Patent Description:
<CIT> describes a method of making an OLED device, including providing a substrate having a first electrode and a conductive bus line provided over the substrate.

<CIT> describes a method of making a top-emitting OLED device which includes providing over a substrate laterally spaced and optically opaque lower electrodes.

<CIT> describes an OLED display device that includes a shared cathode between OLED pixels as well as auxiliary lines that are formed between rows and/or columns of the OLED pixels.

<CIT> describes a display device and a method for manufacturing the display device.

Currently popular display devices include liquid crystal displays (LCDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays, field effect displays (FEDs), and electrophoretic displays (EPDs).

Particularly, the organic light emitting diode (OLED) display includes two electrodes and an organic emission layer disposed therebetween. Electrons from one electrode and holes from the other electrode combine within the organic emission layer to thereby form excitons, which release energy in the form of light as they relax.

The organic light emitting diode (OLED) display accordingly has a self-luminous characteristic, and because the organic light emitting diode (OLED) display does not need a separate light source, unlike a liquid crystal display (LCD), the OLED display can be relatively thin and light weight. Further, the organic light emitting diode (OLED) display exhibits high-quality characteristics such as low power consumption, high luminance, and fast response speed, and thus receives attention as a next generation display device.

As the organic light emitting diode display is larger, a screen smudge defect may be observed as a result of a voltage drop in the common electrode. To solve the voltage drop problem, the common electrode and a common voltage line are connected to each other in each sub-pixel.

To connect the common electrode and the common voltage line to each other, the common electrode and the common voltage line are electrically connected to each other by removing a part of an organic emission layer with a laser.

However, in the process of removing the part of the organic emission layer by using the laser, a metal layer disposed under the organic emission layer may be damaged, and a remaining gas component of the organic layer may be discharged into the damaged metal layer such that the common electrode may be oxidized.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an organic light emitting diode display and a manufacturing method for preventing the metal layer positioned under the organic emission layer from being damaged by the laser, and
for preventing the common electrode from being oxidized due to the discharge of the remaining gas of the organic layer due to the damaged metal layer. This object is achieved by the subject matter of independent claims <NUM> and <NUM>. Preferred embodiments are defined in the sub claims.

According to the present invention, an organic light emitting diode display inter alia includes: a substrate; a pixel formed on the substrate and including a pixel area displaying an image and a peripheral area adjacent to the pixel area; an insulating layer formed at the pixel area and the peripheral area on the substrate; a first electrode formed at the pixel area on the insulating layer; an organic emission layer formed on the first electrode and extending to the peripheral area; a second electrode formed on the organic emission layer and disposed in the pixel area and the peripheral area; an auxiliary electrode disposed in the peripheral area on the substrate and partially exposed by a first opening formed in the insulating layer; and an auxiliary member disposed on the auxiliary electrode and in contact with an upper surface of the auxiliary electrode exposed by the first opening.

The insulating layer may be a planarization layer which serves to planarize a step on a thin film transistor and to thereby increase emission efficiency of the organic light emitting element that will be formed thereon. However, the present invention is not restricted to such an embodiment and the insulating layer may be another layer than a planarization layer.

The organic emission layer is disposed on the auxiliary member in the peripheral area, and has a second opening exposing part of the auxiliary member.

The second electrode is in contact with the auxiliary member through the second opening.

The second opening may have a circular shape.

The auxiliary member may cover the first opening of the insulating layer. This means that the auxiliary member may close the first opening in the insulating layer, whereby the auxiliary member may be plane or may additionally extend in a thickness direction of the insulating layer.

The auxiliary member may be in contact with a part of an interior circumference of the first opening. Especially in this case the auxiliary member extends in a thickness direction of the insulating layer and at the same time may cover the first opening.

The auxiliary member may be formed with the same layer as the first electrode.

The auxiliary member may be formed by sequentially stacking ITO (indium tin oxide), silver (Ag), and ITO.

The auxiliary electrode may be a common voltage line transmitting a common voltage.

The auxiliary electrode may be formed by sequentially stacking molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), and molybdenum (Mo).

The pixel may include at least one sub-pixel including the pixel area and the peripheral area, and the sub-pixel may be a red sub-pixel.

