, thin film transistors <NUM> and <NUM> disposed on the substrate <NUM>, the electrodes <NUM> and <NUM> disposed on the thin film transistors <NUM> and <NUM>, and the light emitting elements <NUM>. The thin film transistors may include a first thin film transistor <NUM> which is a driving transistor and a second thin film transistor <NUM> which is a switching transistor. Each thin film transistor may include an active layer, a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode. The pixel electrode <NUM> may be electrically connected to the drain electrode of the first driving transistor <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the substrate <NUM> may be an insulating substrate. The substrate <NUM> may be made of an insulating material such as glass, quartz or polymer resin. Examples of the polymeric material may include polyethersulphone (PES), polyacrylate (PA), polyarylate (PAR), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terepthalate (PET), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyallylate, polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC), cellulose triacetate (CAT), cellulose acetate propionate (CAP), or a combination thereof. The substrate <NUM> may be a rigid substrate, or may be a flexible substrate capable of being bent, folded or rolled.

A buffer layer <NUM> may be disposed on the substrate <NUM>. The buffer layer <NUM> can prevent diffusion of impurity ions, prevent penetration of moisture or outside air and perform surface planarization. The buffer layer <NUM> may include silicon nitride, silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, or the like.

A semiconductor layer is disposed on the buffer layer <NUM>. The semiconductor layer may include a first active layer <NUM> of the first thin film transistor <NUM>, a second active layer <NUM> of the second thin film transistor <NUM>, and an auxiliary layer <NUM>. The semiconductor layer may include polycrystalline silicon, monocrystalline silicon, an oxide semiconductor, or the like.

A first insulating layer <NUM> is disposed on the semiconductor layer. The first insulating layer <NUM> covers the semiconductor layer. The first insulating layer <NUM> may function as a gate insulating film of the thin film transistor. The first insulating layer <NUM> may include silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, aluminum oxide, tantalum oxide, hafnium oxide, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, and the like, which may be used alone or in combination with each other.

A first conductive layer is disposed on the first insulating layer <NUM>. The first conductive layer may include a first gate electrode <NUM> disposed on the first active layer <NUM> of the first thin film transistor <NUM>, a second gate electrode <NUM> disposed on the second active layer <NUM> of the second thin film transistor <NUM>, and the power supply wiring <NUM> disposed on the auxiliary layer <NUM>, with the first insulating layer <NUM> interposed therebetween. The first conductive layer may include at least one metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), calcium (Ca), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), tungsten (W) and copper (Cu). The first conductive layer may be a single film or a multilayer film.

A second insulating layer <NUM> is disposed on the first conductive layer. The second insulating layer <NUM> may be an interlayer insulating film. The second insulating layer <NUM> may be formed of an inorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, hafnium oxide, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, tantalum oxide and zinc oxide.

A second conductive layer is disposed on the second insulating layer <NUM>. The second conductive layer includes a capacitor electrode <NUM> disposed on the first gate electrode <NUM> with the second insulating layer interposed therebetween. The capacitor electrode <NUM> and the first gate electrode <NUM> may form a holding capacitor.

In the same manner as the above-described first conductive layer, the second conductive layer may include at least one metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), calcium (Ca), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), tungsten (W) and copper (Cu).

A third insulating layer <NUM> is disposed on the second conductive layer. The third insulating layer <NUM> may be an interlayer insulating film. Furthermore, the third insulating layer <NUM> may perform surface planarization. The third insulating layer <NUM> may include an organic insulating material such as acrylic resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, polyamide resin, polyimide resin, unsaturated polyester resin, polyphenylene resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin, and/or benzocyclobutene (BCB).

A third conductive layer is disposed on the third insulating layer <NUM>. The third conductive layer includes a first drain electrode <NUM> and a first source electrode <NUM> of the first thin film transistor <NUM>, a second drain electrode <NUM> and a second source electrode <NUM> of the second thin film transistor <NUM>, and a power supply electrode <NUM> disposed on the power supply wiring <NUM>.

The first source electrode <NUM> and the first drain electrode <NUM> may be electrically connected to the first active layer <NUM> via a first contact hole <NUM> passing through the third insulating layer <NUM> and the second insulating layer <NUM>, respectively. The second source electrode <NUM> and the second drain electrode <NUM> are electrically connected to the second active layer <NUM> via a second contact hole <NUM> passing through the third insulating layer <NUM> and the second insulating layer <NUM>, respectively. The power supply electrode <NUM> may be electrically connected to the power supply wiring <NUM> via a third contact hole <NUM> passing through the third insulating layer <NUM> and the second insulating layer <NUM>.

The third conductive layer may include at least one metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), calcium (Ca), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), tungsten (W) and copper (Cu). The third conductive layer may be a single film or a multilayer film. For example, the third conductive layer may have a stacked structure of Ti/AI/Ti, Mo/AI/Mo, Mo/AIGe/Mo, Ti/Cu, or the like.

A fourth insulating layer <NUM> is disposed on the third conductive layer. The fourth insulating layer <NUM> may include an organic insulating material such as acrylic resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, polyamide resin, polyimide resin, unsaturated polyester resin, polyphenylene resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin, and/or benzocyclobutene (BCB). The surface of the fourth insulating layer <NUM> may be flat.

A partition <NUM> may be disposed on the fourth insulating layer <NUM>. At least a part of the pixel electrode <NUM> and at least a part of the common electrode <NUM> may be disposed on the partition <NUM>. For example, the partition <NUM> may include at least one first partition <NUM> on which the branch portion of the pixel electrode <NUM> is disposed, and at least one second partition <NUM> on which the branch portion of the common electrode <NUM> is disposed. Although one first partition <NUM> and one second partition <NUM> are illustrated in <FIG>, partitions corresponding to the number of the branch portions may be disposed in one pixel. For example, in the case of the arrangement structure of <FIG>, the number of the first partitions <NUM> disposed in one pixel may be two, and the number of the second partitions <NUM> disposed in one pixel may be one.

The pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> may be disposed on the first partition <NUM> and the second partition <NUM>, respectively.

A first reflective layer <NUM> and a second reflective layer <NUM> may be disposed on the partition <NUM>.

The first reflective layer <NUM> covers the first partition <NUM> and is electrically connected to the first drain electrode <NUM> of the first thin film transistor <NUM> via a fourth contact hole 319_1 passing through the fourth insulating layer <NUM>. The second reflective layer <NUM> is spaced apart from the first reflective layer <NUM>. The second reflective layer <NUM> covers the second partition <NUM> and is electrically connected to the power supply electrode <NUM> via a fifth contact hole 319_2 passing through the fourth insulating layer <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the first reflective layer <NUM> and the second reflective layer <NUM> may transmit light toward the outside of the display device <NUM> by reflecting light emitted from the light emitting elements <NUM>. The light emitted from the light emitting elements <NUM> is emitted in all directions without directivity. The light directed toward the first reflective layer <NUM> and the second reflective layer <NUM> may be reflected to the outside of the display device <NUM>, for example, to the upper portion of the partition <NUM>. Accordingly, light emitted from the light emitting elements <NUM> can be concentrated in one direction to increase light efficiency. The first reflective layer <NUM> and the second reflective layer <NUM> may include a material having high reflectivity to reflect light emitted from the light emitting elements <NUM>. For example, the first reflective layer <NUM> and the second reflective layer <NUM> may include a material such as silver (Ag), copper (Cu) and the like, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

A first electrode layer <NUM> and a second electrode layer <NUM> may be disposed on the first reflective layer <NUM> and the second reflective layer <NUM>, respectively.

The first electrode layer <NUM> is disposed directly above the first reflective layer <NUM>. The first electrode layer <NUM> may have substantially the same pattern as the first reflective layer <NUM>.

