Patent ID: 12219791

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure will be described hereinafter in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments.

When a large-size OLED display device has a top emission structure, a cathode layer needs to be made of a transparent material to prevent light output of the display device from being adversely affected. However, the transparent material has a relatively large square resistance, so an IR drop of the cathode layer may increase.

With reference toFIGS.1-4, the present disclosure provides in some embodiments a display substrate, which includes: a substrate10, and a compensation electrode20, an auxiliary electrode30, a light-emitting functional layer40and a cathode layer50arranged on one side of the substrate10.

The auxiliary electrode30is arranged on one side of the compensation electrode20away from the substrate10, and coupled to the compensation electrode20. A first notch X is formed in a side face of the auxiliary electrode30, and at least a part of the first notch X extends in a direction parallel to the substrate10. The light-emitting functional layer40is arranged on the side of the auxiliary electrode30away from the substrate10, and interrupted at the first notch X. The cathode layer50is arranged on one side of the light-emitting functional layer40away from the substrate10, and coupled to the auxiliary electrode30at the first notch X.

Illustratively, the compensation electrode20is made of a conductive material. Illustratively, the compensation electrode20includes a plurality of metal layers laminated one on another in a direction perpendicular to the substrate10, and adjacent metal layers are made of different materials.

Illustratively, the compensation electrode20includes a compensation line.

Illustratively, the auxiliary electrode30is arranged on one side of the compensation electrode20away from the substrate10, and an insulation layer is formed between the auxiliary electrode30and the compensation electrode20. The insulation layer includes a passivation layer PVX and a planarization layer PLN, and the passivation layer PVX is arranged between the substrate10and the planarization layer PLN. Illustratively, the auxiliary electrode30is coupled to the compensation electrode20via a through hole penetrating through the insulation layer.

Illustratively, the first notch X is formed in the side surface of the auxiliary electrode30, at least a part of the first notch X extends in the direction parallel to the substrate10, and an orthogonal projection of the first notch X onto the substrate10is of an H-like shape.

Illustratively, the light-emitting functional layer40includes a light-emitting functional layer40capable of emitting white light. During the manufacture, the light-emitting functional layer40is entirely evaporated, and it is interrupted at the first notch X to expose a part of the auxiliary electrode30at the first notch X.

Illustratively, the light-emitting functional layer40includes at least an organic light-emitting material layer. Further, in addition to the organic light-emitting material layer, the light-emitting functional layer40further includes an election transport layer (ETL), an election injection layer (EIL), a hole transport layer (HTL), and a hole injection layer (HIL). At least one of the organic light-emitting material layer, the ETL, the EIL, the HTL and the HIL are evaporated as an entire surface.

Illustratively, the cathode layer50is formed on the one of the light-emitting functional layer40away from the substrate10, and it is coupled to the exposed auxiliary electrode30at the first notch X. Illustratively, the cathode layer50is made of an indium zinc oxide such that the cathode layer50has high mobility and controllable resistivity.

Based on the above-mentioned structure of the display substrate, the first notch X is formed in the side surface of the auxiliary electrode30, and the organic light-emitting functional layer is interrupted at the first notch X to expose a part of the auxiliary electrode30at the first notch X, so that the subsequently-formed cathode layer50is coupled to the auxiliary electrode30at the first notch X, thereby to enable the cathode layer to be indirectly coupled to the compensation electrode20. Hence, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the cathode layer50is coupled to the compensation electrode20through the auxiliary electrode30, so as to reduce a resistance, as well as an IR drop, of the cathode layer50.

Furthermore, the light-emitting functional layer40has a weak diffusion ability and the cathode layer50has a strong diffusion ability, after the light-emitting functional layer40has been interrupted at the first notch X, it is able to expose a part of the auxiliary electrode30at the first notch X. In addition, when the cathode layer50has a strong diffusion ability, it is able to achieve well coupling performance of the cathode layer50with the exposed auxiliary electrode30at the first notch X. Hence, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is able to ensure an overlapping success rate between the cathode layer50and the auxiliary cathode, thereby to effectively reduce the IR drop of the cathode layer50.

In addition, at least a part of the first notch X extends in the direction parallel to the substrate10so as to provide a large contact area between the cathode layer50and the auxiliary electrode30at the first notch X, thereby to further ensure the overlapping success rate between the cathode layer50and the auxiliary cathode, and effectively reduce the IR drop of the cathode layer50.

As shown inFIGS.1and4, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the auxiliary electrode30includes a first electrode layer301, a second electrode layer302and a third electrode layer303laminated one on another in the direction away from the substrate10, and the first notch X is formed in the side surface of the auxiliary electrode30between the first electrode layer301and the third electrode layer303. The first electrode layer301is coupled to the compensation electrode20.