According to the present invention, a manufacturing method of an organic light emitting diode display inter alia includes: preparing a substrate; forming a thin film transistor including a semiconductor layer, a gate electrode on the semiconductor layer, and a source electrode and a drain electrode connected to the semiconductor layer on the substrate; forming an auxiliary electrode supplying a common voltage on the substrate; forming an insulating layer on the thin film transistor and the auxiliary electrode and exposing parts of the drain electrode and the auxiliary electrode; forming a first electrode on the insulating layer and in contact with the drain electrode; forming an auxiliary member in contact with the auxiliary electrode through a first opening formed in the insulating layer; forming an organic emission layer on the first electrode and the auxiliary member; removing a part of the organic emission layer to expose a part of the auxiliary member; and forming a second electrode on the organic emission layer.

The removal of the part of the organic emission layer is performed by using a laser.

The removal of the part of the organic emission layer may include forming a second opening by removing the part of the organic emission layer.

The method may further include forming a pixel definition layer having a third opening exposing the part of the auxiliary member and a fourth opening exposing the part of the first electrode.

The source electrode, the drain electrode, and the auxiliary electrode may be formed with the same layer.

The first electrode and the auxiliary member may be formed with the same layer.

The auxiliary memeberis in contact with an entire upper surface of the auxiliary electrode exposed by the first opening.

According to the organic light emitting diode display and the manufacturing method thereof, damage to the metal layer positioned under the organic emission layer by the laser removing the part of the organic emission layer may be prevented.

Also, oxidization of the common electrode by the remaining gas component of the organic layer may be prevented.

Further, generation of a dark spot in the organic light emitting diode display due to no emission of the organic emission layer may be prevented.

In addition, a voltage drop being generated in the organic light emitting diode display such that the luminance becomes non-uniform may be prevented.

A more complete appreciation of the present disclosure and many of the attendant aspects thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature. Like reference numerals may designate like elements throughout the specification.

In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers, films, panels, regions, areas, etc., may be exaggerated for clarity. It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being "on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present.

Also, the present invention is not limited to the number of thin film transistors (TFT) and capacitors shown in accompanying drawings, and in the organic light emitting diode display, each pixel may be provided with a plurality of transistors and at least one capacitor, and may be formed to have various structures by further forming additional wires or omitting existing wires. As defined herein, the pixel is a minimum unit for displaying an image, and the organic light emitting diode display displays the image through the plurality of pixels. In particular, the pixel may be a minimum unit for displaying any desired color, while the sub-pixel may be a minimum unit for displaying a particular single color.

An organic light emitting diode display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to <FIG>.

The organic light emitting diode display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be made of a plurality of pixels each including a plurality of sub-pixels. Each sub-pixel can display a primary color such as red, green, blue, etc., and a predetermined color may be realized in one pixel by a combination of a plurality of sub-pixels representing these colors.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, at least one sub-pixel may include a display area DA emitting light and a peripheral area PA adjacent to the display area DA. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, light is emitted from an organic emission layer <NUM> disposed between a first electrode <NUM> and a second electrode <NUM> in the display area DA, and a common voltage may be transmitted to the second electrode <NUM> through an auxiliary electrode <NUM> disposed in the peripheral area PA.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least one sub-pixel among a plurality of sub-pixels of one pixel may include the peripheral area PA. For example, when the plurality of sub-pixels are respectively a red sub-pixel, a green sub-pixel, and a blue sub-pixel, only the red sub-pixel may include both the display area DA and the peripheral area PA, while the green sub-pixel and the blue sub-pixel may each only include the display area DA. The common voltage supplied through the red sub-pixel may be commonly used in the green sub-pixel and the blue sub-pixel.

However, the present invention is not limited to this particular arrangement, and the red sub-pixel, the green sub-pixel, and the blue sub-pixel may all include the display area DA and the peripheral area PA. The common voltage is respectively supplied to the red, green, and blue sub-pixels.