The second electrode layer <NUM> is disposed directly above the second reflective layer <NUM>. The second electrode layer <NUM> is disposed to be separated from the first electrode layer <NUM>. The second electrode layer <NUM> may have substantially the same pattern as the second reflective layer <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the first electrode layer <NUM> and the second electrode layer <NUM> may cover the first and second reflective layers <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, disposed therebelow. In an embodiment, the first electrode layer <NUM> and the second electrode layer <NUM> may formed to be larger than the first reflective layer <NUM> and the second reflective layer <NUM> to cover the side surfaces of end portions of the first electrode layer <NUM> and the second electrode layer <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The first electrode layer <NUM> and the second electrode layer <NUM> may transmit electrical signals transmitted to the first reflective layer <NUM> and the second reflective layer <NUM> to contact electrodes which will be described later. The electrode layers <NUM> and <NUM> may include a transparent conductive material. For example, the first electrode layer <NUM> and the second electrode layer <NUM> may include a material such as Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), Indium Zinc Oxide (IZO) and/or Indium Tin-Zinc Oxide (ITZO), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The first reflective layer <NUM> and the first electrode layer <NUM>, which are disposed on the first partition <NUM>, form the pixel electrode <NUM>. The pixel electrode <NUM> may protrude to a region extending from both ends of the first partition <NUM>. Accordingly, the pixel electrode <NUM> may contact the fourth insulating layer <NUM> in the protruding region. Further, the second reflective layer <NUM> and the second electrode layer <NUM>, which are disposed on the second partition <NUM>, form the common electrode <NUM>. The common electrode <NUM> may protrude to a region extending from both ends of the second partition <NUM>. Accordingly, the common electrode <NUM> may contact the fourth insulating layer <NUM> in the protruding region.

In an embodiment, the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> may be disposed to cover the entire area of the first partition <NUM> and the second partition <NUM>, respectively. However, the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> are spaced apart from each other. In a separation space where the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> are separated from each other, a fifth insulating layer <NUM> is disposed and the light emitting element <NUM> is disposed thereon as will be described later.

Since the first reflective layer <NUM> can receive a driving voltage from the first thin film transistor <NUM> and the second reflective layer <NUM> can receive a power supply voltage from the power supply wiring <NUM>, the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> receive a driving voltage and a power supply voltage, respectively. As will be described later, a first contact electrode <NUM> and a second contact electrode <NUM> disposed on the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM>, respectively, may transmit the driving voltage and the power supply voltage to the light emitting element <NUM> and light may be emitted while a predetermined current flows through the light emitting element <NUM>.

A fifth insulating layer <NUM> is disposed on a portion of the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM>. The fifth insulating layer <NUM> is disposed in a space between the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM>. The fifth insulating layer <NUM> may be formed in an insular shape or a linear shape along a space between the branch portions of the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> in plan view.

The light emitting element <NUM> is disposed on the fifth insulating layer <NUM>. The fifth insulating layer <NUM> may be disposed between the light emitting element <NUM> and the fourth insulating layer <NUM>. The lower surface of the fifth insulating layer <NUM> may be in contact with the fourth insulating layer <NUM> and the light emitting elements <NUM> is disposed on the upper surface of the fifth insulating layer <NUM>. The fifth insulating layer <NUM> may be in contact with the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> at both side surfaces to electrically isolate the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> from each other.

The fifth insulating layer <NUM> overlaps a portion of the common electrode <NUM> and the pixel electrode <NUM>, for example, a portion of a region protruding in a direction in which the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> face each other. For example, end portions of both side surfaces of the fifth insulating layer <NUM> may cover the upper surface of the region protruding in the direction in which the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> face each other. The fifth insulating layer <NUM> can protect a region overlapping the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> and electrically isolate them from each other. In addition, it is possible to prevent a first semiconductor layer <NUM> and a second semiconductor layer <NUM> of the light emitting element <NUM> from directly contacting other substrates, thereby preventing the light emitting element <NUM> from being damaged.

<FIG> illustrates that the surfaces of the fifth insulating layer <NUM> in contact with the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> are aligned with both side surfaces of the light emitting element <NUM>, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, in an embodiment, the length of the fifth insulating layer <NUM> may be longer than the length of the light emitting element <NUM>, and the fifth insulating layer <NUM> may protrude from both side surfaces of the light emitting element <NUM>. Accordingly, the side surfaces of the fifth insulating layer <NUM> and the light emitting element <NUM> may be stacked stepwise.

At least one light emitting element <NUM> is disposed between the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an embodiment where the light emitting element <NUM> that emits light of the same color is disposed for each pixel PX. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the light emitting elements <NUM> emitting light of different colors may be disposed together in one pixel PX as described above.

The pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> may be separated from each other by a predetermined distance, and the separation distance may be equal to or smaller than the length of the light emitting element <NUM>. Accordingly, the electrical contact between the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> and the light emitting element <NUM> can be achieved smoothly.

In an embodiment, at least a part of the plurality of light emitting elements <NUM> is electrically connected to the pixel electrode <NUM> at one end and may be electrically connected to the common electrode <NUM> at the other end. The contact electrodes <NUM> and <NUM>, which will be described later, are disposed respectively on the common electrode <NUM> and the pixel electrode <NUM> connected to the light emitting element <NUM>. The contact electrodes <NUM> and <NUM> are in contact with the light emitting element <NUM> such that the light emitting element <NUM> is electrically connected to each of the electrodes <NUM> and <NUM>. In such an embodiment, the contact electrodes <NUM> and <NUM> contact at least side portions of the light emitting element <NUM> at both ends. Accordingly, the light emitting element <NUM> may emit light of a specific color by receiving an electric signal.

In some embodiments, one end of the light emitting element <NUM> in contact with the pixel electrode <NUM> may be an n-type doped conductive material layer, and the other end of the light emitting element <NUM> in contact with the common electrode <NUM> may be a p-type doped conductive material layer. The other end of the light emitting element <NUM> in contact with the common electrode <NUM> may be an electrode material layer. Accordingly, the light emitting element <NUM> may have a structure in which an n-type conductive material layer, an active material layer and a p-type conductive material layer (or an electrode material layer) are sequentially stacked (in a horizontal direction) from one end in contact with the pixel electrode <NUM> to the other end in contact with the common electrode <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The light emitting element <NUM> may be disposed between the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> which are spaced apart from each other. The light emitting element <NUM> may emit light of a different color depending on a material of the active material layer. The light emitting elements <NUM> of different types may be aligned in the respective pixels PX to emit light of different colors. For example, the plurality of pixels PX may emit blue, green and red light, respectively, by emitting light in a blue, green and red wavelength band. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some cases, the plurality of light emitting elements <NUM> may emit light of the same color wavelength band so that the plurality of pixels PX can emit light of the same color (e.g., blue). In addition, light emitting elements <NUM> emitting light of different color wavelength bands may be disposed in one pixel PX to emit light of another color (e.g., white).

The light emitting element <NUM> may be a light emitting diode. The light emitting element <NUM> may be a nanostructure whose size is generally in a nanometer scale. The light emitting element <NUM> may be an inorganic light emitting diode made of an inorganic material. When the light emitting element <NUM> is an inorganic light emitting diode, if a light emitting material having an inorganic crystal structure is disposed between two opposing electrodes and an electric field is formed in a specific direction in the light emitting material, an inorganic light emitting diode may be aligned between the two electrodes at which a specific polarity is formed. A detailed description thereof will be given later.