The light-emitting functional layer40includes a first portion401and a second portion402separated from each other at the first notch X. The first portion401is arranged on a side of the third electrode layer303away from the substrate10, the second portion402is arranged on a side of the first electrode layer301away from the substrate10, and a spacer region is formed between the second portion402and the second electrode layer302arranged at the first notch X. The cathode layer50is coupled to the first electrode layer301at the spacer region.

Illustratively, the first electrode layer301and the third electrode layer303are both made of an indium tin oxide, and the second electrode layer302is made of aluminum.

Illustratively, the first electrode layer301is formed through one patterning process, and the second electrode layer302and the third electrode layer303are simultaneously formed through another patterning process.

Illustratively, the first electrode layer301is annealed after the formation of the first electrode layer301so as to crystallize the first electrode layer301, thereby to avoid the first electrode layer301from being adversely affected during a subsequent process of forming the second electrode layer302and the third electrode layer303.

Illustratively, the second electrode layer302and the third electrode layer303are specifically formed as follows.

A second electrode material layer and a third electrode material layer are laminated one on another on a side of the first electrode layer301away from the substrate10. Next, a photoresist is applied onto a side of the third electrode material layer away from the substrate10, and then exposed to form a photoresist reserved region and a photoresist unreserved region. The photoresist reserved region corresponds to a region where the third electrode layer303is arranged and the photoresist unreserved region corresponds to the other region. Then, the photoresist at the photoresist unreserved region is developed and removed, and the second electrode material layer and the third electrode material layer are etched with the photoresist at the photoresist reserved region as a mask. The second electrode material layer is etched at an etching rate different from the third electrode material layer, so a boundary of the third electrode layer303goes beyond a boundary of the second electrode layer302in the direction parallel to the substrate10. In this way, it is able to form the first notch X between the first electrode layer301and the third electrode layer303.

Illustratively, the second electrode layer302has a thickness of 3000 Å and 8000 Å in a direction perpendicular to the substrate10, with endpoints inclusive. Illustratively, as shown inFIG.1, a thickness H2of the second electrode layer302is greater than a thickness H1of the light-emitting functional layer40in the direction perpendicular to the substrate10, so as to enable the light-emitting functional layer40to be interrupted at the first notch X.

Illustratively, when forming the light-emitting functional layer40through evaporation, the light-emitting functional layer40is interrupted at the first notch X to form the first portion401and the second portion402. The first portion401is arranged on a side of the third electrode layer303away from the substrate10, at least a part of the second part402is arranged on a surface of the first electrode layer301away from the substrate10, and the spacer region is formed between at least a part of the second part402and the second electrode layer302arranged at the first notch X, and the first electrode layer301is exposed at the spacer region. Then, the cathode layer50is formed through evaporation in such a manner that the cathode layer50overlaps the first electrode layer301at the spacer region, so as to enable the cathode layer50to be coupled to the compensation electrode20through the auxiliary electrode30.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, when the auxiliary electrode30includes the first electrode layer301, the second electrode layer302and the third electrode layer303and the spacer region is formed between the light-emitting functional layer40and the second electrode layer302, it is able for the cathode layer50to overlap the first electrode layer301at the spacer region, thereby to enable the cathode layer50to be coupled to the compensation electrode20.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first electrode layer301is provided with an opening, an orthogonal projection of the opening onto the substrate at least partially overlaps an orthogonal projection of the spacer region onto the substrate, and the cathode layer50is directly coupled to the compensation electrode20through the opening at the spacer region.

Illustratively, the orthogonal projection of the opening onto the substrate coincides with the orthogonal projection of the spacer region onto the substrate.

Illustratively, the orthogonal projection of the opening onto the substrate is surrounded by the orthogonal projection of the spacer region onto the substrate.

Through the above-mentioned arrangement, the cathode layer50is directly coupled to the compensation electrode20through the opening at the spacer region, it is able to further improve the connection performance between the cathode layer50and the compensation electrode20.

As shown inFIG.1, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the cathode layer50is coupled to the second electrode layer302at the spacer region.

Through the above-mentioned arrangement, it is able to ensure the overlapping success rate between the cathode layer50and the auxiliary cathode in a better manner, thereby to effectively reduce the IR drop of the cathode layer50.

As shown inFIGS.1-4, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, an orthogonal projection of the second electrode layer302onto the substrate10is surrounded by an orthogonal projection of the third electrode layer303onto the substrate10, and/or the orthogonal projection of the third electrode layer303onto the substrate10is surrounded by the orthogonal projection of the first electrode layer301onto the substrate10.

