University of California (UC) scientists have designed OLEDs that accelerate Ir radiative decay via an interaction of the chromophore with two-dimensional oscillations of electronic density arising from surface plasmon polaritons (SP) in metal structures. Although SP-assisted acceleration of Ir radiative decay requires a difficult balancing of several dynamical processes the UC scientists developed two successful design strategies for meeting this challenge. Applications: OLEDs have the potential to revolutionize flat panel and other thin-film information displays. Ease of processibility light weight low power consumption resistance to shock and use of inexpensive materials and fabrication techniques gives OLEDs a strong competitive position in this market with this invention further strengthening OLED\'s advantages. Recent studies suggest that OLEDs will replace LCDs within a few years as the dominant display technology in devices which could have sales on the order of tens of billions of dollars per year. Other optoelectronic and lighting applications might also benefit from improved OLED technology.
This invention offers two practical approaches for SP-assisted acceleration of Ir decay with potentially significant improvements in OLED brightness.