The sixth insulating layer <NUM> is disposed on the light emitting element <NUM> to protect the light emitting element <NUM> and fix the light emitting element <NUM> between the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM>. Although not shown in <FIG>, the sixth insulating layer <NUM> may be disposed on the outer surface of the light emitting element <NUM> to fix the light emitting element <NUM>. The sixth insulating layer <NUM> is disposed on a portion of the outer surface of the light emitting element <NUM> to expose both side surfaces of the light emitting element <NUM>. In an embodiment, the length of the sixth insulating layer <NUM> is shorter than that of the light emitting element <NUM>, so that the sixth insulating layer <NUM> can be recessed inwardly from both side surfaces of the light emitting device <NUM>. Accordingly, the side surfaces of the fifth insulating layer <NUM>, the light emitting element <NUM> and the sixth insulating layer <NUM> may be stacked in a stepwise manner. In this embodiment, the first contact electrode <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM> can be smoothly brought into contact with the side surface of the light emitting element <NUM> by disposing the sixth insulating layer <NUM> similarly to the fifth insulating layer <NUM>.

However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the length of the sixth insulating layer <NUM> may be equal to the length of the light emitting element <NUM> such that both side portions of the sixth insulating layer <NUM> to the light emitting element <NUM> can be aligned. In addition, when the sixth insulating layer <NUM> is patterned simultaneously with the fifth insulating layer <NUM>, the sixth insulating layer <NUM> may be aligned with the light emitting element <NUM> and the fifth insulating layer <NUM> at both side portions.

The sixth insulating layer <NUM> includes an insulating inorganic material, as will be described later. Accordingly, the sixth insulating layer <NUM> formed through a mask process may have a defect (e.g., a seam) of inorganic crystals formed on the upper surface, the outer peripheral surface of the light emitting element <NUM>, and a region adjacent to the light emitting element <NUM>. When the seam is formed in the region where the light emitting element <NUM> and the inorganic layer are in contact with each other, in a subsequent mask process, the inorganic layer may be excessively etched in the seam or, in some cases, the contact materials may be separated. In addition, a gap G may be formed between the light emitting element <NUM> and the fourth insulating layer <NUM>.

In addition, when the inorganic layer is deposited, the sixth insulating layer <NUM> may be formed non-uniformly on the light emitting element <NUM> because the step-coverage is poor. Even when the first contact electrode <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM> are formed, the contact electrode material may be broken and the light emitting element <NUM> may be electrically disconnected when the step-coverage is poor.

Accordingly, in the display device <NUM> according to anembodiment, a seventh insulating layer <NUM> is disposed on the sixth insulating layer <NUM>. Although it is illustrated in <FIG> that the end surface of the seventh insulating layer <NUM> is disposed on the end surface of the sixth insulating layer <NUM>, the seventh insulating layer <NUM> may be formed to cover the outer surface of the sixth insulating layer <NUM>. However, the seventh insulating layer <NUM> may be disposed to be recessed from one side surface of the sixth insulating layer <NUM> so as to expose at least a part of the upper surface of the sixth insulating layer <NUM>. Accordingly, the first contact electrode <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM> can be in contact with the light emitting element <NUM>.

The seventh insulating layer <NUM> may fill a seam formed in an inorganic layer such as the sixth insulating layer <NUM> or a gap formed below the light emitting element <NUM>. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the poor step-coverage of the sixth insulating layer <NUM> and to prevent a problem of disconnection of the contact electrode material. In addition, the sixth insulating layer <NUM> may be planarized by the seventh insulating layer <NUM>. When the upper surface of the sixth insulating layer <NUM> is planarized by the seventh insulating layer <NUM>, a process of forming the first contact electrode <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM> may be performed relatively smoothly. A detailed description thereof will be given later.

The seventh insulating layer <NUM> may be disposed on the upper surface of the sixth insulating layer <NUM> and at least a part of the seventh insulating layer <NUM> may be disposed to cover one side surface of the sixth insulating layer <NUM> in cross section. That is, one side surface of the sixth insulating layer <NUM> is protected by being in contact with the seventh insulating layer <NUM>, and the other side surface of the sixth insulating layer <NUM> may be exposed to be in contact with other members such as the second contact electrode <NUM>.

Further, at least a part of the seventh insulating layer <NUM> disposed to cover the sixth insulating layer <NUM> may be filled in a space that can be formed on the lower surface of the light emitting device <NUM>. The seventh insulating layer <NUM> may be depressed centrally in the longitudinal direction with respect to both sides. In an embodiment, the length of the seventh insulating layer <NUM> is shorter than that of the light emitting element <NUM>, so that the light emitting element <NUM> and the seventh insulating layer <NUM> can be stacked in a stepwise manner.

However, the structure of the seventh insulating layer <NUM> and the sixth insulating layer <NUM> is not limited to the structure shown in <FIG>. According to some embodiments, both side surfaces of the seventh insulating layer <NUM> and the sixth insulating layer <NUM> may be in parallel with each other and have the same shape. A more detailed description thereof will be given later with reference to other embodiments.

The seventh insulating layer <NUM> includes thereon the first contact electrode <NUM>, which is disposed on the pixel electrode <NUM> and overlaps at least a part of the seventh insulating layer <NUM>, and the second contact electrode <NUM>, which is disposed on the common electrode <NUM>, separated from the first contact electrode <NUM> and in contact with at least a part of the seventh insulating layer <NUM>.

The first contact electrode <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM> may be disposed on the upper surfaces of the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM>, respectively. In an embodiment, the first contact electrode <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM> may be in contact with the first electrode layer <NUM> and the second electrode layer <NUM> on the upper surfaces of the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM>, respectively. The first contact electrode <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM> may be in contact with the first semiconductor layer <NUM> and the second semiconductor layer <NUM> of the light emitting element <NUM>, respectively. Accordingly, the first contact electrode <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM> may transmit an electric signal applied to the first electrode layer <NUM> and the second electrode layer <NUM> to the light emitting element <NUM>.

The first contact electrode <NUM> is disposed on the pixel electrode <NUM> to cover the pixel electrode <NUM> and the lower surface of the first contact electrode <NUM> may partially contact the light emitting element <NUM> and the seventh insulating layer <NUM>. One end of the first contact electrode <NUM>, in the direction in which the common electrode <NUM> is disposed, is disposed on the seventh insulating layer <NUM>. The second contact electrode <NUM> is disposed on the common electrode <NUM> to cover the common electrode <NUM> and the lower surface of the second contact electrode <NUM> may be in partial contact with the light emitting element <NUM>, the seventh insulating layer <NUM>, and an eighth insulating layer <NUM>. One end of the second contact electrode <NUM>, in the direction in which the pixel electrode <NUM> is disposed, is disposed on the eighth insulating layer <NUM>.

The first contact electrode <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM> may be disposed to be separated from each other on the seventh insulating layer <NUM> or the eighth insulating layer <NUM>. That is, the first contact electrode <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM> may be in contact with the light emitting element <NUM> and the seventh insulating layer <NUM> or the eighth insulating layer <NUM>, but may not be connected to each other because they are separated from each other on the seventh insulating layer <NUM>. Accordingly, the first contact electrode <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM> may receive different power supplies from the first thin film transistor <NUM> and the power supply wiring <NUM>. For example, the first contact electrode <NUM> may receive a driving voltage applied to the pixel electrode <NUM> from the first thin film transistor <NUM>, and the second contact electrode <NUM> may receive a power supply voltage applied to the common electrode <NUM> from the power supply wiring <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The first contact electrode <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM> include a conductive material. For example, the conductive material may include ITO, IZO, ITZO, aluminum (Al), or the like. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Further, the first contact electrode <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM> may include the same material as the first electrode layer <NUM> and the second electrode layer <NUM>. The first contact electrode <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM> may be disposed in substantially the same pattern on the first electrode layer <NUM> and the second electrode layer <NUM> so as to be contactable with the first electrode layer <NUM> and the second electrode layer <NUM>. The first contact electrode <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM> which are in contact with the first electrode layer <NUM> and the second electrode layer <NUM> may receive an electric signal applied to the first electrode layer <NUM> and the second electrode layer <NUM> and may transmit the electric signal to the light emitting element <NUM>.

