Improved Manufacturing Produces Better Polymer Displays.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 1, 2004

High-speed, reproducible and reliable processes, such as roll-to-roll display manufacturing, is proving effective in the fabrication of light-emitting polymers (LEPs).

By using inkjet printing and the silk screening of organic materials, LEPs are able to reduce manufacturing cost through effective material utilization.

"LEPs offer all the advantages of small-molecule technology such as low power consumption and low drive voltages," says Technical Insights analyst Joe Constance. "LEP devices can generate sharp light output or resolution, and can be fabricated cost effectively in high-pixel density configurations," he adds.

Efficient control over structural order in LEPs is required to have an edge over traditional liquid crystal displays. In this regard, polymers that have different band gaps may prove to be a key factor in outplaying competing technologies.

Emission of red, green or blue light is possible with different bands, making full-color displays with conductive LEPs commercially viable. Intense research in this area has enabled poly-phenylene vinylene (PPV) to emit blue light by interrupting conjugation in the polymer with non-conjugated units. Attachment of alkoxy side groups to the phenylene rings of the PPV enables red light production.

A full-color polymer-based display requires pixellating the colors through the combination of different conducting polymers with varying band gaps. The color emitted from the blend will depend on the amount of voltage applied, which increases with the band gap.

An alternative route would be to use white-light-emitting diodes to create a micro-cavity, the length of which determines the color of the emitted light.

Apart from varying band gaps, polymer-based light emitting diodes also face the challenge of increasing operating lifetimes to at least 20,000 hours to popularize commercial usage. When the luminance intensity of the device decreases to 70 percent of the original value, it is considered the actual end of life as opposed to 50 percent referenced for display applications.

"In the area of LEPs, significant research has been in progress to improve material lifetimes both through the use of materials that are resistant to oxidation and through improved encapsulation," explains Constance.

Conducting polymers based on doped polyaniline, conjugated polymer material and polypyrrole are already demonstrating the stability required for commercial applications, proving the potential for growth and wider acceptance in the future.

"Light Emitting Polymers" is part of the Materials and Chemicals Vertical Industry Subscription Service, providing a comprehensive analysis of the impact of recent technological advances of light emitting polymers. The study evaluates upcoming applications such as organic light emitting diodes and liquid crystal displays. Executive summaries and interviews are available to the press.

If you are interested in an analysis overview which provide manufacturers, end-users and other industry participants an overview, summary, challenges and latest coverage of "Light Emitting Polymers," send an e-mail to Julia Paulson, Technical Insights media relations executive, at [e-mail] with the following information: Full name, Company Name, Title, Contact Tel Number, Contact Fax Number, E-mail. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be e-mailed to you.

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"Light Emitting Polymers"

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Keywords in this release: Light emitting polymers, LEPs, small molecule light emitting diodes, SMOLEDs, roll-to-roll display, inkjet printing, silk screening, vacuum vapor deposition, simple monochrome, multi-color passive matrix displays, liquid crystal displays, poly-phenylene vinylene, PPV, band gaps, alkoxy side groups, conjugation, pixellating, white-light-emitting diodes, micro-cavity, photo-oxidation.