A principal of operation of one sub-pixel of the organic light emitting diode display will be described below with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating one pixel of an organic light emitting diode display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in <FIG>, in the organic light emitting diode display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one sub-pixel PX includes a plurality of signal lines <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>; a plurality of transistors Td, Ts, and Tvth connected to the plurality of signal lines; a plurality of capacitors Cst and Cvth; and an organic light emitting diode OLED.

The plurality of transistors Td, Ts, and Tvth include a driving transistor Td, a switching transistor Ts, and a compensation transistor Tvth. The plurality of capacitors Cst and Cvth includes a storage capacitor Cst and a compensation capacitor Cvth.

The signal lines <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> includes a gate line <NUM> transmitting a scan signal Sn, a compensation control line <NUM> transmitting a compensation control signal Gc to the compensation transistor Tvth, a data line <NUM> crossing the gate line <NUM> and transmitting a data voltage Dm, and a driving voltage line <NUM> transmitting a driving voltage ELVDD to the driving transistor Td.

A gate electrode of the driving transistor Td is connected to one terminal of the compensation capacitor Cvth, a source electrode of the driving transistor Td is connected to the driving voltage line <NUM>, and a drain electrode of the driving transistor Td is electrically connected to an anode of the organic light emitting diode OLED.

The compensation transistor Tvth includes a gate electrode connected to the compensation control line <NUM>, a source electrode connected to the drain electrode of the driving transistor Td and the anode of the organic light emitting diode OLED, and a drain electrode connected to one terminal of the compensation capacitor Cvth and the gate electrode of the driving transistor Td. The compensation transistor Tvth is turned on according to the compensation control signal Gc transmitted through the compensation control line <NUM> such that the gate electrode and the drain electrode of the driving transistor Td are connected to each other, thereby diode-connecting the driving transistor Td.

A voltage corresponding to a threshold voltage of the driving thin film transistor Td is programmed in the compensation capacitor Cvth when the driving transistor Td is diode-connected.

The gate electrode of the switching thin film transistor Ts is connected to the gate line <NUM>, the source electrode of the switching thin film transistor Ts is connected to the data line <NUM>, and the drain electrode of the switching thin film transistor Ts is connected to the other terminal of the storage capacitor Cst and the other terminal of the compensation capacitor Cvth. The switching thin film transistor Ts is turned on according to the scan signal Sn transmitted through the gate line <NUM>.

One terminal of the storage capacitor Cst is connected to the driving voltage line <NUM>, and a gate-source voltage of the driving transistor Td is determined according to the programed voltage in the compensation capacitor Cvth and the storage capacitor Cst. The cathode of the organic light emitting diode OLED is connected to a common voltage line <NUM> transmitting a common voltage ELVSS.

The organic light emitting diode OLED emits light according to a driving current Id transmitted through the driving transistor Td from the driving voltage line <NUM>, and the driving current Id flows into the common voltage line <NUM>.

The present invention is not limited to the <NUM>-transistor and <NUM>-capacitor structure is described herein, and the number of transistors and capacitors may vary.

A detailed structure of an organic light emitting diode display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a substrate <NUM> may be formed as an insulating substrate including glass, quartz, ceramic, or a plastic. The substrate <NUM> may be made of a flexible material.

Also, a buffer layer <NUM> is formed on the substrate <NUM>. The buffer layer <NUM> may be formed over an entire surface of the substrate <NUM> throughout the display area DA and the peripheral area PA. The buffer layer <NUM> may be formed as a single layer of a silicon nitride (SiNx), or as a dual-layer structure in which a silicon nitride (SiNx) and a silicon oxide (SiOx) are stacked. The buffer layer <NUM> may prevent permeation of undesirable components such as impurities or moisture, and may also planarize the surface of the substrate <NUM>.

A switching semiconductor layer and a driving semiconductor layer 135b may be formed on the buffer layer <NUM> and may be separated from each other. Hereafter, the driving semiconductor layer 135b will be described.