Illustratively, the orthogonal projection of the second electrode layer302onto the substrate10is surrounded by an orthogonal projection of the first electrode layer301onto the substrate10.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, when the orthogonal projection of the second electrode layer302onto the substrate10is surrounded by the orthogonal projection of the third electrode layer303onto the substrate10, the first notch X extends along the entire boundary of the second electrode layer302. At the same time, when the orthogonal projection of the third electrode layer303onto the substrate10is surrounded by the orthogonal projection of the first electrode layer301onto the substrate10, the cathode layer50is coupled to the first electrode layer301at any position of the first notch X. Hence, it is able to effectively increase an overlapping area between the cathode layer50and the first electrode layer301, and ensure the overlapping success rate between the cathode layer50and the auxiliary cathode in a better manner, thereby to effectively reduce the IR drop of the cathode layer50.

As shown inFIGS.3,4,14and15, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the orthogonal projection of the second electrode layer302onto the substrate10is of an H-like shape and the orthogonal projection of the third electrode layer303onto the substrate10is of an H-like shape.

Through the above-mentioned arrangement, the orthogonal projection of the first notch X onto the substrate10is provided with an H-like shape, and an extension length of the first notch X greatly increases. In this way, it is able to maximize an overlapping edge of the cathode layer50with the first electrode layer301, increase the overlapping area, improve the overlapping success rate between the cathode layer50and the auxiliary cathode, reduce the overlapping resistance, and effectively reduce the IR drop of the cathode layer50.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the display substrate further includes an anode layer80. The anode layer80includes a plurality of anode patterns, and each anode pattern includes a first anode sub-pattern, a second anode sub-pattern, and a third anode sub-pattern laminated one on another in the direction away from the substrate. A second notch is formed in a side surface of the anode pattern80between the first anode sub-pattern and the third anode sub-pattern.

It should be appreciated that,FIG.15shows the third anode sub-pattern70arranged at a same layer as the third electrode layer303.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first anode sub-pattern and the third anode sub-pattern are made of indium tin oxide, and the second anode sub-pattern is made of aluminum.

Since the second anode sub-pattern is etched at an etching rate different from the third anode sub-pattern, a boundary of the third anode sub-pattern goes beyond a boundary of the second anode sub-pattern in the direction parallel to the substrate10, so that the second notch is formed between the first anode sub-pattern and the third anode sub-pattern.

Through the above-mentioned arrangement, each anode pattern includes the first anode sub-pattern, the second anode sub-pattern and the third anode sub-pattern laminated one on another in the direction away from the substrate, so it is able to effectively improve signal transmission performance of the anode pattern.

As shown inFIGS.10,11and13, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the display substrate further includes a data line layer, and the anode layer80is arranged on a side of the data line layer away from the substrate10. The compensation electrode20is arranged at a same layer and made of a same material as a data line Data, the first electrode layer301is arranged at a same layer and made of a same material as the first anode sub-pattern, the second electrode layer302is arranged at a same layer and made of a same material as the second anode sub-pattern, and the third electrode layer303is arranged at a same layer and made of a same material as the third anode sub-pattern.

Illustratively, the data line layer includes a plurality of data lines Data each configured to provide a data signal to sub-pixels in the display substrate.

Illustratively, the anode layer80includes the plurality of anode patterns corresponding to a plurality of sub-pixels in the display substrate respectively, and each anode pattern is a part of a corresponding sub-pixel. The anode pattern is coupled to a sub-pixel driving circuitry in the corresponding sub-pixel, and configured to receive a driving signal from the corresponding sub-pixel driving circuitry.

As shown inFIG.4, illustratively, the display substrate includes a buffer layer BF, an active layer, a first gate insulation layer, a first gate metal layer, an interlayer insulation layer, a source/drain metal layer, a passivation layer PVX, a planarization layer PLN, the anode layer80, a pixel definition layer PDL, the second electrode layer302, the third electrode layer303, the light-emitting functional layer40, and the cathode layer50laminated one on another in the direction away from the substrate10. The above-mentioned film layers are sequentially formed.

As shown inFIG.11, illustratively, the source/drain metal layer includes the compensation electrode20and the data line Data. The compensation electrode20is arranged at a same layer and made of a same material as the data line Data, so as to form the compensation electrode20and the data line Data through a single patterning process, thereby to simplify a manufacturing process of the display substrate and reduce the manufacture cost of the display substrate.

As shown inFIG.13, the first electrode layer301is arranged at a same layer and made of a same material as the first anode sub-pattern, the second electrode layer302is arranged at a same layer and made of a same material as the second anode sub-pattern, and the third electrode layer303is arranged at a same layer and made of a same material as the third anode sub-pattern, so that the first electrode layer301and the first anode sub-pattern are formed through a single patterning process, the second electrode layer302and the second anode sub-pattern are formed through a single patterning process, and the third electrode layer303and the third anode sub-pattern are formed through a single patterning process. In this way, it is able to simplify the manufacturing process of the display substrate and reduce the manufacture cost of the display substrate.

