Electroluminescent displays

Abstract

This paper reviews the electrical and optical properties of thin-film electroluminescent (EL) displays. An electrical model for thin-film electroluminescent (TFEL) device operation is presented and used to describe the luminance and power in TDEL devices. The luminance-voltage characteristics of a typical TFEL device are shown. The physics responsible for device threshold, charge transport, and optical emission phenomenon is reviewed. The basic material characteristics that are desirable for EL phosphors and a review of the properties of common phosphors and insulator structures are given. Progress in the development of multicolor and full-color EL displays is presented including device structures and phosphor advancements. Key issues faced in manufacturing a reliable commercial product are reviewed. Full-color commercial displays using filtered white phosphor emission and patterned red, green, and blue phosphors are described.