The driving semiconductor layer 135b may be made of a polysilicon or an oxide semiconductor. The oxide semiconductor may include an oxide based on titanium (Ti), hafnium (Hf), zirconium (Zr), aluminum (Al), tantalum (Ta), germanium (Ge), zinc (Zn), gallium (Ga), tin (Sn), indium (In) such as zinc oxide (ZnO), indium-gallium-zinc oxide (InGaZnO4), indium zinc oxide (Zn-In-O), zinc-tin oxide (Zn-Sn-O), indium gallium oxide (In-Ga-O), indium-tin oxide (In-Sn-O), indium-zirconium oxide (In-Zr-O), indium-zirconium-zinc oxide (In-Zr-Zn-O), indium-zirconium-tin oxide (In-Zr-Sn-O), indium-zirconium-gallium oxide (In-Zr-Ga-O), indium-aluminum oxide (In-Al-O), indium-zinc-aluminum oxide (In-Zn-Al-O), indium-tin-aluminum oxide (In-Sn-Al-O), indium-aluminum-gallium oxide (In-Al-Ga-O), indium-tantalum oxide (In-Ta-O), indium-tantalum-zinc oxide (In-Ta-Zn-O), indium-tantalum-tin oxide (In-Ta-Sn-O), indium-tantalum-gallium oxide (In-Ta-Ga-O), indium-germanium oxide (In-Ge-O), indium-germanium-zinc oxide (In-Ge-Zn-O), indium-germanium-tin oxide (In-Ge-Sn-O), indium-germanium gallium oxide (In-Ge-Ga-O), titanium-indium-zinc oxide (Ti-In-Zn-O), and/or hafnium-indium-zinc oxide (Hf-In-Zn-O) which are complex oxides thereof.

When the driving semiconductor layer 135b is made of the oxide semiconductor, to protect the oxide semiconductor that is vulnerable to an external environment such as a high temperature, a separate passivation layer may be added.

The driving semiconductor layer 135b includes a channel area in which impurities are not doped, and a source area and a drain area in which impurities are doped at respective sides of the channel area. The impurities used may be selected according to a kind of thin film transistor being used, and may be, for example, N-type impurities or P-type impurities.

The driving semiconductor layer 135b is divided into a channel region <NUM>, a source region <NUM>, and a drain region <NUM>. The source region <NUM> and the drain region <NUM> are respectively formed at opposite sides of the channel region <NUM>.

The channel region <NUM> of the driving semiconductor layer 135b may include polycrystalline silicon in which no impurity is doped (an intrinsic semiconductor).

The source region <NUM> and the drain region <NUM> of the driving semiconductor layer 135b may include polycrystalline silicon in which a conductive impurity is doped (an impurity semiconductor).

A gate insulating layer <NUM> is formed on the driving semiconductor layer 135b. The gate insulating layer <NUM> may be a single layer or a multilayer including at least one of a silicon nitride and a silicon oxide.

A driving gate electrode 125b is formed on the gate insulating layer <NUM>.

The driving gate electrode 125b may be disposed on the driving semiconductor layer 135b. The driving gate electrode 125b may at least partially overlap the channel region <NUM>.

An interlayer insulating layer <NUM> is formed on the driving gate electrode 125b. The interlayer insulating layer <NUM> may be made of a silicon nitride or a silicon oxide.

The interlayer insulating layer <NUM> and the gate insulating layer <NUM> have a source contact hole <NUM> and a drain contact hole <NUM> respectively exposing the source region <NUM> and the drain region <NUM>. A driving source electrode 176b and a driving drain electrode 177b are formed on the interlayer insulating layer <NUM>.

The driving source electrode 176b is connected to the source region <NUM> through the source contact hole <NUM>. The driving drain electrode 177b faces the driving source electrode 176b.

The driving drain electrode 177b is connected to the drain region <NUM> through the drain contact hole <NUM>.

The driving semiconductor layer 135b, the driving gate electrode 125b, the driving source electrode 176b, and the driving drain electrode 177b form a driving thin film transistor T.

The driving thin film transistor T corresponds to a switching element. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the driving thin film transistor T may be formed in each sub-pixel of the organic light emitting diode display.

A planarization layer <NUM> is formed on the driving source electrode 176b and the driving drain electrode 177b. The planarization layer <NUM> serves to planarize a step and to thereby increase emission efficiency of the organic light emitting element that will be formed thereon.