As shown inFIGS.4,5,9and12, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the display substrate further includes the passivation layer PVX and the planarization layer PLN. The passivation layer PVX is arranged between the substrate10and the planarization layer PLN, the passivation layer PVX is provided with a first through hole Via1, the planarization layer PLN is provided with a second through hole Via2, an orthogonal projection of the first through hole Via1onto the substrate10at least partially overlaps an orthogonal projection of the second through hole Via2onto the substrate10;

At least a part of the first notch X is arranged on a side of the planarization layer PLN away from the substrate10, the orthogonal projection of the first notch X onto the substrate10overlaps the orthogonal projection of the second through hole Via2onto the substrate10and an orthogonal projection of the planarization layer PLN onto the substrate10.

The orthogonal projection of a part of the first electrode layer301onto the substrate10overlaps the orthogonal projection of the second through hole Via2onto the substrate10, and the part of the first electrode layer301is coupled to the compensation electrode20through the first through hole Via1.

Illustratively, the orthogonal projection of the second through hole Via2onto the substrate10surrounds the orthogonal projection of the first through hole Via1onto the substrate10.

Illustratively, after the formation of the passivation layer PVX and the planarization layer PLN, the first electrode layer301, the second electrode layer302, and the third electrode layer303are formed, the orthogonal projection of a part of the first electrode layer301onto the substrate10overlaps the orthogonal projection of the second through hole Via2onto the substrate10, and the orthogonal projection of another part of the first electrode layer301onto the substrate10overlaps the orthogonal projection of the planarization layer PLN onto the substrate10.

Illustratively, the orthogonal projection of the first electrode layer301onto the substrate10surrounds the orthogonal projection of the second through hole Via2onto the substrate10.

Illustratively, the orthogonal projection of the second electrode layer302onto the substrate10overlaps the orthogonal projection of the second through hole Via2onto the substrate10and the orthogonal projection of the planarization layer PLN onto the substrate10.

Illustratively, the orthogonal projection of the third electrode layer303onto the substrate10overlaps the orthogonal projection of the second through hole Via2onto the substrate10and the orthogonal projection of the planarization layer PLN onto the substrate10.

Through the above-mentioned arrangement, the orthogonal projection of the first notch X onto the substrate10overlaps the orthogonal projection of the second through hole Via2onto the substrate10and the orthogonal projection of the planarization layer PLN onto the substrate10, so that the first notch X extends along a wall of the second through hole Via2, and the extension length of the first notch X greatly increases. In this way, it is able to effectively increase the overlapping area between the cathode layer50and the first electrode layer301, ensure the overlapping success rate between the cathode layer50and the auxiliary cathodes, reduce the contact resistance, and reduce the IR drop of the cathode layer50.

Hence, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, depending on the manufacturing process of the auxiliary electrode30and an overlapping principle, it is able to optimize the overlapping of the auxiliary electrode30, thereby to ensure the overlapping success rate and effectively reduce the IR Drop of the cathode layer50.

As shown inFIGS.9and10, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the display substrate further includes a plurality of pixel units60arranged in an array form on the substrate10. The plurality of pixel units60is divided into a plurality of pixel unit groups, and each pixel unit group includes at least one pixel unit60.

The display substrate includes a plurality of compensation electrodes20corresponding to the plurality of pixel unit groups respectively, and each compensation electrode20extends along a first direction.

The plurality of pixel unit groups includes a target pixel unit group, the cathode layer50includes a target portion covering the target pixel unit group. The target portion is coupled to the compensation electrode20corresponding to the target pixel unit group through the first electrode layer301of at least one auxiliary electrode30.

Illustratively, the display substrate further includes a plurality of power supply lines VDD corresponding to the plurality of pixel unit groups respectively, and adjacent power supply lines VDD are coupled to each other in the first direction to form an integral structure.

Illustratively, the power supply line VDD is arranged on one side of the corresponding pixel group unit.

Illustratively, the plurality of pixel units60is divided into a plurality of pixel group units arranged in an array form. Illustratively, the pixel unit group include a plurality of pixel units60arranged along a second direction crossing the first direction.

Illustratively, the cathode layer50is an entire layer capable of covering the entire display substrate. The cathode layer50includes a plurality of cathode portions corresponding to the plurality of pixel units respectively, and each cathode portion covers a corresponding pixel unit. Illustratively, the plurality of cathode portions is formed as an integral structure. Illustratively, the target portion includes a cathode portion corresponding to each pixel unit in the target pixel unit group.

When the target portion is coupled to the compensation electrode20corresponding to the target pixel unit group through the first electrode layer301of at least one auxiliary electrode30, one compensation electrode20at least one auxiliary electrode30are shared by the pixel units in the target pixel unit group, so as to reduce the difficulty in the layout of the compensation electrodes20and the auxiliary electrodes30, and effectively reduce the IR drop of the cathode layer50.

