Low Energy Electron Degradation of Poly(p-phenylenevinylene)

Abstract

Quenching of the electroluminescence of polymer LEDs by the application of an aluminum protective layer by electron-beam evaporation has been investigated. It is shown that the secondary electrons present whenever the electron beam is on are responsible for the degradation. The Figure illustrates how the poly (p-phenylene vinylene) device was masked to rule out the involvement of X-rays.