Physics and applications of organic microcavity light emitting diodes

Abstract

The important changes produced on the electroluminescence characteristics of organic materials due to planar microcavity effects are examined in detail. The photon density of states is redistributed such that only certain wavelengths, which correspond to allowed cavity modes, are emitted in a given direction. This enables us to realize color selectivity over a large wavelength (and color coordinate) range with broadband emitters such as 8-hydroxyquinoline aluminum (Alq), and intensity enhancement in narrow band emitters. The intensity enhancement in Alq-based cavity light emitting diodes (LEDs) is extensively evaluated both experimentally and theoretically. The design considerations for and device characteristics of a novel multiple emissive layer LED are also described. © 1996 American Institute of Physics.