As shown inFIGS.9and10, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, each pixel unit group include two pixel units60arranged along the second direction crossing the first direction, the orthogonal projection of the compensation electrode20onto the substrate10is arranged between the orthogonal projections of the two pixel units60in the corresponding pixel unit group onto the substrate10.

Illustratively, the first direction includes a vertical direction and the second direction includes a horizontal direction.

Illustratively, each pixel unit includes at least two sub-pixels arranged along the second direction, each sub-pixel includes a sub-pixel driving circuitry, and the orthogonal projection of the compensation electrode20onto the substrate10is arranged between orthogonal projections of the sub-pixel driving circuitries of the two sub-pixels onto the substrate10.

When the orthogonal projection of the compensation electrode20onto the substrate10is arranged between the orthogonal projections of two pixel units in the corresponding pixel unit group onto the substrate10, it is able to ensure the distribution uniformity of the compensation electrodes20and the auxiliary electrodes30, thereby to reduce the difficulty in the layout of the compensation electrodes20and the auxiliary electrodes30, band effectively reduce the IR drop of the cathode layer50.

More specifically, each pixel unit group include two pixel units arranged along the second direction, namely, the two pixel units share one auxiliary electrode30and one compensation electrode20, and the corresponding cathode portions of the two pixel units overlap the compensation electrode20via the auxiliary electrode30. In this case, a density of the auxiliary electrodes30is Pixel2_1, i.e., the two pixel units share one auxiliary electrode30and one compensation electrode20.

In the case that the density of the auxiliary electrodes30is Pixel1_1, namely, one pixel unit corresponds to one auxiliary electrode30and one compensation electrode20, and in the case that the density of the auxiliary electrodes30is Pixel4_1, namely, four pixel units correspond to one auxiliary electrode30and one compensation electrode20, and in the case that the density of the auxiliary electrodes30is Pixel9_1, namely, nine pixel units correspond to one auxiliary electrode30and one compensation electrode20, a simulation result of the IR drop of the cathode layer50is obtained, and as shown inFIGS.6and7, the IR drop is reduced most effectively in the case of Pixel2_1and Pixel1_1. Considering a layout space, Pixel2_1is an optimal mode. In this mode, it is able to effectively reduce the IR drop of the cathode layer50and provide a large-size OLED top-emission display substrate with an excellent display effect. It should be appreciated that, inFIG.7, an x-axis represents a square resistance of the cathode layer50, and a y-axis represents voltage.

As shown inFIGS.10and11, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the display substrate further includes a plurality of sensing lines SL corresponding to the plurality of pixel unit groups respectively, and an orthogonal projection of each sensing line SL onto the substrate10is arranged between the orthogonal projections of two pixel units in the corresponding pixel unit group onto the substrate10.

The compensation electrode20and the sensing line SL corresponding to a same pixel unit group are arranged at intervals at a same layer, and the orthogonal projection of the second electrode layer302of the auxiliary electrode30onto the substrate10overlaps the orthogonal projection of the compensation electrode20onto the substrate10and the orthogonal projection of the sensing line SL onto the substrate10.

Through the above-mentioned arrangement, it is able to improve the layout of the auxiliary electrodes30and reduce the difficulty in the layout of the auxiliary electrodes30.

As shown inFIG.10, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the compensation electrodes20corresponding to the pixel unit groups in a same column are sequentially coupled to each other along the first direction.

Illustratively, the plurality of pixel unit groups is arranged in an array form and divided into a plurality of columns of pixel unit groups. The pixel unit groups in each column includes a plurality of pixel unit groups arranged along the first direction, and the compensation electrodes20corresponding to the pixel unit groups in each column are sequentially coupled to each other to form an integral structure.

When the compensation electrodes20corresponding to the pixel unit groups arranged in a same column are sequentially coupled to each other in the first direction, it is able to reduce the IR drop of the cathode layer50in a better manner.

As shown inFIGS.8and10, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the pixel unit includes at least two sub-pixels601arranged along the second direction crossing the first direction.

Each sub-pixel601includes a sub-pixel driving circuitry and a light-emitting element, and the sub-pixel driving circuitry includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, and a storage capacitor.

A gate electrode of the first transistor is coupled to a second electrode of the second transistor, a first electrode of the first transistor is coupled to a power supply line of the display substrate, and a second electrode of the first transistor is coupled to the light-emitting element.

A gate electrode of the second transistor is coupled to a corresponding scanning line of the display substrate, and a first electrode of the second transistor is coupled to a corresponding data line Data.

A gate electrode of the third transistor is coupled to a corresponding scanning line of the display substrate, a first electrode of the third transistor is coupled to the second electrode of the first transistor, and a second electrode of the third transistor is coupled to a corresponding sensing lines SL.

A first plate of the storage capacitor is coupled to the gate electrode of the first transistor, and a second plate of the storage capacitor is coupled to the second electrode of the first transistor.