The eighth insulating layer <NUM> may be disposed to cover the first contact electrode <NUM> and may be disposed so as not to overlap a partial region of the light emitting element <NUM> to allow the light emitting element <NUM> to be connected to the second contact electrode <NUM>. The eighth insulating layer <NUM> may partially contact the first contact electrode <NUM> and the seventh insulating layer <NUM> on the upper surface of the seventh insulating layer <NUM>. The eighth insulating layer <NUM> may be disposed to cover one end portion of the first contact electrode <NUM> on the upper surface of the seventh insulating layer <NUM>. Accordingly, the eighth insulating layer <NUM> can electrically isolate the first contact electrode <NUM> from the second contact electrode <NUM> while protecting the first contact electrode <NUM>.

One end portion of the eighth insulating layer <NUM> in the direction in which the common electrode <NUM> is disposed may be disposed to cover the seventh insulating layer <NUM> and may be aligned with one side surface of the sixth insulating layer <NUM>.

In some embodiments to be described later, the eighth insulating layer <NUM> may be omitted from the display device <NUM>. Accordingly, the first contact electrode <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM> may be disposed on substantially the same plane, and the first contact electrode <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM> may be electrically isolated from each other by a passivation layer <NUM> to be described later. A detailed description thereof will be given with reference to other embodiments.

The passivation layer <NUM> may be formed on the eighth insulating layer <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM> so as to protect the members disposed on the fourth insulating layer <NUM> from the external environment. When the first contact electrode <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM> are exposed, damage to the electrodes may cause a problem of disconnection of the contact electrode material, and therefore the electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> may be covered with the passivation layer <NUM>. That is, the passivation layer <NUM> may be disposed to cover the pixel electrode <NUM>, the common electrode <NUM>, the light emitting element <NUM>, and the like. In addition, as described above, when the eighth insulating layer <NUM> is omitted, the passivation layer <NUM> may be formed on the first contact electrode <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM>. In this embodiment, the passivation layer <NUM> may electrically isolate the first contact electrode <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM> from each other.

Each of the fifth insulating layer <NUM>, the sixth insulating layer <NUM>, the eighth insulating layer <NUM> and the passivation layer <NUM> may include an inorganic insulating material. For example, the fifth insulating layer <NUM>, the sixth insulating layer <NUM>, the eighth insulating layer <NUM> and the passivation layer <NUM> may include a material such as silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxynitride (SiOxNy), aluminum oxide (Al<NUM>O<NUM>) and/or aluminum nitride (AIN). The fifth insulating layer <NUM>, the sixth insulating layer <NUM>, the eighth insulating layer <NUM>, and the passivation layer <NUM> may be formed of the same material or different materials. In addition, various materials are applicable to impart insulation properties to the fifth insulating layer <NUM>, the sixth insulating layer <NUM>, the eighth insulating layer <NUM> and the passivation layer <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the fifth insulating layer <NUM>, the eighth insulating layer <NUM> and the passivation layer <NUM> may further include an organic insulating material as in the seventh insulating layer <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The organic insulating material included in the seventh insulating layer <NUM> is not particularly limited as long as it falls within a range that does not affect the characteristics of the light emitting element solution S shown in <FIG>. For example, the organic insulating material may include at least one selected from the group consisting of epoxy resin, cardo resin, polyimide resin, acrylic resin, siloxane resin and silsesquioxane resin, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

As described above, the display device <NUM> includes the pixel electrode <NUM>, the common electrode <NUM> and the light emitting element <NUM> disposed between the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM>. The light emitting element <NUM> may emit light of a specific wavelength band by receiving an electric signal from the first contact electrode <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM>. However, in a process of patterning the first contact electrode <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM>, a defect (e.g., a seam) may occur in inorganic crystals around the light emitting element <NUM> and a gap may be formed below the light emitting element <NUM>. Thus, by filling the seam or gap with an organic insulating material, including the seventh insulating layer <NUM>, it is possible to prevent disconnection of the contact material between the light emitting element <NUM> and the first contact electrode <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM> or a short-circuit failure due to the gap.

In an embodiment, the light emitting element <NUM> may be manufactured by an epitaxial growth method on a substrate. The growth may be performed by forming a seed crystal layer for forming a semiconductor layer on a substrate, and depositing a desired semiconductor material. Hereinafter, the structure of the light emitting element <NUM> according to various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a light emitting element according to an embodiment. <FIG> and <FIG> are schematic diagrams of light emitting elements according to other embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, the light emitting element <NUM> may include a plurality of semiconductor layers <NUM> and <NUM> and an active material layer <NUM> disposed between the plurality of semiconductor layers <NUM> and <NUM>. The electric signal applied from the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> may be transmitted to the active material layer <NUM> through the plurality of semiconductor layers <NUM> and <NUM> to emit light.

In an embodiment, the light emitting element <NUM> may include the first semiconductor layer <NUM>, the second semiconductor layer <NUM>, the active material layer <NUM> and an insulating material layer <NUM> disposed between the first semiconductor layer <NUM> and the second semiconductor layer <NUM>. The light emitting element <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> has a structure in which the first semiconductor layer <NUM>, the active material layer <NUM>, and the second semiconductor layer <NUM> are sequentially stacked in the longitudinal direction.

The first semiconductor layer <NUM> may be an n-type semiconductor layer. For example, when the light emitting element <NUM> emits light of a blue wavelength band, the first semiconductor layer <NUM> may be a semiconductor material having a chemical formula of InxAlyGa<NUM>-x-yN(<NUM>≤x≤<NUM>,<NUM>≤y≤<NUM>, <NUM>≤x+y≤<NUM>). For example, it may be at least one of n-type doped InAlGaN, GaN, AlGaN, InGaN, AIN and InN. The first semiconductor layer <NUM> may be doped with a first conductive dopant. For example, the first conductive dopant may be Si, Ge, Sn, or the like. The length of the first semiconductor layer <NUM> may range from <NUM> to <NUM>, but is not limited thereto.

The second semiconductor layer <NUM> may be a p-type semiconductor layer. For example, when the light emitting element <NUM> emits light of a blue wavelength band, the second semiconductor layer <NUM> may be a semiconductor material having a chemical formula of InxAlyGa<NUM>-x-yN(<NUM>≤x≤<NUM>,<NUM>≤y≤<NUM>, <NUM>≤x+y≤<NUM>). For example, it may be at least one of p-type doped InAlGaN, GaN, AlGaN, InGaN, AIN and InN. The second semiconductor layer <NUM> may be doped with a second conductive dopant. For example, the second conductive dopant may be Mg, Zn, Ca, Se, Ba, or the like. The length of the second semiconductor layer <NUM> may range from <NUM> to <NUM>, but is not limited thereto.

The active material layer <NUM> may be disposed between the first semiconductor layer <NUM> and the second semiconductor layer <NUM> and may include a material having a single or multiple quantum well structure. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the active material layer <NUM> may have a structure in which a semiconductor material having a large band gap energy and a semiconductor material having a small band gap energy are alternately stacked.

The active material layer <NUM> may emit light by coupling of electron-hole pairs according to an electrical signal applied through the first semiconductor layer <NUM> and the second semiconductor layer <NUM>. For example, when the active material layer <NUM> emits light of a blue wavelength band, it may include a material such as AlGaN, AlInGaN or the like, and may include Group III to Group <NUM> semiconductor materials depending on the wavelength band of the emitted light. Accordingly, the light emitted by the active material layer <NUM> is not limited to light of a blue wavelength band, but may emit light of a red or green wavelength range as desired. The length of the active material layer <NUM> may be in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>, but is not limited thereto.

