Getting all the Light Out: Eliminating Plasmon Losses in High Efficiency (Final Report)

Forrest, Stephen R.

doi:10.2172/1577985

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DOE OSTI · 1577985

Getting all the Light Out: Eliminating Plasmon Losses in High Efficiency (Final Report)

Forrest, Stephen R.

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Abstract

In this program we demonstrated three cost-effective and practical means for extracting light from an organic light emitting diode (OLED) based lighting fixture. Conventional OLEDs emit only 20% of the light produced in their active regions due to light trapping and losses of the light incident on metal contacts. Our methods for light extraction, that eliminate both of these substantial losses, include placement of a grid-mirror at the substrate side of top-emitting OLEDs, using an ultralow cost diffusing surface at the substrate side of top-emitting OLEDs, and employing high index of refraction sub-electrode microlens arrays (SEMLA). All of these methods result in light emission that is wavelength and viewing angle independent, does not interfere with the OLED structure itself, and is of potentially low cost. By combining the SEMLA solution with substrate outcoupling such as microlens arrays or index matching fluid, up to 70% of the light can be extracted from the OLEDs, thus meeting all of the program objectives. Furthermore, the solutions have been transferred to the industrial sector where efforts at commercialization are underway with the continued involvement of the inventors.

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Forrest, Stephen R.. 2019-12-10. Getting all the Light Out: Eliminating Plasmon Losses in High Efficiency (Final Report). https://doi.org/10.2172/1577985

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