News Release
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Epson Develops Long-life OLED Display System Capable of Reproducing
"the Ultimate Black"

- TOKYO, Japan, October 15, 2007 -
OLED Displays: Better
Than Plasma Or LCD
Seiko Epson Corporation ("Epson") has developed an organic
light-emitting diode ("OLED") display system capable of producing "the
ultimate black." Having resolved the problem of achieving long life for
the device, a longstanding challenge with OLED, Epson has put into
operation a manufacturing line for small-scale production of OLED for
practical applications. Epson will exhibit this new OLED display system
at FPD International 2007, an international exhibition of display
technologies to be held at Pacifico Yokohama from October 24. This new
technology by Epson offers a new solution that makes effective use of
advanced image representation not possible with conventional flat panel
displays (FPD).
The light emitting capabilities of OLED displays make possible such
features as high contrast, wide viewing angles, and fast response times.
In addition, the display can be made very thin and lightweight, making
this new device a promising candidate for next-generation flat panel
displays. However, in order to make the device viable for practical
applications, it was critical to find a solution to a number of
technical problems, including how to give the device a longer life.
As high-quality image representation lies at the heart of OLED displays,
above and beyond what is possible with conventional flat panel displays,
Epson determined that this was precisely the feature the company should
pursue. To realize the requisite high-quality representation of
textures, Epson has been uncompromising in its efforts to achieve "the
ultimate black", since it is black that holds the key to overall image
quality. Furthermore, the problem of early stage brightness
deterioration, until now a major obstacle to extending the life of the
device, was solved by improving the light-emitting materials and through
the development of Epson's own original element structure. As a result,
Epson was successful in lengthening the life of the device to more than
50,000 hours*1, a level appropriate for practical
application. Future plans call for Epson to develop various displays
with OLED systems for different uses, and study their potential for
commercialization.
Epson has already installed and commenced operations of a development
and manufacturing line that is capable of small-scale production at its
Fujimi Plant in Nagano prefecture, Japan.
From now on, Epson will accelerate its efforts to develop uses for OLED
display systems that make use of advanced image representation and
nurture them into businesses.
For an overview of FPD International 2007, where the new OLED display
system will be exhibited,
please see below.
*1 Brightness half-life
Outline of OLED display system
|
Screen size |
20.3-cm diagonal (8 inches) |
|
Number of pixels |
800 x 480 (W x H) |
|
Brightness |
200 cd/m2 |
|
Contrast ratio |
100,000 : 1 or greater |
OLED Displays: Better
Than Plasma Or LCD
Overview of FPD International
2007
-
Event title: FPD
International 2007
-
Events:
Comprehensive exhibition and forum of flat panel displays and related
manufacturing equipment, components, and materials.
-
Dates: October 24
(Wed.) to 26 (Fri.), 2007 10:00-17:00
-
Venue: Pacifico
Yokohama Exhibition Hall (Yokohama, Kanagawa)
-
Organizer: Nikkei
Business Publications, Inc.
|
|
MUNICH, Germany — The Institute for applied photo physics at the Dresden
Technical University achieved a new record in operational stability of
organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs).
The
devices exhibit an extrapolated lifetime up to 10 million hours at 100
cd/m2 initial luminance, which corresponds to the brightness of a
computer screen. This lifetime equals to more than 1100 years.
Karsten Walzer, head of the OLED development team, says: “The record
OLED, driven by a supply voltage of 2.82 V for 100 cd/m2, reaches 57%
internal quantum efficiency which corresponds to a current efficiency of
9.4 cd/A at this luminance. Technologically, the device relies on a
broad emission zone, on efficient exciton confinement by using charge
carrier and exciton blocking layers, and on the combination of
well-chosen ultrastable materials. The combination of these measures is
the essence for the high stability of these OLEDs”

|