Specifically, the sub-pixel driving circuitry includes a first transistor T1, a second transistor T2, a third transistor T3, and a storage capacitor Cst. A first electrode D1of the first transistor T1is coupled to the power supply line VDD, a gate electrode G1of the first transistor T1is coupled to a first plate of the storage capacitor Cst, and a second electrode S1of the first transistor T1is coupled to a second plate of the storage capacitor Cst. A gate electrode G2of the second transistor T2is coupled to a corresponding scanning line G(n), a first electrode D2of the second transistor T2is coupled to a corresponding data line Data, and a second electrode S2of the second transistor T2is coupled to the gate electrode G1of the first transistor T1. A gate G3of the third transistor T3is coupled to a corresponding scanning line G(n+), a second electrode S3of the third transistor T3is coupled to a sensing lines SL, and a first electrode D3of the third transistor T3is coupled to the second electrode S1of the first transistor T1. An anode of the light-emitting element OLED is coupled to the second electrode S1of the first transistor T1and a cathode of the light-emitting element OLED is coupled to a negative power supply pole VSS.

The present disclosure further provides in some embodiments a display device which includes the above-mentioned display substrate.

According to the display substrate in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first notch X is formed in the side surface of the auxiliary electrode30, and the organic light-emitting functional layer is interrupted at the first notch X to expose a part of the auxiliary electrode30at the first notch X, so that the subsequently-formed cathode layer50is coupled to the auxiliary electrode30at the first notch X, thereby to enable the cathode layer to be indirectly coupled to the compensation electrode20. Hence, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the cathode layer50is coupled to the compensation electrode20through the auxiliary electrode30, so as to reduce a resistance, as well as an IR drop, of the cathode layer50.

Furthermore, the light-emitting functional layer40has a weak diffusion ability and the cathode layer50has a strong diffusion ability, after the light-emitting functional layer40has been interrupted at the first notch X, it is able to expose a part of the auxiliary electrode30at the first notch X. In addition, when the cathode layer50has a strong diffusion ability, it is able to achieve well coupling performance of the cathode layer50with the exposed auxiliary electrode30at the first notch X. Hence, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is able to ensure an overlapping success rate between the cathode layer50and the auxiliary cathode, thereby to effectively reduce the IR drop of the cathode layer50. In addition, at least a part of the first notch X extends in the direction parallel to the substrate10so as to provide a large contact area between the cathode layer50and the auxiliary electrode30at the first notch X, thereby to further ensure the overlapping success rate between the cathode layer50and the auxiliary cathode, and effectively reduce the IR drop of the cathode layer50.

When the display device includes the above-mentioned display substrate, it is also able to achieve the above-mentioned beneficial effect, which will not be particularly defined herein.

It should be appreciated that, the display device may be any product or member having a display function, such as television, display, digital photo frame, mobile phone and tablet computer.

The present disclosure further provides in some embodiments a method for manufacturing the display substrate, which includes: forming the compensation electrode20on one side of the substrate10; forming the auxiliary electrode30on one side of the compensation electrode20away from the substrate10, the auxiliary electrode30being coupled to the compensation electrode20, the first notch X being formed in a side surface of the auxiliary electrode30, and at least a part of the first notch X extending in a direction parallel to the substrate; forming the light-emitting functional layer40on a side of the auxiliary electrode30away from the substrate10, the light-emitting functional layer40being interrupted at the first notch X; and forming the cathode layer50on one side of the light-emitting functional layer40away from the substrate10, the cathode layer50being coupled to the auxiliary electrode30at the first notch X.

Illustratively, the compensation electrode20is made of a conductive material. Illustratively, the compensation electrode20includes a plurality of metal layers laminated one on another in a direction perpendicular to the substrate10, and adjacent metal layers are made of different materials.

Illustratively, after the formation of the compensation electrode20, the passivation layer PVX and the planarization layer PLN are formed, and then the auxiliary electrode30is formed on a side of the planarization layer PLN away from the substrate10. The auxiliary electrode30is coupled to the compensation electrode20via a through hole penetrating the insulation layer.

Illustratively, the first notch X is formed in the side surface of the auxiliary electrode30, at least a part of the first notch X extends in a direction parallel to the substrate10, and an orthogonal projection of the first notch X onto the substrate10is of an H-like shape.

Illustratively, the light-emitting functional layer40includes a light-emitting functional layer40capable of emitting white light. During the manufacture, the light-emitting functional layer40is entirely evaporated, and it is interrupted at the first notch X to expose a part of the auxiliary electrode30at the first notch X.

Illustratively, the cathode layer50is formed on the one of the light-emitting functional layer40away from the substrate10, and it is coupled to the exposed auxiliary electrode30at the first notch X. Illustratively, the cathode layer50is made of an indium zinc oxide such that the cathode layer50has high mobility and controllable resistivity.

