Improving the viewing angle properties of microcavity OLEDs by using dispersive gratings

Abstract

The changes of emission peak wavelength and angular intensity with viewing angles have been issues for the use of microcavity OLEDs. We will investigate Distributed Bragg Gratings (DBRs) constructed from largely dispersive index materials for reducing the viewing angle dependence. A DBR stack mirror, aiming at a symmetric structure and less number of grating period for a practical fabrication, is studied to achieve a chirp-featured grating for OLEDs with blue emission peak of 450nm. For maximizing the compensation of the viewing angle dependence, the effects of dispersive index, grating structure, thickness of each layer of the grating, grating period and chirp will be comprehensively investigated. The contributions of TE and TM modes to the angular emission power will be analyzed for the grating optimization, which have not been expressed in detail. In studying the light emission of OLEDs, we will investigate the Purcell effect which is important but has not been properly considered. Our results show that with a proper design of the DBR, not only a wider viewing angle can be achieved but also the color purity of OLEDs can be improved. © 2007 Optical Society of America.