The light emitted from the active material layer <NUM> may be emitted not only toward the outer surface of the light emitting element <NUM> in the longitudinal direction, but also to both side surfaces of the light emitting element <NUM>. That is, the directionality of the light emitted from the active material layer <NUM> is not limited to a particular direction.

The insulating material layer <NUM> may be formed outside the light emitting element <NUM> to protect the light emitting element <NUM>. For example, the insulating material layer <NUM> may be formed to surround the side surface of the light emitting element <NUM> and may not be formed at both end portions of the light emitting element <NUM> in the longitudinal direction, for example, both end portions where the first semiconductor layer <NUM> and the second semiconductor layer <NUM> are disposed. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The insulating material layer <NUM> may include materials having insulation properties such as silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxynitride (SiOxNy), aluminum nitride (AIN), aluminum oxide (Al<NUM>O<NUM>) and the like. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an electrical short that may occur when the active material layer <NUM> directly contacts the pixel electrode <NUM> or the common electrode <NUM>. In addition, since the insulating material layer <NUM> includes the active material layer <NUM> to protect the outer surface of the light emitting element <NUM>, it is possible to prevent a decrease in luminous efficiency.

The thickness of the insulating material layer <NUM> may range from <NUM> to <NUM>, but is not limited thereto.

The light emitting element <NUM> may be cylindrical. However, the shape of the light emitting element <NUM> is not limited thereto, and may have various shapes such as a cube, a rectangular parallelepiped or a hexagonal column. The light emitting element <NUM> may have a length <NUM> in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> or <NUM> ,um to <NUM>, preferably, a length of about <NUM>. In addition, the diameter of the light emitting element <NUM> may range from <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably about <NUM>.

In an embodiment, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the light emitting elements <NUM>' and <NUM>" may further include electrode material layers <NUM> and <NUM> on at least one of the side surfaces where the first semiconductor layer <NUM> and the second semiconductor layer <NUM> are disposed.

In the light emitting element <NUM>' illustrated in <FIG>, the second semiconductor layer <NUM> further includes the electrode material layer <NUM>. Further, in the light emitting element <NUM>" illustrated in <FIG>, the first semiconductor layer <NUM> and the second semiconductor layer <NUM> further include the electrode material layers <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. For simplicity of description, the electrode layer formed on one side surface where the first semiconductor layer <NUM> is disposed is referred to as a first electrode material layer <NUM>, and the electrode layer formed on the other side surface where the second semiconductor layer <NUM> is disposed is referred to as a second electrode material layer <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and any electrode layer may be referred to as a first electrode layer.

The light emitting elements <NUM>' and <NUM>" according to other embodiments may include at least one of the first electrode material layer <NUM> and the second electrode material layer <NUM>. In this embodiment, the insulating material layer <NUM> may extend in the longitudinal direction to cover the first electrode material layer <NUM> and the second electrode material layer <NUM>. However, without being limited thereto, the insulating material layer <NUM> may cover only the first semiconductor layer <NUM>, the active material layer <NUM> and the second semiconductor layer <NUM> or only a part of the outer surfaces of the electrode material layers <NUM> and <NUM> to expose only a part of the outer surfaces of the first electrode material layer <NUM> and the second electrode material layer <NUM>.

The first electrode material layer <NUM> and the second electrode material layer <NUM> may be ohmic contact electrodes. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and the first electrode material layer <NUM> and the second electrode material layer <NUM> may be Schottky contact electrodes. The first electrode material layer <NUM> and the second electrode material layer <NUM> may include conductive metal. For example, the first electrode material layer <NUM> and the second electrode material layer <NUM> may include at least one of aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), indium (In), gold (Au) and silver (Ag). The first electrode material layer <NUM> and the second electrode material layer <NUM> may include the same material and may include different materials. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing the display device <NUM> according to an embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG> show a method of manufacturing the display device <NUM> of <FIG>.

In addition, the members disposed on the fourth insulating layer <NUM>, for example, the partition <NUM>, the pixel electrode <NUM>, the common electrode <NUM>, the first contact electrode <NUM>, the second contact electrode <NUM>, and a plurality of insulating layers may be patterned by a mask process, which may be typically employed. Therefore, a detailed description of the mask process in which the respective members are formed will be omitted in the following description.

<FIG> are cross-sectional views showing a schematic sequence of a method of manufacturing a display device according to an embodiment.

First, referring to <FIG>, a first substrate layer <NUM> is prepared, which includes the fourth insulating layer <NUM>, the first partition <NUM> and the second partition <NUM> separated from each other on the fourth insulating layer <NUM>, the first reflective layer <NUM> and the second reflective layer <NUM> respectively disposed on the first partition <NUM> and the second partition <NUM>, and the first electrode layer <NUM> and the second electrode layer <NUM> respectively disposed on the first reflective layer <NUM> and the second reflective layer <NUM>. The first thin film transistor <NUM>, the second thin film transistor <NUM> and the power supply wiring <NUM> may be formed below the fourth insulating layer <NUM> of the first substrate layer <NUM> as described above. However, the members are not shown in the following drawings. The structure, arrangement and the like of the members disposed on the fourth insulating layer <NUM> are the same as those described with reference to <FIG>. A detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Then, referring to <FIG>, a fifth insulating material layer <NUM> is formed to cover both the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM>. The fifth insulating material layer <NUM> may be patterned as described below to form the fifth insulating layer <NUM> of <FIG>.

Then, referring to <FIG>, the light emitting element <NUM> is aligned between the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> on the fifth insulating material layer <NUM>. A dielectrophoresis (DEP) method may be used to align the light emitting element <NUM> between the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM>. A detailed description thereof will be given with reference to <FIG>.

First, referring to <FIG>, the light emitting element solution S including the plurality of light emitting elements <NUM> may be loaded on the display device <NUM> such that the light emitting element <NUM> is transferred onto the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM>. The light emitting element solution S may have a form such as ink or paste, and may be at least one of acetone, water, alcohol and toluene. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and the light emitting element solution S is not particularly limited as long as it is a material which can be vaporized at room temperature or by heat.

In an embodiment, the light emitting element solution S is brought into contact with a pixel partition <NUM> and can maintain a hemispherical shape due to the surface tension force of the light emitting element solution S. Although not shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the pixel partition <NUM> may perform a function of making the pixels PX distinguished from each other. The region where the light emitting element solution S is in contact with the pixel partition <NUM> may be subjected to a force exerted toward the center of the light emitting element solution S, and the light emitting element solution S may not flow over the pixel partition <NUM>. Accordingly, when the light emitting element <NUM> is transferred, it is possible to prevent the light emitting element <NUM> from moving to another adjacent pixel PX.

When the light emitting element <NUM> is transferred, an AC power is applied to align the light emitting element <NUM> using the DEP method.

In an embodiment, referring to <FIG>, a power supply V is applied to the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> to form an electric field E between the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM>. The power supply V may be an external power supply or an internal power supply of the display device <NUM>. The power supply V may be an AC power supply or a DC power supply having a predetermined amplitude and period. The DC power supply may be repeatedly applied to the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> to realize a power supply having a predetermined amplitude and period.

When the power supply is applied to the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM>, a potential difference is generated by the electric polarity applied to the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM>, and an electric field E is formed. The bipolarity is induced in the light emitting element <NUM> under a nonuniform electric field E, and the light emitting element <NUM> is driven by a dielectrophoretic force (DEP force) in a direction in which the slope of the electric field E is larger or smaller. The light emitting element <NUM> may be self-aligned between the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> by the DEP force.