According to the display substrate manufactured by the method in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first notch X is formed in the side surface of the auxiliary electrode30, and the organic light-emitting functional layer is interrupted at the first notch X to expose a part of the auxiliary electrode30at the first notch X, so that the subsequently-formed cathode layer50is coupled to the auxiliary electrode30at the first notch X, thereby to enable the cathode layer to be indirectly coupled to the compensation electrode20. Hence, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the cathode layer50is coupled to the compensation electrode20through the auxiliary electrode30, so as to reduce a resistance, as well as an IR drop, of the cathode layer50.

Furthermore, the light-emitting functional layer40has a weak diffusion ability and the cathode layer50has a strong diffusion ability, after the light-emitting functional layer40has been interrupted at the first notch X, it is able to expose a part of the auxiliary electrode30at the first notch X. In addition, when the cathode layer50has a strong diffusion ability, it is able to achieve well coupling performance of the cathode layer50with the exposed auxiliary electrode30at the first notch X. Hence, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is able to ensure an overlapping success rate between the cathode layer50and the auxiliary cathode, thereby to effectively reduce the IR drop of the cathode layer50.

In addition, at least a part of the first notch X extends in the direction parallel to the substrate10so as to provide a large contact area between the cathode layer50and the auxiliary electrode30at the first notch X, thereby to further ensure the overlapping success rate between the cathode layer50and the auxiliary cathode, and effectively reduce the IR drop of the cathode layer50.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the display substrate further includes a data line Data. The forming the compensation electrode20on the substrate10includes forming the compensation electrode20and the data line Data through a single patterning process.

Specifically, a conductive layer is made of a conductive material, and a photoresist is applied to one side of the conductive layer away from the substrate10. Next, the photoresist is exposed to form a photoresist reserved region and a photoresist unreserved region. The photoresist reserved region corresponds to a region where the compensation electrode20and the data line Data are arranged, and the photoresist unreserved region corresponds to the other regions. Then, the photoresist at the photoresist unreserved region is developed so as to remove the photoresist at the photoresist unreserved region, and the conductive layer is etched with the photoresist at the photoresist remaining region as a mask to form the compensation electrode20and the data line Data. Finally, the remaining photoresist is removed.

As mentioned above, the compensation electrode20and the data line Data are formed simultaneously through a single patterning process, so it is able to effectively simplify the manufacturing process of the display substrate and reduce the manufacture cost of the display substrate.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the forming the auxiliary electrode30on the side of the compensation electrode20away from the substrate10includes: forming the first electrode layer301, the first electrode layer301being coupled to the compensation electrode20; forming a second electrode material layer and a third electrode material layer laminated one on another on one side of the first electrode layer301away from the substrate10, and patterning the second electrode material layer and the third electrode material layer simultaneously to form the second electrode layer302and the third electrode layer303. The first notch X is formed between the first electrode layer301and the third electrode layer303.

Illustratively, the first electrode layer301and the third electrode layer303are both made of indium tin oxide, and the second electrode layer302is made of aluminum.

Illustratively, the first electrode layer301is formed through one patterning process, and the second electrode layer302and the third electrode layer303are simultaneously formed through another patterning process.

Illustratively, the second electrode layer302and the third electrode layer303are specifically formed as follows.

A second electrode material layer and a third electrode material layer are laminated one on another on a side of the first electrode layer301away from the substrate10. Next, a photoresist is applied onto a side of the third electrode material layer away from the substrate10, and then exposed to form a photoresist reserved region and a photoresist unreserved region. The photoresist reserved region corresponds to a region where the third electrode layer303is arranged and the photoresist unreserved region corresponds to the other region. Then, the photoresist at the photoresist unreserved region is developed and removed, and the second electrode material layer and the third electrode material layer are etched with the photoresist at the photoresist reserved region as a mask. The second electrode material layer is etched at an etching rate different from the third electrode material layer, so a boundary of the third electrode layer303goes beyond a boundary of the second electrode layer302in the direction parallel to the substrate10. In this way, it is able to form the first notch X between the first electrode layer301and the third electrode layer303.

Illustratively, the second electrode layer302has a thickness of 3000 Å and 8000 Å in a direction perpendicular to the substrate10, with endpoints inclusive. Illustratively, as shown inFIG.1, a thickness H2of the second electrode layer302is greater than a thickness H1of the light-emitting functional layer40in the direction perpendicular to the substrate10, so as to enable the light-emitting functional layer40to be interrupted at the first notch X.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, when the auxiliary electrode30includes the first electrode layer301, the second electrode layer302and the third electrode layer303and the spacer region is formed between the light-emitting functional layer40and the second electrode layer302, it is able for the cathode layer50to overlap the first electrode layer301at the spacer region, thereby to enable the cathode layer50to be coupled to the compensation electrode20.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the display substrate further includes the anode layer80, the anode layer includes a plurality of anode patterns, and each anode pattern includes a first anode sub-pattern, a second anode sub-pattern, and a third anode sub-pattern laminated one on another in a direction away from the substrate. The forming the first electrode layer301includes forming the first electrode layer301and the first anode sub-pattern simultaneously through a single patterning process, and annealing the first electrode layer. The patterning the second electrode material layer and the third electrode material layer simultaneously to form the second electrode layer and the third electrode layer includes patterning the second electrode material layer and the third electrode material layer simultaneously to form the second anode sub-pattern, the third anode sub-pattern, the second electrode layer and the third electrode layer simultaneously, and forming a second notch between the first anode sub-pattern and the third anode sub-pattern.

