Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE · 2001 · 197 citations · 0 references
Natural SciencesMaterials EngineeringMaterials SciencePolymer ChemistryPolymer EngineeringThin FilmsBarrier PropertiesDisplay TechnologiesMoisture ProtectionMoisture-resistant MaterialsPolymer StabilityPolymer Thin FilmsBarrier CoatingsBarrier Film StabilityDisplay ApplicationsFlexible DisplaysGas PermeationPolymer CoatingsPolymer-based CoatingsTransparent Conductive Oxides
We describe a flexible, transparent plastic substrate for OLED display applications. A flexible, composite thin film barrier is deposited under vacuum onto commercially available polymers, restricting moisture and oxygen permeation rates to undetectable levels using conventional permeation test equipment. The barrier is deposited under vacuum in a process compatible with conventional roll- coating technology. The film is capped with a thin film of transparent conductive oxide yielding an engineered substrate (BarixTM) for next generation, rugged, lightweight or flexible OLED displays. Preliminary tests indicate that the substrate is sufficiently impermeable to moisture and oxygen for application to moisture-sensitive display applications, such as organic light emitting displays, and is stable in pure oxygen to 200 degrees Celsius.