After the light emitting element <NUM> is aligned, the light emitting element solution S may be vaporized and removed at room temperature or by heat such that the light emitting element <NUM> is disposed between the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

In an embodiment, the light emitting element solution S may include at least one type of the light emitting elements <NUM>. The light emitting element solution S may include the light emitting elements <NUM> that emit light of various colors in order to align the light emitting elements <NUM> of different colors for each pixel PX of the display device <NUM>. Further, the light emitting elements <NUM> that emit light of different colors may be mixed in the light emitting element solution S. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Then, referring to <FIG>, a sixth insulating material layer <NUM> is formed to cover the fifth insulating material layer <NUM> and the upper portion of the light emitting element <NUM> to form a second substrate layer <NUM>. The sixth insulating material layer <NUM> may be patterned by a mask process, similarly to the fifth insulating material layer <NUM>, to finally form the sixth insulating layer <NUM>.

Then, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the fifth insulating material layer <NUM> and the sixth insulating material layer <NUM> are partially patterned such that the pixel electrode <NUM> is exposed to the outside, and the seventh insulating layer <NUM> is patterned on the partially patterned sixth insulating material layer <NUM>. The seventh insulating layer <NUM> is patterned to cover a portion of the upper surface of the sixth insulating material layer <NUM> and one side portion exposed in the direction in which the pixel electrode <NUM> of the sixth insulating material layer <NUM> is disposed.

The seventh insulating layer <NUM> formed on the sixth insulating material layer <NUM> may fill a gap formed below the light emitting element <NUM>. The seventh insulating layer <NUM> may include an organic filler made of the same material as the seventh insulating layer <NUM> and may fill or partially fill a separation space between the lower surface of the light emitting element <NUM> and the fifth insulating layer <NUM>. An organic material can be diffused more smoothly than an inorganic material. Accordingly, when the seventh insulating layer <NUM> is formed, the organic material may be diffused and filled in the gap formed below the light emitting element <NUM> and the seam of the crystals of the sixth insulating material layer <NUM>. In addition, the sixth insulating material layer <NUM> can be partially planarized by the seventh insulating layer <NUM>. When the sixth insulating material layer <NUM> is planarized, the members, for example, the first contact electrode <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM>, which are formed in the subsequent patterning process, can be smoothly stacked.

Then, a patterning process for exposing the upper portion of the pixel electrode <NUM> may be performed by dry etching the sixth insulating layer <NUM> and the seventh insulating layer <NUM>.

Then, referring to <FIG>, the first contact electrode <NUM> is patterned on the pixel electrode <NUM>. The first contact electrode <NUM> may be formed to cover the pixel electrode <NUM>, and a portion of the first contact electrode <NUM> may contact the light emitting element <NUM> and the seventh insulating layer <NUM>.

Then, referring to <FIG>, the eighth insulating layer <NUM> is patterned to cover the first contact electrode <NUM> and expose the common electrode <NUM>. The eighth insulating layer <NUM> may cover one end portion of the first contact electrode <NUM> in the direction in which the common electrode <NUM> is disposed and cover one side surface of the seventh insulating layer <NUM> in the direction in which the common electrode <NUM> is disposed.

Then, referring to <FIG>, the second contact electrode <NUM> is patterned on the upper surface of the common electrode <NUM>. The second contact electrode <NUM> may be in partial contact with the common electrode <NUM>, the light emitting element <NUM>, the sixth insulating layer <NUM>, the seventh insulating layer <NUM> and the eighth insulating layer <NUM>. The second contact electrode <NUM> may be formed up to a part of the upper portion of the eighth insulating layer <NUM>. Accordingly, the second contact electrode <NUM> can be electrically isolated from the first contact electrode <NUM> by the eighth insulating layer <NUM>.

Finally, the passivation layer <NUM> is formed to cover the eighth insulating layer <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM>. Through the above-described series of processes, the display device <NUM> according to one embodiment can be manufactured.

In an embodiment, the organic material of the seventh insulating layer <NUM> can fill the gap formed below the light emitting element <NUM> or the seam of the inorganic crystals. If only the sixth insulating layer <NUM> for fixing the light emitting element <NUM> is formed, the gap or seam may be damaged by a subsequent patterning process and a disconnection problem of the material may occur when the light emitting elements <NUM> is in contact with the contact electrodes <NUM> and <NUM>. Hereinafter, a form in which the organic material is filled in the seventh insulating layer <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are cross-sectional views schematically showing a state in which a sixth insulating layer or a first contact electrode is formed on a light emitting element of a display device according to a comparative example.

First, referring to <FIG>, when the light emitting element <NUM> is disposed on a fifth insulating layer <NUM>' and a sixth insulating layer <NUM>' is disposed to cover the outer surface of the light emitting element <NUM>, a gap G may be formed under the light emitting element <NUM>. Further, since the sixth insulating layer <NUM>' containing an inorganic material has poor step-coverage, a void may be partially formed in a separation space between the lower surface of the light emitting element <NUM> and the fifth insulating layer <NUM>'. When the gap G or the seam of inorganic crystals is formed in the fifth insulating layer <NUM>' and the sixth insulating layer <NUM>' disposed around the light emitting element <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, the light emitting element <NUM> may be damaged in the subsequent patterning process.

Referring to <FIG>, in a part of the light emitting element <NUM>, if the sixth insulating layer <NUM> is patterned and removed and a first contact electrode <NUM>' is patterned thereon, a disconnection of the material of the first contact electrode <NUM>' may occur. Accordingly, a defect of the pixel including the light emitting element <NUM> may occur, and a short-circuit failure due to the gap G may occur.

On the other hand, when the seventh insulating layer <NUM> is further included, the step-coverage of the first contact electrode <NUM> can be improved by filling the seam of crystals or the gap G that may occur in an inorganic layer around the light emitting element <NUM>.

When the light emitting element <NUM> has a cylindrical shape, a part of the lower surface of the light emitting element <NUM> may be in direct contact with the fifth insulating layer <NUM>. In the display device <NUM> according to one embodiment, the lower surface of the light emitting element <NUM> may be at least partially opposed to and separated from the fifth insulating layer <NUM>, and an organic filler made of the same material as the organic insulating layer may be partially filled in the separation space between the lower surface of the light emitting element <NUM> and the fifth insulating layer <NUM>. A detailed description thereof will be given with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are cross-sectional views schematically showing a state in which a sixth insulating layer or a first contact electrode is formed on a light emitting element of a display device according to an embodiment.

First, referring to <FIG>, the same organic filler as that of the seventh insulating layer <NUM> may be partially disposed on the lower surface of the light emitting element <NUM>, in a partial region separated from the fifth insulating layer <NUM>. In addition, the organic material may be filled in the gap G that may be formed under the light emitting element <NUM>. Further, referring to <FIG>, it can be seen that the step-coverage of the first contact electrode <NUM> can be improved by filling the organic material in a partial region separated from the fifth insulating layer <NUM> on the lower surface of the light emitting element <NUM>. That is, the first contact electrode <NUM> may be in partial contact with the organic filler. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a problem of disconnection of the contact material of the light emitting element <NUM> or a short-circuit failure of the light emitting element <NUM> during the manufacture of the display device <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are scanning electron microscope (SEM) photographs showing the cross sections of <FIG> and <FIG> respectively.

Referring to <FIG>, it can be seen that a gap is formed between the fifth insulating layer <NUM> and the light emitting element <NUM> when only the sixth insulating layer <NUM> is formed. Accordingly, the light emitting element <NUM> may be damaged or the material of the contact electrode may be broken in an additional mask process. In addition, since the sixth insulating layer <NUM> is formed along the outer peripheral surface of the light emitting element <NUM>, the upper surface of the sixth insulating layer <NUM> may not be flat. For example, as shown in <FIG>, when the cross section of the light emitting element <NUM> is circular, the sixth insulating layer <NUM> may also have a circular curvature in cross section. Accordingly, the first contact electrode <NUM> or the second contact electrode <NUM>, which may be disposed on the sixth insulating layer <NUM>, is non-uniformly disposed, and a failure may occur in contact with the light emitting element <NUM>.