The planarization layer <NUM> may be made of a polyacrylate resin, an epoxy resin, a phenolic resin, a polyamide resin, a polyimide resin, an unsaturated polyester resin, a polyphenylene ether resin, a polyphenylene sulfide resin, and/or benzocyclobutene (BCB). The planarization layer <NUM> may be an insulating layer.

As described above, the sub-pixel PX includes the display area DA and the peripheral area PA, and the display area DA may include the first electrode <NUM>, the organic emission layer <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM> so as to emit light.

A first electrode, e.g. a pixel electrode <NUM>, is formed on the planarization layer <NUM>. The pixel electrode <NUM> may be formed of a transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), or indium oxide (In2O3), or a reflective metal such as lithium (Li), calcium (Ca), lithium fluoride/calcium (LiF/Ca), lithium fluoride/aluminum (LiF/Al), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), or gold (Au). For example, the pixel electrode <NUM> may be formed by sequentially stacking ITO, Ag, and ITO.

The pixel electrode <NUM> is electrically connected to the driving drain electrode 177b of the thin film transistor T through a contact hole <NUM> formed in the planarization layer <NUM>, thereby constituting the anode of the organic light emitting element <NUM>.

A pixel definition layer <NUM> is formed on the planarization layer <NUM> and an edge of the pixel electrode <NUM>. The pixel definition layer <NUM> has a fourth opening <NUM> exposing the pixel electrode <NUM>. The pixel definition layer <NUM> may also have a third opening <NUM> exposing a part of an auxiliary member <NUM>, which is described in greater detail below.

The pixel definition layer <NUM> may be made of a resin such as a polyacrylate resin and a polyimide resin, a silica-based inorganic material, or the like.

An organic emission layer <NUM> is formed in the fourth opening <NUM> of the pixel definition layer <NUM>. The organic emission layer <NUM> is formed on the first electrode <NUM> exposed in the display area DA and also extends to the peripheral area PA. As shown in <FIG>, the organic emission layer <NUM> is also disposed in the third opening <NUM> of the pixel definition layer <NUM>.

The organic emission layer <NUM> has a multilayer structure including an emission layer and a hole-injection layer (HIL), a hole-transporting layer (HTL), electron-transporting layer (ETL), and/or an electron-injection layer (EIL).

When the organic emission layer <NUM> includes all of the above-mentioned layers, the hole injection layer may be disposed on the pixel electrode <NUM> to correspond to an anode, and the hole transporting layer, the emission layer, the electron transporting layer, and the electron injection layer may be sequentially stacked thereon.

The organic emission layer <NUM> may include a red emitting layer emitting red light, a green emitting layer emitting green light, and a blue emitting layer emitting blue light. The red emitting layer, the green emitting layer, and the blue emitting layer are respectively formed on a red pixel, a green pixel, and a blue pixel to implement a color image.

A second electrode (common electrode) <NUM>, is formed on the pixel definition layer <NUM> and the organic emission layer <NUM>. The common electrode <NUM> is formed as a single structure across the plurality of sub-pixels. For example, the common electrode <NUM> may be formed continuously throughout the red sub-pixel, the green sub-pixel, and the blue sub-pixel.

In addition, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the common electrode <NUM> extends to the peripheral area PA as well as the display area DA. Accordingly, the common electrode <NUM> is disposed on the organic emission layer <NUM> within the peripheral area PA.

The common electrode <NUM> may include a transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), or indium oxide (In2O3), or a reflective metal such as lithium (Li), calcium (Ca), lithium fluoride/calcium (LiF/Ca), lithium fluoride/aluminum (LiF/Al), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), or gold (Au).

The common electrode <NUM> acts as the cathode of the organic light emitting element <NUM>. As described above, the pixel electrode <NUM>, the organic emission layer <NUM>, and the common electrode <NUM> form the organic light emitting element <NUM>.

In the peripheral area PA of the sub-pixel PX, the auxiliary electrode <NUM> may be disposed on the interlayer insulating layer <NUM>. The auxiliary electrode <NUM> transmits a common voltage ELVSS to the common electrode <NUM>. The auxiliary electrode <NUM> may correspond to a common voltage line transmitting the common voltage ELVSS.