Illustratively, the first electrode layer301is annealed after the formation of the first electrode layer301, so as to crystallize the first electrode layer301and avoid the first electrode layer301from being adversely affected during a subsequent process of forming the second electrode layer302and the third electrode layer303.

When the first electrode layer301and the anode layer80are formed a single patterning process, it is able to effectively simplify the manufacturing process of the display substrate and reduce the manufacture cost of the display substrate.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the forming the light-emitting functional layer40on one side of the auxiliary electrode30away from the substrate10includes forming the light-emitting functional layer40through evaporation. A thickness of the light-emitting functional layer40in the direction perpendicular to the substrate10is less than a thickness of the second electrode layer302, the light-emitting functional layer40is interrupted at the first notch X to form the first portion401and the second portion402, the first portion401is arranged at a side of the third electrode layer303away from the substrate10, the second portion402is arranged at a side of the first electrode layer301away from the substrate10, and the spacer region is formed between the second part402and the second electrode layer302arranged at the first notch X.

Illustratively, when forming the light-emitting functional layer40through evaporation, the light-emitting functional layer40is interrupted at the first notch X to form the first portion401and the second portion402. The first portion401is arranged on a side of the third electrode layer303away from the substrate10, at least a part of the second part402is arranged on a surface of the first electrode layer301away from the substrate10, the spacer region is formed between at least a part of the second part402and the second electrode layer302arranged at the first notch X, and the first electrode layer301is exposed at the spacer region.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the forming the cathode layer50on the side of the light-emitting functional layer40away from the substrate10includes forming the cathode layer50on the side of the light-emitting functional layer40away from the substrate10through evaporation using a transparent conductive material. The cathode layer50is coupled to the first electrode layer301at the spacer region.

Illustratively, the cathode layer50is formed through evaporation using indium tin oxide, and it overlaps the first electrode layer301at the spacer region, so that the cathode layer50is coupled to the compensation electrode20through the auxiliary electrode30.

It should be appreciated that, the expression “at a same layer” refers to that the film layers are arranged on a same structural layer. Alternatively, for example, the film layers on a same layer may be layer structures formed through forming thin layers for forming specific patterns through a single film-forming process and then patterning the film layers with a same mask through a single patterning process. Depending on different specific patterns, a single patterning process may include multiple exposure, development or etching processes, and the specific patterns in the layer structure may be continuous or discontinuous. These specific patterns may also be arranged at different levels or have different thicknesses.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the order of the steps is not limited to the serial numbers thereof. For a person skilled in the art, any change in the order of the steps shall also fall within the scope of the present disclosure if without any creative effort.

It should be further appreciated that, the above embodiments have been described in a progressive manner, and the same or similar contents in the embodiments have not been repeated, i.e., each embodiment has merely focused on the difference from the others. Especially, the method embodiments are substantially similar to the product embodiments, and thus have been described in a simple manner.

Unless otherwise defined, any technical or scientific term used herein shall have the common meaning understood by a person of ordinary skills. Such words as “first” and “second” used in the specification and claims are merely used to differentiate different components rather than to represent any order, number or importance. Similarly, such words as “one” or “one of” are merely used to represent the existence of at least one member, rather than to limit the number thereof. Such words as “include” or “including” intends to indicate that an element or object before the word contains an element or object or equivalents thereof listed after the word, without excluding any other element or object. Such words as “connect/connected to” or “couple/coupled to” may include electrical connection, direct or indirect, rather than to be limited to physical or mechanical connection. Such words as “on”, “under”, “left” and “right” are merely used to represent relative position relationship, and when an absolute position of the object is changed, the relative position relationship will be changed too.

It should be appreciated that, in the case that such an element as layer, film, region or substrate is arranged “on” or “under” another element, it may be directly arranged “on” or “under” the other element, or an intermediate element may be arranged therebetween.

In the above description, the features, structures, materials or characteristics may be combined in any embodiment or embodiments in an appropriate manner.

The above embodiments are for illustrative purposes only, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Obviously, a person skilled in the art may make further modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure, and these modifications and improvements shall also fall within the scope of the present disclosure.