On the other hand, when the seventh insulating layer <NUM> is disposed on the sixth insulating layer <NUM>, a gap formed below the light emitting element <NUM> can be filled by diffusion of the organic material in the seventh insulating layer <NUM>, and it is possible to improve the seam of an inorganic crystal interface or poor step-coverage. In addition, since the seventh insulating layer <NUM> can planarize the upper surface of the sixth insulating layer <NUM>, an additional mask process can be smoothly performed.

Referring to <FIG>, it can be seen that the seventh insulating layer <NUM> fills the gap between the light emitting element <NUM> and the fifth insulating layer <NUM>, unlike the case of <FIG>. In addition, it can be seen that the upper surface is planarized by the seventh insulating layer <NUM> disposed on the sixth insulating layer <NUM>. Accordingly, a process of forming the first contact electrode <NUM> and the second contact electrode <NUM> to be performed later can be performed smoothly, so that the contact with the light emitting element <NUM> can be performed smoothly.

As described above, the seventh insulating layer <NUM> and the sixth insulating layer <NUM> may have various structures depending on a patterning method of the sixth insulating material layer <NUM> and a seventh insulating material layer <NUM>. Accordingly, the structures of the members such as the first contact electrode <NUM>, the second contact electrode <NUM> and the eighth insulating layer <NUM>, which may be disposed on the seventh insulating layer <NUM>, may be varied as well. In some embodiments, when the respective regions of the fifth insulating material layer <NUM> and the sixth insulating material layer <NUM> in contact with the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> are patterned simultaneously, the sixth insulating layer <NUM> may have a symmetrical structure with respect to the center of the light emitting element <NUM>. Further, when the seventh insulating material layer <NUM> is patterned simultaneously with the sixth insulating material layer <NUM>, the sixth insulating layer <NUM> and the seventh insulating layer <NUM> may have the same structure. That is, the cross-sectional structure of the display device <NUM> may vary depending on a method of performing an etching process after forming a specific layer. Hereinafter, a display device and a method of manufacturing the same according to other embodiments will be described.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment. A display device 10_1 of <FIG> is the same as the display device <NUM> of <FIG> except that the structures of a seventh insulating layer 530_1, a sixth insulating layer 520_1 and an eighth insulating layer 540_1 are different. Hereinafter, only differences will be described in detail.

In the display device 10_1 of <FIG>, one side surface of the seventh insulating layer 530_1 may be aligned with one side surface of the sixth insulating layer 520_1, and the other side surface of the seventh insulating layer 530_1 may be aligned with the other side surface of the sixth insulating layer 520_1 and one side surface of the eighth insulating layer 540_1.

Referring to <FIG>, both side surfaces of the seventh insulating layer 530_1 and the sixth insulating layer 520_1 may be recessed inwardly relative to both side surfaces of the light emitting element <NUM>, and both side surfaces of the seventh insulating layer 530_1 and the sixth insulating layer 520_1 may be aligned with each other.

When performing a process of exposing the pixel electrode <NUM>, the seventh insulating layer 530_1 and the sixth insulating layer 520_1 may be patterned simultaneously in one mask process so that their first side surfaces in the direction in which the pixel electrode <NUM> is disposed can be aligned with each other. Further, in a process of exposing the common electrode <NUM>, the eighth insulating layer 540_1 may be patterned together with the seventh insulating layer 530_1 and the sixth insulating layer 520_1 so that the second side surfaces opposite to the first side surfaces can be aligned with each other. Accordingly, each of a first contact electrode 360_1 disposed on the pixel electrode <NUM> and a second contact electrode 370_1 disposed on the common electrode <NUM> may be in partial contact with the sixth insulating layer 520_1. Unlike the display device <NUM> of <FIG>, the first contact electrode 360_1 of the display device 10_1 of <FIG> may be in parallel contact with one side surface of the sixth insulating layer 520_1 which fixes the light emitting element <NUM> and one side surface of the seventh insulating layer 530_1 which can fill an empty region that may be formed under the light emitting element <NUM>.

Further, the first contact electrode 360_1 and the second contact electrode 370_1 may be separated from each other on the seventh insulating layer 530_1 and the eighth insulating layer 540_1 may be disposed in the separation space. The eighth insulating layer 540_1 may cover one side surface of the first contact electrode 360_1 to electrically isolate it from the second contact electrode 370_2.

Further, since a plurality of members are patterned simultaneously in the display device 10_1 of <FIG>, there is an advantage that the number oftasks of the mask process can be reduced. A detailed description of a method of manufacturing the display device 10_1 of <FIG> will be given with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> are sequence diagrams showing partial steps of a method of manufacturing the display device of <FIG>.

First, referring to <FIG>, the second substrate layer <NUM> of <FIG> is prepared, and a seventh insulating material layer 531_1 is formed thereon. The structure and formation method of the second substrate layer <NUM> are the same as those described above. The seventh insulating material layer 531_1 may be disposed to cover a sixth insulating material layer 521_2. Unlike the display device <NUM> of <FIG>, the seventh insulating material layer 531_1 is formed before the upper surface of the pixel electrode <NUM> is exposed.

Then, referring to <FIG>, the seventh insulating material layer 531_1 and the sixth insulating material layer 521_1 are patterned simultaneously to expose the pixel electrode <NUM>. Accordingly, one side surface of the seventh insulating material layer 531_1 and one side surface of the sixth insulating material layer 521_1 can be aligned with each other.

Then, referring to <FIG>, the first contact electrode 360_1 is formed on the upper surface of the pixel electrode <NUM>. The first contact electrode 360_1 may be in partial contact with the fifth insulating material layer 511_1, the light emitting element <NUM>, the sixth insulating material layer 521_1 and the seventh insulating material layer 531_1. One side portion of the first contact electrode 360_1 may be disposed in a region of the upper surface of the seventh insulating material layer 531_1 that overlaps the light emitting element <NUM>. Accordingly, as described later, the eighth insulating layer 540_1 may be disposed to cover the one side portion of the first contact electrode 360_1 and may be in contact with the seventh insulating material layer 531_1.

Then, referring to <FIG>, the common electrode <NUM> is exposed by patterning the eighth insulating layer 540_1 covering the first contact electrode 360_1, the seventh insulating layer 530_1, the sixth insulating layer 520_1 and the eighth insulating layer 540_1. When the common electrode <NUM> is exposed, the eighth insulating layer 540_1 is patterned simultaneously with the sixth insulating layer 521_1 and the seventh insulating layer 531_1. Therefore, one side surface of the eighth insulating layer 540_1 can be aligned with the side surfaces of the seventh insulating layer 530_1 and the sixth insulating layer 520_1. Further, as described above, since the one side portion of the first contact electrode 360_1 is disposed on the upper surface of the seventh insulating layer 530_1, the eighth insulating layer 540_1 may cover the one side portion of the first contact electrode 360_1.

Then, referring to <FIG>, the second contact electrode 370_1 is formed on the upper surface of the common electrode <NUM>, and then a passivation layer 550_1 is formed, thereby manufacturing the display device 10_1 of <FIG>. Since these steps are the same as those described above, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to still another embodiment.

A display device 10_2 of <FIG> is different from the display device <NUM> of <FIG> in that the eighth insulating layer <NUM> is omitted and a first contact electrode 360_2 and a second contact electrode 370_2 are separated from each other on substantially the same plane. A passivation layer 550_2 may be disposed in the separation space between the first contact electrode 360_2 and the second contact electrode 370_2 to electrically isolate the first contact electrode 360_2 and the second contact electrode 370_2 from each other. A seventh insulating layer 530_2 is disposed to cover the upper surface and both side surfaces of a sixth insulating layer 520_2. In the illustrated embodiment, the sixth insulating layer 520_2 is recessed inwardly from both side surfaces of the seventh insulating layer 530_2, and is not exposed to the outside. Thus, the sixth insulating layer 520_2 may not be in contact with the first contact electrode 360_2 and the second contact electrode 370_2.