The auxiliary electrode <NUM> is exposed by a first opening <NUM> formed in the planarization layer <NUM>. A part of an upper surface of the auxiliary electrode <NUM> is exposed by the first opening <NUM>.

A cross-sectional shape of the first opening <NUM> may be rectangular.

Accordingly, the auxiliary electrode <NUM> may also be exposed with the rectangular shape.

The auxiliary electrode <NUM> may be formed of the same layer as the above-described driving source electrode 176b and driving drain electrode 177b. For example, the auxiliary electrode <NUM>, the driving source electrode 176b, and the driving drain electrode 177b may be formed by forming and patterning the same metal layer on the interlayer insulating layer <NUM>.

The auxiliary electrode <NUM> may have a multilayer structure in which metal layers including copper (Cu), copper alloys, aluminum (Al), aluminum alloys, molybdenum (Mo), and molybdenum alloys are stacked. For example, the auxiliary electrode <NUM> may have a triple-layer structure including titanium/aluminum/titanium (Ti/Al/Ti), molybdenum/aluminum/molybdenum (Mo/Al/Mo), or molybdenum/copper/molybdenum (Mo/Cu/Mo).

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an auxiliary member <NUM> that is in contact with the auxiliary electrode <NUM> is disposed on the auxiliary electrode <NUM>. The auxiliary member <NUM> is in contact with the auxiliary electrode <NUM>, thereby transmitting the common voltage ELVSS through the auxiliary electrode <NUM> to the common electrode <NUM>.

The auxiliary member <NUM> is in contact with the entire upper surface of the auxiliary electrode <NUM> exposed in the first opening <NUM>. For example, to not expose the planarization layer <NUM> between the auxiliary electrode <NUM> and the auxiliary member <NUM>, the auxiliary member <NUM> covers the entire upper surface of the auxiliary electrode <NUM>.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the auxiliary member <NUM> is only disposed within the first opening <NUM> of the planarization layer <NUM>. The auxiliary member <NUM> is in contact with a part of an interior circumference of the first opening <NUM>. For example, part of the auxiliary member <NUM> is not disposed at the upper surface of the planarization layer <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, if the planarization layer <NUM> is formed between an auxiliary member <NUM> and the auxiliary electrode <NUM>, in the process of forming a second opening <NUM> in the organic emission layer <NUM> by using a laser L, the auxiliary member <NUM> may be damaged.

For example, when the auxiliary member <NUM> is made of an first ITO layer <NUM>, a Ag layer <NUM>, and a second ITO layer <NUM>, while the auxiliary member <NUM> is bent to the side of the planarization layer <NUM> by the laser L, the first ITO layer <NUM>, the Ag layer <NUM>, and the second ITO layer <NUM> may each be cut (F). Accordingly, while the remaining gas component in the planarization layer <NUM> of the organic layer is discharged through the cut region (F), the common electrode <NUM> may be oxidized. If the common electrode <NUM> is oxidized, the organic emission layer <NUM> might not emit light.

Referring to <FIG>, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as the auxiliary member <NUM> is disposed to be in contact with the exposed entire upper surface of the auxiliary electrode <NUM>, the auxiliary member <NUM> may be prevented from being bent in the lower direction and damaged by the laser L. Accordingly, the oxidization of the common electrode <NUM> is prevented and generation of a dark spot of the organic light emitting diode display due to lack of emission of the organic emission layer <NUM> may be prevented.

The auxiliary electrode <NUM> of the metal material disposed under the auxiliary member <NUM> serves to support the auxiliary member <NUM>.

As the auxiliary member <NUM> is in contact with the entire upper surface of the auxiliary electrode <NUM>, a contact area of the auxiliary member <NUM> and the auxiliary electrode <NUM> increases such that resistance of the wire to which the common voltage is transmitted may be reduced. Accordingly, in the organic light emitting diode display, the voltage drop (IR-Drop) may be prevented and accordingly, the luminance may remain uniform.

