Directional organic light-emitting diodes using photonic microstructure

Abstract

This thesis describes investigations into the optical and device design of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with the aim of exploring the factors controlling the spatial emission pattern of OLEDs and developing novel OLEDs with directional emission by applying wavelength-scale photonic microstructure. The development of directional OLEDs was broken down into two steps: the development of efficient narrow linewidth OLEDs and the integration of wavelength-scale photonic microstructures into narrow linewidth OLEDs. The narrow linewidth OLEDs were developed using europium (Eu) complexes. The electrical optimisation of solution-processed Eu-based OLEDs using commercially available materials was investigated. The optimised Eu-based OLEDs gave an external quantum efficiency of 4.3% at a display brightness of 100 cd/m². To our knowledge, this is the highest efficiency reported for solution-processed Eu-based OLED devices, and the efficiency roll-off has been reduced compared with other reported references. Photonic microstructures were applied to develop directional OLEDs using the efficient Eu-based OLEDs. Two contrasting strategies were used. One was to embed photonic microstructures into Eu-based OLEDs, the other was to couple photonic microstructures externally onto the devices. The microstructured devices developed by the former strategy boosted the emitted power in desired angles in both s- and p-polarisations and doubled the fraction of emission in an angle range of 4⁰. The devices developed by the external coupling strategy achieved even higher directionality and the out-coupled emission was a confined beam with easy control of beam steering. Around 90% of the emitted power was confined in an angular range of 20⁰ in the detection plane. The optical properties can be optimised independently without compromising the electrical properties of devices, which gives major advantages in terms of effectiveness and versatility. Optical models were also developed to investigate the out-coupling mechanism of various trapped modes and develop OLEDs with stronger directionality.