Therefore, since the eighth insulating layer <NUM> is omitted in comparison with the display device <NUM> of <FIG>, the display device 10_2 of <FIG> can simplify the members disposed on the fourth insulating layer <NUM> and, thus, the thickness of the display device 10_2 can be reduced. In addition, regions where the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> are disposed may be symmetrical with respect to the light emitting element <NUM>. A detailed description of a method of manufacturing the display device 10_2 of <FIG> will be given with reference to <FIG>.

First, referring to <FIG>, the second substrate layer <NUM> of <FIG> is prepared, and the sixth insulating layer 520_2 is patterned to simultaneously expose the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM>. Since only one mask process is performed, the patterned sixth insulator layer 520_2 may have a symmetrical structure with respect to the center of the light emitting element <NUM>. In this embodiment, since the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> are patterned to simultaneously expose their upper surfaces, the first contact electrode 360_2 and the second contact electrode 370_2, which will be described later, may be disposed on substantially the same plane.

Then, referring to <FIG>, the seventh insulating layer 530_2 is patterned so as to cover the upper surface and both side surfaces of the sixth insulating layer 520_2. The sixth insulating layer 520_2 may be patterned simultaneously when the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM> are exposed such that both side surfaces face the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM>, respectively. Further, since both side surfaces of the sixth insulating layer 520_2 are recessed inwardly relative to the light emitting element <NUM>, when the seventh insulating layer 530_2 is patterned on the sixth insulating layer 520_2, both side of the surfaces may be covered by the seventh insulating layer 530_2. Accordingly, the sixth insulating layer 520_2 may not be exposed to the outside.

Further, both side surfaces of the seventh insulating layer 530_2 may be aligned with both side surfaces of the light emitting element <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and in some embodiments, both side surfaces of the seventh insulating layer 530_2 may be recessed inwardly from both side surfaces of the light emitting element <NUM>.

Then, referring to <FIG> the first contact electrode 360_2 and the second contact electrode 370_2 are patterned simultaneously by performing one mask process. In an embodiment, the first contact electrode 360_2 and the second contact electrode 370_2 are patterned to be separated from each other on the upper surface of the seventh insulating layer 530_2. Accordingly, the first contact electrode 360_2 and the second contact electrode 370_2 are exposed such that their one side portions face each other. Since the sixth insulating layer 520_2 is not covered by the seventh insulating layer 530_2 and is not exposed, the first contact electrode 360_2 and the second contact electrode 370_2 are in partial contact with only the seventh insulating layer 530_2, the light emitting element <NUM> and the fifth insulating layer 510_2.

Finally, the passivation layer 550_2 is formed so as to cover the first contact electrode 360_2, the seventh insulating layer 530_2 and the second contact electrode 370_2, thereby manufacturing the display device 10_2 of <FIG>. The passivation layer 550_2 may be disposed on the seventh insulating layer 530_2 in a region where the first contact electrode 360_2 and the second contact electrode 370_2 are separated from each other and may be in partial contact with the seventh insulating layer 530_2. Additionally, the exposed side portions of the first contact electrode 360_2 and the second contact electrode 370_2 can be protected and electrically isolated from each other by the passivation layer 550_2.

A display device 10_3 of <FIG> is the same as the display device 10_2 of <FIG> except that both side surfaces of a seventh insulating layer 530_3 are aligned with both side surfaces of a sixth insulating layer 520_3. Accordingly, both side surfaces of the sixth insulating layer 520_3 may be exposed to the outside to contact the first contact electrode 360_3 and the second contact electrode 370_3, respectively. Hereinafter, only differences will be described in detail.

In the display device 10_3 of <FIG>, the seventh insulating layer 530_3 and the sixth insulating layer 520_3 are formed by being patterned simultaneously in one mask process. That is, the seventh insulating layer 530_3 is formed before exposing the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM>, and the sixth insulating layer 520_3 and the seventh insulating layer 530_3 are patterned simultaneously. A detailed description of a method of manufacturing the display device 10_3 of <FIG> will be given with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are sequence diagrams showing partial steps of a method of manufacturing the display device of <FIG>.

First, referring to <FIG>, the second substrate layer <NUM> of <FIG> is prepared and the seventh insulating layer 530_3 and the sixth insulating layer 520_3 are patterned simultaneously to expose the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM>. Accordingly, both side surfaces of the sixth insulating layer 520_3 and the seventh insulating layer 530_3 may be aligned with each other, and may be recessed inwardly relative to both side surfaces of the light emitting element <NUM>. However, as described above with reference to <FIG>, in some embodiments, both side surfaces of the seventh insulating layer 530_3 and the sixth insulating layer 520_3 may be aligned with both side surfaces of the light emitting element <NUM>. The embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

Then, referring to <FIG>, the first contact electrode 360_3 and the second contact electrode 370_3 are patterned simultaneously on the exposed upper surfaces of the pixel electrode <NUM> and the common electrode <NUM>, respectively. Then, a passivation layer 550_3 is formed to cover the first contact electrode 360_3 and the second contact electrode 370_3, thereby manufacturing the display device 10_3 of <FIG>. Since these steps are the same as those described above, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Additionally, as described above with reference to the drawings, the partition <NUM> of the display device <NUM> has a side surface which is inclined and an upper surface which is horizontally flat. The upper surface and both side surfaces of the partition <NUM> may be formed to be angled with respect to each other and may have a substantially trapezoidal shape. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the partition <NUM> may have various structures. For example, the upper surface and side surfaces of the partition <NUM> may have curvatures.

Referring to <FIG>, the partition <NUM> of the display device <NUM> may be formed such that an outer circumferential surface thereof has a curvature and gently protrudes from the fourth insulating layer <NUM>. That is, the partition <NUM> may have a substantially semi-elliptical shape. Accordingly, when a plurality of members, e.g., the reflection layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the electrode layers <NUM> and <NUM>, disposed on the partition <NUM> are patterned, materials included in the reflective layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the electrode layers <NUM> and <NUM> may be smoothly deposited or formed on the partition <NUM>. Therefore, a disconnection or defect of a material that may occur when manufacturing the display device <NUM> can be reduced.

Claim 1:
A display device (<NUM>) comprising:
a first electrode (<NUM>);
a second electrode (<NUM>) facing the first electrode (<NUM>);
a first insulating layer (<NUM>) on the first electrode (<NUM>) and the second electrode (<NUM>) and positioned between the first electrode (<NUM>) and the second electrode (<NUM>);
a light emitting element (<NUM>) on the first insulating layer (<NUM>);
a second insulating layer (<NUM>) covering the light emitting element (<NUM>) and exposing first and second end portions of the light emitting element (<NUM>);
a third insulating layer (<NUM>) on the second insulating layer (<NUM>);
a first contact electrode (<NUM>) electrically connected to the first electrode (<NUM>), the first contact electrode (<NUM>) being on the third insulating layer (<NUM>) and in contact with the first end portion of the light emitting element (<NUM>) exposed by the second insulating layer (<NUM>); and
a second contact electrode (<NUM>) electrically connected to the second electrode (<NUM>), the second contact electrode (<NUM>) being on the third insulating layer (<NUM>) and in contact with a second end portion of the light emitting element (<NUM>) exposed by the second insulating layer (<NUM>),
wherein the second insulating layer (<NUM>) is an inorganic insulating layer; and
wherein the third insulating layer (<NUM>) is an organic insulating layer.