The auxiliary member <NUM> may be formed of the same layer as the first electrode <NUM>. The auxiliary member <NUM> may be made of a transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), or indium oxide (In2O3), or a reflective metal such as lithium (Li), calcium (Ca), lithium fluoride/calcium (LiF/Ca), lithium fluoride/aluminum (LiF/Al), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), or gold (Au). For example, the auxiliary member <NUM> may be formed by sequentially stacking ITO, Ag, and ITO.

In <FIG>, the auxiliary member <NUM> is disposed within the first opening <NUM>, however part of an auxiliary member may be disposed at the upper surface of the planarization layer <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the auxiliary member <NUM> fills the first opening <NUM> of the planarization layer <NUM>, and a part thereof may be disposed at the upper surface of the planarization layer <NUM>.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the organic emission layer <NUM> is disposed on the auxiliary member <NUM> in the peripheral area PA. In the organic emission layer <NUM>, a second opening <NUM> exposing part of the underlying auxiliary member <NUM> is formed. The second opening <NUM> of the organic emission layer <NUM> is formed by the laser L. After the organic emission layer <NUM> is coated on the auxiliary member <NUM>, the organic emission layer <NUM> is irradiated by the laser L in the region where the auxiliary member <NUM> and the auxiliary electrode <NUM> are overlapped with each other.

By the laser L, the second opening <NUM> is formed in the organic emission layer <NUM>. The cross-sectional shape of the second opening <NUM> may be circular.

A diameter H2 of the second opening <NUM> may be smaller than a width H1 of the first opening <NUM>. However, the, diameter H2 of the second opening <NUM> may be formed to be equal to the width H1 of the first opening <NUM> (embodiment not forming part of the claimed invention). If the diameter H2 of the second opening <NUM> increases, the contact area of the auxiliary member <NUM> and the overlying second electrode <NUM> may increase. As described above, if the contact area increases, the resistance of the wire transmitting the common voltage may be reduced.

In the peripheral area PA, a second electrode <NUM> is formed on the organic emission layer <NUM>. The second electrode <NUM> is in contact with the auxiliary member <NUM> through the second opening <NUM>. Accordingly, the second electrode <NUM> may be electrically connected to the auxiliary member <NUM> and the auxiliary electrode <NUM>. Therefore, the common voltage ELVSS supplied through the auxiliary electrode <NUM> may be supplied to the second electrode <NUM> through the auxiliary member <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing the organic light emitting diode display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described. When describing the manufacturing method of the organic light emitting diode display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it may be understood that like elements may be similar to or identical to corresponding elements that were already described, and accordingly, repeated description of these elements may be omitted.

First, as shown in <FIG>, a thin film transistor T is formed on a substrate <NUM>. The thin film transistor T may be the switching thin film transistor or the driving thin film transistor.

The thin film transistor T includes a semiconductor layer 135b, a gate electrode 125b, a source electrode 176b, and a drain electrode 177b. The gate electrode 125b is spaced apart from the semiconductor layer 135b. The source electrode 176b and the drain electrode 177b are disposed above the gate electrode 125b.

An auxiliary electrode <NUM> is simultaneously formed with the source electrode 176b and the drain electrode 177b. After coating the metal layer on the interlayer insulating layer <NUM>, a photolithography process is performed on the metal layer to form the auxiliary electrode <NUM>, and to divide the source electrode 176b and the drain electrode 177b.

Next, a planarization layer <NUM> is formed on the source electrode 176b and drain electrode 177b, and the auxiliary electrode <NUM>.

Also, referring to <FIG>, by the patterning process, a first opening <NUM> exposing part of the auxiliary electrode <NUM> and a contact hole <NUM> exposing part of the drain electrode 177b are formed in the planarization layer <NUM>.

The cross-sectional shape of the first opening <NUM> may be rectangular.

Accordingly, the exposed auxiliary electrode <NUM> may be exposed with the rectangular shape.

Next, a first electrode <NUM> and an auxiliary member <NUM> are formed on the planarization layer <NUM>, thereby the first electrode <NUM> is in contact with the drain electrode 177b and the auxiliary member <NUM> is in contact with the auxiliary electrode <NUM>. The auxiliary member <NUM> is in contact with the entire upper surface of the auxiliary electrode <NUM> exposed by the first opening <NUM>.

