White Organic Light‐Emitting Devices for Solid‐State Lighting

TLDR

White organic light‑emitting devices have progressed over the last decade to become efficient solid‑state lighting sources, surpassing incandescent lamps in power efficiency through improved architectures, novel materials, and electrophosphorescent emitters. This review compares WOLED architectures in terms of efficiency and color quality and identifies obstacles to their widespread adoption as solid‑state lighting sources. The authors analyze device architectures and evaluate performance metrics and barriers to adoption.

Abstract

Abstract White organic light‐emitting devices (WOLEDs) have advanced over the last twelve years to the extent that these devices are now being considered as efficient solid‐state lighting sources. Initially, WOLEDs were targeted towards display applications for use primarily as liquid‐crystal display backlights. Now, their power efficiencies have surpassed those of incandescent sources due to improvements in device architectures, synthesis of novel materials, and the incorporation of electrophosphorescent emitters. This review discusses the advantages and disadvantages of several WOLED architectures in terms of efficiency and color quality. Hindrances to their widespread acceptance as solid‐state lighting sources are also noted.