The first electrode <NUM> and the auxiliary member <NUM> are formed with the same layer. For example, after the same metal layer is formed on the planarization layer <NUM>, the photolithography process is performed on the metal layer to form the first electrode <NUM> and to divide the auxiliary member <NUM>.

Next, as shown in <FIG>, a pixel definition layer <NUM> is formed on the planarization layer <NUM>. In the pixel definition layer <NUM>, a third opening <NUM> exposing part of the auxiliary member <NUM> and a fourth opening <NUM> exposing part of the first electrode <NUM> are formed.

Next, an organic emission layer <NUM> is coated on the pixel definition layer <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the organic emission layer <NUM> is formed in the display area DA and the peripheral area PA. The organic emission layer <NUM> is disposed inside the third opening <NUM> and the fourth opening <NUM> of the pixel definition layer <NUM> to cover the auxiliary member <NUM> and the first electrode <NUM>, respectively.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, after coating the organic emission layer <NUM>, part of the organic emission layer <NUM> is removed to expose part of the auxiliary member <NUM> in the peripheral area PA. If part of the organic emission layer <NUM> is removed, a second opening <NUM> is formed in the organic emission layer <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, part of the organic emission layer <NUM> is removed by using the laser L to form the second opening <NUM>. After the laser L is positioned at a center part of the region where the auxiliary member <NUM> and the auxiliary electrode <NUM> are overlapped, the organic emission layer <NUM> is irradiated by the laser L. The second opening <NUM> formed in the organic emission layer <NUM> may be made with a circular shape by the laser L.

As described above, as the auxiliary electrode <NUM> is disposed to be in contact under the auxiliary member <NUM>, the auxiliary member <NUM> might not be bent down and damaged by the laser L.

Next, the second electrode <NUM> is formed on the organic emission layer <NUM>. The second electrode <NUM> may be in contact with the auxiliary member <NUM> through the second opening <NUM>. Accordingly, the second electrode <NUM> may be electrically connected to the auxiliary member <NUM> and the auxiliary electrode <NUM>. Therefore, the common voltage ELVSS supplied through the auxiliary electrode <NUM> may be supplied to the second electrode <NUM> through the auxiliary member <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An organic light emitting diode display comprising:
a substrate (<NUM>);
a pixel formed on the substrate (<NUM>) and including a display area (DA) displaying an image and a peripheral area (PA) adjacent to the display area (DA);
an insulating layer at the display area (DA) and the peripheral area (PA) on the substrate (<NUM>);
a first electrode (<NUM>) at the display area (DA) on the insulating layer;
an organic emission layer (<NUM>) on the first electrode (<NUM>) and extending to the peripheral area (PA);
a second electrode (<NUM>) on the organic emission layer (<NUM>) and disposed in the display area (DA) and the peripheral area (PA);
an auxiliary electrode (<NUM>) in the peripheral area (PA) on the substrate (<NUM>) and partially exposed by a first opening (<NUM>) formed in the insulating layer; and
an auxiliary member (<NUM>, <NUM>) on the auxiliary electrode (<NUM>) and in contact with an upper surface of the auxiliary electrode (<NUM>) exposed by the first opening (<NUM>);
wherein the auxiliary member (<NUM>, <NUM>) is disposed to be in contact with the exposed entire upper surface of the auxiliary electrode (<NUM>)characterized in that
a portion of the organic emission layer (<NUM>) continuously extended from the display area (DA) overlaps the auxiliary member (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the auxiliary electrode (<NUM>);
the auxiliary electrode (<NUM>) is disposed to be in contact under the auxiliary member (<NUM>, <NUM>);
the organic emission layer (<NUM>) is disposed on the auxiliary member (<NUM>, <NUM>) in the first opening (<NUM>) and has a second opening (<NUM>) exposing part of the auxiliary member (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
the auxiliary member (<NUM>, <NUM>) is not bent in a lower direction,
wherein the auxiliary member (<NUM>, <NUM>) covers the first opening (<NUM>) of the insulating layer, and
wherein the second electrode (<NUM>) is in contact with the auxiliary member (<NUM>, <NUM>) through the second opening (<NUM>).